In our efforts to deepen the impact of the programs we offer through GRoW @ The Wallis, we are always looking for ways to build connections among our varied offerings. People who join us for one program have a chance to learn about our other efforts, often in adjoining classrooms in our Education Wing.
Jack Zager, a 2019 graduate of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, joined The Wallis in 2016 as a student in our course Creating Musical Theater: A Collaborative Lab. He and his writing partners have developed some wonderful original musicals. Along the way, Jack learned about The Miracle Project, the performing arts program we host for young people with autism and all abilities.
Jack loved his experiences with The Miracle Project and became a valued volunteer and co-actor. In early 2019 Jack decided to recruit some of his high school classmates to visit The Miracle Project class. His friends were hooked and travelled across Los Angeles to The Wallis every Tuesday to help develop and rehearse an original musical called “Identity.” Rhiannon Lewis, Jack’s partner in the creating musical course performed a key role in the Miracle Project show and contributed an original song. His other high school friends created a video that became part of The Miracle Project show.
Meanwhile, in writing their own show, Jack and Rhiannon wanted to share their interest and concern for people with autism. Their experiences with The Miracle Project led them to create a character in their show with autism. Their first choice to perform that role was one of the actors they met in The Miracle Project. They also consulted with Miracle Project founder Elaine Hall to make sure their portrayal was accurate and sensitive about how people with autism are represented on stage.
As we continue to invest in the growth of young people as artists, it is so gratifying to see them also grow as empathetic, generous and caring people.
