GRoW @ The Wallis is very proud to provide an artistic home for The Miracle Project, a performing arts program for young people with autism and all abilities. On May 30, 2018 we presented highlights from our latest original musical – “185 Wilshire: A Love Story” – for students at Beverly Hills High School in their Salter Family Theater. After the performance, Miracle Project Founder Elaine Hall asked one of the actors – Michael Anthony Greenfield – to share his story.
Michael Anthony took the microphone with confidence and told the audience of his journey. He first experienced The Miracle Project on a field trip to The Wallis. He came with his middle school to see a student matinee production of another original musical – “The Intimidation Game,” a show about the bullying young people with autism must often endure. He was so moved and inspired that he sent a lengthy hand-written letter expressing how much the show meant for him. He looked up to the cast as “celebrities” and was anxious to meet them and have his photo taken with them. His wish came true when his family brought him to “Stephanie’s Day,” a celebration of young people with disabilities hosted by KCBS on their lot in Studio City.
After meeting up with performers from The Miracle Project at “Stephanie’s Day,” Michael Anthony and his family learned more about the program and signed up for him to join our summer musical theater camp with The Miracle Project. That led him to other classes and ultimately to a role in “Work in Progress,” an original musical about the challenges young people face once they graduate from high school. Since then he has been a consistent presence in our classes and shows.
That morning he shared how The Miracle Project had helped transform him. He had been withdrawn and fearful as a result of being bullied and judged. When he first began classes at The Wallis he was reluctant to speak out and connect with others. He now has confidence and takes pride in his talents as a writer and actor. His ideas helped shape the themes and focus of our current show. After the show this morning, KCBS television reporter Jo Kwon asked if she could interview Michael Anthony. Without hesitation, he sat down with her and engaged in an extended conversation.
Everyone’s experience with autism is different and each journey is unique. Not every shy middle schooler becomes a confident actor. But Michael Anthony’s journey reminds us we need to resist the temptation to ever judge someone based on a first impression. Instead, we must “look a little deeper, try a little harder.”