Any Dream Will Do Allows Special Needs Students To Shine on Stage

Submitted by Any Dream Will Do

When you see Cole Smith stand on stage and sing, there’s no doubt in your mind: this is a kid who loves music and loves performing.

The talented 15-year-old shows no fear when he steps into the spotlight, but for many teenagers like him, performance opportunities are few and far between.

Cole is on the autism spectrum, and in a world where teenagers are inundated with extracurricular activities, teens with autism and other special needs are often left out.

That’s the problem that Jamie George and her team at The George Center for Music Therapy, Inc. set out to fix when they launched their Any Dream Will Do performing arts group in fall 2012.

Now in its third year, the Any Dream Will Do group is preparing for their annual performance, which is set for Friday, April 17.

Any Dream Will Do will present ”Free to Be” at the Atlanta Workshop Players Theater, which is at 8560 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.

The show will start at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, so you must reserve a seat online!

The group is made up of children and teens aged from 11 to 17 years old, and each student has a developmental disability. Some have autism, others Down syndrome, as well as other developmental and neurological disorders.

But in this group, that’s not important. In this group, they get to show off their talents.

Over the last seven months, the 20 students, along with board-certified music therapists and volunteers, have been preparing a Broadway-style performance featuring singing, dancing, acting and instrument play. This year’s performance includes drum solos, acrobatic performances, beautiful Broadway solos, pop music dances and more.

For the parents of these children, it’s an opportunity to see their kids shine. All too often, these moments are denied students with special needs in schools and community groups.

For more information, please contact Jamie George at jamie@thegeorgecenter.com. All participants have audio visual releases on file.

Photo credit: Any Dream Will Do