Your Broadway Debut in Arts for Autism - 4 days

Welcome to New York City! Upon arrival, you will meet your Tour Manager and drive into the heart of Manhattan. Your first stop will be an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Radio City Music Hall. With an insider's view of one of New York's more iconic entertainment venues, you'll be amazed to see the inner workings of the place where the biggest names in show business perform. During the tour you'll meet and chat with a Rockette!

This afternoon you will meet with the Arts for Autism show director and Artistic Director and have an individual 90-minute rehearsal session just for your performing group.

After dinner, you'll participate in the Believe NYC program, a show and workshop. First, you'll see a forty-five minute one-woman show that tells the true story of a young girl's journey to get to New York in pursuit of a career on stage. Next, you'll participate in a in a one hour workshop of your choice taught by industry professionals and Broadway performers. The program ends with a Q&A session with those leading the program.

After breakfast, you'll have a show rehearsal with the directors and some of the Broadway professionals in the show.

After rehearsal, you'll participate in a short orientation led by a representative of Autism Speaks. They will teach you a little bit about autism and what they do for people affected by the disorder. They will explain the impact you're making on their community, and what you can expect as a performer performing for an audience that may have autistic children and adults.

After lunch this afternoon, you will head back to the theatre district to see the current running Broadway show running on the very same stage you will be performing the next day.

You will enjoy dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner where the wait staff will entertain you as they sing popular show tunes while serving you dinner. (depending on availability)

Tonight you are in for a real treat as you ascend 70 floors to the observatory at the Top of the Rock where you'll enjoy a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline.

After breakfast, you will attend an orientation at the theatre where you will be performing. While the technicians work on lighting and sound, you'll hear about the schedule for the day and begin to prepare for the afternoon rehearsal. You will also have an opportunity to walk the stage and traffic patterns for the show. 

After lunch, everyone will participate in a full technical dress rehearsal at the theatre for the evening's performance. During the afternoon, all student groups will come together with Broadway cast members for one final rehearsal. Students will rehearse their own piece as well as get the opportunity to observe the other performing schools, Broadway actors, directors, music directors, choreographers, lighting and sound designers collaborate. Not only will students get a behind the scenes look at putting on a show in a Broadway theatre, they'e also the biggest part of it! 

Enjoy dinner tonight with the cast of a Broadway show! They will join you to eat and converse in small groups so you can get to know them and hear their stories. There will be one cast member for every ten people at dinner.

After dinner, you will return to the theatre and perform in the evening's Arts For Autism benefit concert. Your group will perform its own number and get to watch some of Broadway's biggest stars in this inspiring evening!

After breakfast this morning, you will depart from the South Street Seaport and cruise around NY Harbor for an hour. You'll get an up close view of the Statue of Liberty as you cruise through the harbor.

Back on land, you'll head to the 9/11 Memorial located at the footprint of the former Twin Towers. The memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. The pools sit within the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood.

Your final stop will be Chinatown and Little Italy where you'll have some free time to explore, shop, and eat.

Your New York City adventure comes to a close as you begin your return trip home.