San Diego Youth Theater Group Celebrating Diversity

Theater is a wonderful way to see fantasy stories come to life and is a joy for those involved and those watching. One San Diego youth theater group has taken to celebrating inclusivity and diversity in their upcoming show.

Maraya Performing Arts is presenting “Disney Descendants: The Musical” with three cast members who are on the spectrum. The musical is about the children of some of Disney’s most prevalent animated villains. The cast is made up of 22 members with ages ranging from 4 to 16.

Brothers AJ Gange, 12, and Eddie Gange, 13, are two of the cast memebers. Eddie was diagnosed with autism at age three and did not have the same opportunities to perform in theater like his brother before. Now the two will be able to share the stage for this wonderful performance. Another cast member, Julian Pesqueira, also has been on the spectrum.

Maraya Performing Arts partnered with KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy for this show. Maraya-Ramey is the director and choreographer for this show. The actors will be taking advantage of both indoor and outdoor spaces as the audience watches them perform.

The performance will be held at KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy’s campus starting March 4 though the 11. On Fridays and Saturdays, the show will begin at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, from Friday through March 13.

For more information on the show and to get tickets please visit marayaarts.com.

Good luck to the actors from the American Autism Association team. Break a leg!