Since 2011, Alex has taken his friends with disabilities to Broadway shows at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. For many, its the first time they have seen a theater production and it always proves to be full of magic and joy. Here are some highlights from the shows.
Wicked
In Summer 2025, the Overture Center is bringing Wicked to Madison and we plan to be there in full force. It’s going to be exciting to see this favorite.
Cinderella
In February 2025 we are taking a group to see Cinderella put on by Children’s Theatre Madison (CTM).
Shrek the Musical, JR
In 2024 we took a group to see the Penguin Project’s version of Shrek the Musical, JR. We were excited to support a fellow organization in our city that serves those with disabilities and gives them opportunities to shine.
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Our group
Alex Haunty got to pose with some of the Shrek actors!
Lion King
In 2023, we also took Inspiring Hope artists to see The Lion King, at the Overture Center. Afterwards, we gathered in the Promenade Room for a special afterparty hosted by Ed and Toni Deutschlander.
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The Inspiring Hope artists group
Peter Pan
In April 2023 we took the Inspiring Hope artists to see the Children’s Theater of Madison’s production of Peter Pan. It was a more intimate setting and so much fun to see Peter Pan flying above us.
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The Inspiring Hope artists group
Newsies
In May 2022, we took the Inspiring Hope artists to Newsies at Middleton Highschool.
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The group we took to Newsies
Hairspray
February 2022. we took the Inspiring Hope artists and the Middleton Highschool Transition Program to Hairspray at the Overture Center.
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The Inspiring Hope artists.
The Middleton Highschool Transition Program.
Freaky Friday
In May 2022, we took the Edgewood Cutting Edge Alumni to see Freaky Friday put on by Children's Theater of Madison.
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The group we took to Freaky Friday
Mockingbird
In 2020, we brought individuals and teachers to Mockingbird, a play done by Children’s Theater of Madison which featured a main character on the autism spectrum. Alex Haunty was part of a presentation after Mockingbird, talking about his own journey with his disability.
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The group we took to Mockingbird
Hamilton
In November 2019, we took alumni of the Cutting Edge program of Edgewood College and also to the transition students of MHS to see Hamilton.
The group we took to Hamilton
The King and I
In late February/early March 2019, I took two groups of friends with disabilities to see The King and I. This year Inspiring Hope Ministries had a workshop where we learned the song "Getting To Know You" and we performed it at a reception for the play.
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The Inspiring Hope Ministries group singing "Getting to Know You" at the reception
February 27, 2019 with friends from ArtWorking
March 3, 2019 with group from Middleton Highschool Transition Group
Nutcracker
In late 2018, we took the Inspiring Hope Group to the beautiful Nutcracker at the Overture Center.
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Les Misérables
In April 2018, I took friends from Madison West Highschool and Lov Dane with their helpers to attend Les Misérables. Afterwards several of the actors came to talk with us. It was very inspiring as they shared what the story meant to them.
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American in Paris
In March 2018, I took new groups and friends with their helpers to attend attend American in Paris at the Overture Center.
Show MoreAfterwards we had a party and several of the actors came to talk with us and answer questions. We had a great time.
Here is our whole group. (Click to see larger)
The Phantom of the Opera
In January 2017, I took two groups of friends and encouragers to one of my favorite shows, The Phantom of the Opera. I got surprised at the Jan. 29 show when John Sofflets of NCB-15 gave me the January "Making a Difference Award." That was so fun! See the video.
Cinderella
In October 2016, AHTAFI took 56 people from both the MHS Transition program and LOV- Dane to see Cinderella.
Show MoreWe used the “ball” idea to host another reception, this time after the show. The party was enjoyed by all and added to the depth and learning of the theater experience. It was unanimously decided to try to add this feature to all of our events in the future.
The Reception
Our Group
The Lion King
In June 2016, Alex took over 150 friends and encouragers from Middleton's Transiton program, LOV-Dane and ArtWorking to The Lion King.
Show MoreThis year we were able to take 2 groups and some of the cast chatted with each group after the performance in a "Talk Back." We also had, for the first time, a reception for everyone at the Overture Center before the show. It was great!
ArtWorking and Lov Dane Group
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
In November 2014 Alex took 64 people from Middleton's Transiton program, from the Cutting Edge program, and some AHTAFI encouragers to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.
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Everyone from the Cutting Edge program really liked it and had a blast. One person told Alex that it was the best musical ever. Alex had fun too and said, "When the music started playing it felt to me like you were seeing it on Broadway in New York."
After the show Alex got to meet Joseph (Ace Young) and the Narrator (Diana DeGarmo)
Sister Act
In January 2014, Alex took 36 friends with the "Cutting Edge" program from Edgewood College, including classmates, teachers and new supporters, to see Sister Act at the Overture Center.
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Mary Poppins
In March 2013, Alex had his first ever art exhibition. He had the idea to use his art to raise money for the theater arts fund so he could take friends to see Mary Poppins. (See Alex's art website)
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Fifty percent of the proceeds from the art show and its products went toward this fund so he would share his love of the arts with his friends.
With the money he made from selling art and cards, he took 65 friends from "Best Buddies" of Middleton Highschool to see Mary Poppins at the Overture Center for Arts in Madison, WI.It was alot of fun and Alex got to meet "Bert" (Con O'Shea-Creal) personally after the show. He was Alex's favorite character from the play!
Beauty and the Beast
In December 2011, Alex received an "I See You" Award from the Zieman Corporation of WI because of his involvement with Best Buddies at Middleton High School.
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Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to one-on-one friendships with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With the award money Alex created the Alex Haunty's Theatre & Arts Fund so his classmates with special needs could have access to the arts like he has had. The article from the Middleton Times newspaper talks about when he took his friends to Beauty and the Beast.
