Santa Fe Christian University's theater department donates to American Autism Foundation – San Diego Union-Tribune

Last month, Santa Fe Christian's theater program presented its summer show, “The Curious Incident of Christopher Boone.” It was an evening of excitement, laughter and fun at the theater.

The show offers a unique perspective on protagonist Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy diagnosed with an unknown neurodevelopmental disorder, as he investigates the murder of the neighbor's dog. As the crime mystery unfolds, so do the mysteries surrounding his unknown condition, according to a press release.

The path to the stage was one of careful thought and deep understanding. Director Matt Corsaro sought advice from Katie Pratt, Santa Fe Christian's director of academic support, before planning the production.

“I wanted to get some insight from her on how to approach this material,” Corsaro explained in the press release. “My main takeaway from this meeting was that it is so important to know that everyone is created perfect by God. We are gifts from God and He is honored to use all of our skills, talents and abilities to share His love with those around us.”

This message resonated with the cast and crew. The students, already passionate about their craft, found a deeper meaning in their performance. They wanted to do more than just tell a story – they wanted to make a difference.

In honor of Corsaro, students donated to the American Autism Foundation in his name. Students were overjoyed to support a foundation that directly supports families with autistic children in need.

“This show was a very educational experience for both us as performers and for the people who watched the show about people with autism,” said Duncan Shuck, a senior at SFC, in the press release. “Before each show, we sat in a circle and told stories about how different people who had seen the show were touched by it and inspired to take action. I even heard one student say that she wanted to be a special education teacher because of this show.”

“As seniors, we were very proud of it, but we wanted to do something with everything we had learned over the course of this show, and we wanted to thank our amazing director for not only having the courage to do such an important show, but for doing it so well.”