When the curtain rose on Seussical Jr., Abby was ready. With her colorful feathers shimmering under the spotlight, she stepped into the role of Mazie LaBird, strutting with confidence that had been years in the making. “I always get a little nervous before performing,” she shares, “but after the show I always feel good because I had such a blast.” That journey — from nervous to fearless, from practicing lines to taking bows — reflects the heart of Variety’s Performing Arts Program: empowering kids with the confidence to shine.
Abby has always been drawn to the arts. “I’ve been an artsy person for years,” she says, recalling her early interests in dance, drawing, singing, and eventually theatre. That passion blossomed even further when she found her place at Variety. She began as a camper in 2019 and soon discovered the stage through Variety’s Performing Arts programs, joining ensemble casts before stepping into featured roles like Crush the Turtle in Finding Nemo Jr. and, most recently, Mazie LaBird in Seussical Jr. Along the way, she has also been part of Variety’s Chorus and Dance programs, continuing to build her skills while making lasting friendships.
Her family quickly saw how much Abby was blossoming, both on and off the stage. Her mother, Shannon, remembers those early days as pivotal. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and speech/language delays at a young age, Abby worked hard through years of therapies. Still, she often felt shy or hesitant in social settings. Shannon noticed something change when Abby first took the stage: “It was like a light switch. Abby was very quiet and shy until you put a costume and a spotlight on her. I believe her success and the support she has received through Variety has really kept her going.”
I definitely have gotten more confident because of the performing arts. When I first meet someone I’m usually kind of quiet, but now I’ve started talking to people more. The performing arts have helped me practice those skills.”
Through each rehearsal and production, Abby has grown in ways that go far beyond the stage. “I definitely have gotten more confident because of the performing arts,” she says. “When I first meet someone I’m usually kind of quiet, but now I’ve started talking to people more. The performing arts have helped me practice those skills.” Abby has also found herself becoming a source of encouragement for others. “If someone is upset during rehearsals, I make sure they’re all right and give them a hug. I have a strong belief in community.”
When asked what she loves most about performing, Abby doesn’t hesitate: “I really enjoy telling the story, through singing, dancing, even acting with your voice. It’s helped me grow as a performer and as a person. It’s given me lifetime friends.” That sense of connection extends beyond the cast to the inclusive spirit of Variety’s partnerships. “I love the diversity of the collaboration,” she adds of the productions with COCA. “It lets everyone from different backgrounds come together to perform and make this story together.”
That inclusivity is especially meaningful to Abby, who wishes more people understood that disabilities don’t define a person. “Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they are different from a person. They are still a person no matter what. The world would be boring if every person was the same.” Her words echo one of the central messages of Seussical Jr.: “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” And like the lessons woven into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss, Abby’s story is proof that anything is possible.
Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they are different from a person. They are still a person no matter what. The world would be boring if every person was the same.
Today, Abby is charting a new path as a college freshman while still holding onto her love of the stage. She’s excited about her future in the arts, whether through animation or performance, and carries the confidence she has gained at Variety into every new challenge. She is also deeply grateful to those who make Variety’s programs possible. “I used to feel alone, but every time I go to Variety, I get reminded that I’m not alone,” Abby says. “I want to thank the donors for supporting Variety. Their support really helps kids with disabilities like me.”
From her first ensemble role to stepping into the spotlight as Mazie LaBird, Abby has grown not only as a performer, but as a confident young woman ready to take on new stages in life. The arts have given her more than a chance to perform — they’ve given her a place to belong, to grow, and to shine. That transformation is only possible because of the generosity of Variety’s supporters. With your help, more kids with disabilities will continue to find their confidence, their voice, and their place in the spotlight.
