Emily Rudofsky, a junior at High School South who organized a student-run drama group at the school, directed a benefit production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” the weekend of May 4 and 5 raised more than $1,”300 for ASPEN, a New Jersey-based organization which supports parents of children with Aspergers syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders.
Rudofsky chose ASPEN as her charity based on conversations with her mother, a pediatric occupational therapist, her own personal experiences with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and the recent media focus on the high incidence of autism. High School South teacher Barbara Jetton spoke about ASPEN and about the prevalence of autism to the audience.
Last year Rudofsky’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” benefited Hudson’s Hope Foundation. She is planning to enter a college theater program with a major in directing.