Gallery Of Heroes

Gena Sims at screening of The Voice Inside showing

Gena Sims

Gena Sims has grown ATP from a high school community service project into a groundbreaking production company. She created ATP’s drama workshop program while at New World School of the Arts. Gena then studied musical theater at Carnegie Mellon University, where she created ATP’s first production, “In the Life of a Child,” inspired by her sister on the spectrum

As a performer, Gena has starred in an original Off-Broadway musical, been featured on-screen at international film festivals, won the National Society of Arts & Letters drama competition (now an ATP sponsor), and worked professionally as a singer, including on Oprah Winfrey’s tour.

In response to the pandemic, Gena built a community of committed ATP artists through virtual workshops and rehearsals. This collaborative effort led to ATP’s latest production, “The Voice Inside”. Gena currently sits on the boards of renowned producer Maritza Casiano’s Autism Paradise and CCDAPR.

Why she is in the gallery of heros?

While still in high school, Gena Sims created a drama workshop program to give autistic people a way to express their voice. She was inspired by her sister, an autistic person with limited speech. Founder of the Autism Theater Project. She has built a community of autistic actors, writers, musicians, interns, educators.

Gena Sims with cast and crew of The Voice Inside

Trailer for autism series