ATLANTA -- Eleven year old Danielle Soibelman is part of the cast of the national touring show, Shrek the musical, at the Fox this week. Hours before she takes the stage, she visits the Orion School, a school for special needs children with social and emotional challenges like Asperber's and ADHD.
A blond haired girl with the shoulder length bob stared wide-eyed at Soibelman.
Soibelman asks the small group, "Are you ready to try it?"
The blond girl yells, "Yeah!" She lifts her arms triumphantly above her head and shrieks, "Wooo!"
This girl is in the middle of a classroom lesson, but she's having too much fun to realize it. That's because their teacher comes packaged in the body of an 11-year-old girl, one with a pretty amazing nightshift job.
"I'm young Fiona, young Shrek and Grump the dwarf," Soibelman said.
"He went to a school very similar to The Orion School and it helped him so much. And he's a great brother," Soibelman said.
Danielle's 14-year-old brother, Matthew has Asperger's. And because of him, she knows more than most about acceptance and love.
"I think people are kind of prejudiced against these kids and should really get to know them before they make a judgement," Soibelman said.
So in each city she finds a school that is helping children like her brother. She reveals secrets from the show, such as how long it takes her to transform into the young Shrek and all the make up and glue involved. She gets them to dance and teaches them the moves to go with the song. She gives them ogre ears which they proudly wear the rest of her performance. She tells them about Shrek, the ogre who was mistreated because he was different and who tried to fit in.
Using a fairytale, Danielle makes these children feel special, accepted. That's because Danielle's big brother has taught her a great and powerful truth.
"They're the same as us. They have some challenges but those challenges make them unique and make them special.
As she leaves, the blond girl claps and says to Danielle, "I'm surprised you're Fiona. That's the best."