EAST LANSING - Local middle and high school students are joined by Michigan State University musical theatre and dance students, along with Broadway performers to collaborate for one unique performance.

With a broad range of performers, the Wharton Center will be presenting TEMPLE- A Staged Concert Reading.

Jennifer Paulson-le, co-director of the performance said, "It's fun to work with them and see how they really hone in on the material and invest it and are offering a lot of great work to the piece."

TEMPLE is based on the life of professor and autism activist Temple Grandin and her personal experience with autism.

Temple is the inventor of the "hug box", a calming device for those with autism. She was also named in the "Heroes" category in the 2010 Time 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people.

The performance of TEMPLE on Saturday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m., will be a sensory friendly one which will include: acoustic sound, houselights on a low level, standing and movement will be accommodated, a designated quiet area, sensory supports and an online and printed guidance materials.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at whartoncenter.com. The performance will be held at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts Pasant Theatre.