JUNE 20 • 2024 | 31
J
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a prestigious honor.
In total, 110 people 
attended the Ezra premiere, 
with many staying after the 
film for a question-and-
answer session with Elaine 
Hall, founder of the Miracle 
Project and star of Autism: 
The Musical. Hall also served 
as a casting consultant for the 
film.
Hall, who has a 
longstanding friendship 
with Maiseloff, floated the 
idea for a premiere for Ezra 
in partnership with The 

J - Detroit and Opening the 
Doors.
Hall had worked closely 
with William Fitzgerald, 
an autistic actor who plays 
Ezra, and wanted the film to 
debut in a city where it would 
make a true impact on the 
community. Ezra, which was 
distributed by Bleecker Street 
Films, was chosen for Metro 
Detroit.
On the guestlist for 
the Ezra premiere were 
special education teachers, 
special education advisory 

committees and general 
supporters of the inclusivity 
program.
The premiere event was 
made possible by a donation 
from Kaufman Children’s 
Center, a pediatric center that 
provides services for children 
with special needs.
“It was an honor and 
privilege for Opening the 
Doors to host the Detroit 
premiere of Ezra,” Maiseloff 
says. “Everyone thought it 
was a great movie and very 
authentic.” 

The J’s OTD 
department and 
J’s Special Needs 
Enrichment

The Emagine 
Palladium 
Theater was full.
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