Special group of Detroit students to see Hamilton

DETROIT (FOX 2) - A special group of Detroit students are not only getting the chance to see Broadway smash hit Hamilton when it comes to Motown - they will also get to meet the cast themselves thanks to the nonprofit Life Leaders.

They help Detroit students find their voices and their passions, and pair them with the community. Amy Nederlander with Life Leaders decided to plan their annual fundraising dinner around the production of Hamilton.

"It's synergistic with Hamilton and our messaging and Hamilton's messaging," said Nederlander. "About believing in the power of your own voice and your own ambitions and what you believe is important. And having the perseverance and the audacity to stay with that and make that happen."

With the help of Hamilton producer Jeffery Seller, who is from Metro Detroit, the students will have the chance to watch the show then meet the cast.

"I am most excited to meet the cast after the show is over," said Curtis Bates, a senior at Cass Tech. "I want to pick their brains and asked him what life was like to prepare for Hamilton, how do they feel performing in front of such large audiences and pretty much find out how long it took the things they had to go through to get to where they are today."

He's not alone.

Close to 30 students from schools across Detroit will attend the show and get a meet-and-greet with the cast. Life Leaders aims to inspire the next generation, and it goes beyond theatre.

"I would like to start small ventures, maybe opening up a restaurant or two, starting a clothing line, or maybe even opening a barbershop or a recording studio for people that are upcoming artists like myself," Bates said.

The group is growing, helping young men and women find their passion. Even if they never go into theatre, getting a little culture in their lives during their biggest fundraiser is a life-changing day. 

"Following the performance, our guests will stay in the theater, everybody else will leave and then the cast goes and changes into their street clothes and then come back out on the stage and Jeffrey will be hosting them in a conversation, a Q&A, will be hearing their stories and it will be a conversation," Nederlander said.

For more information, visit hamilton.fueledbylife.org/.