Peter Brodzinski successfully auditioned for the acting role for the TV show
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Fans of the popular ABC show "What Would You Do?" will have a chance to see the talents of Peter Brodzinski in action. The 2005 Washington Township High School graduate, who has Down syndrome, successfully auditioned for an acting role in the upcoming season premiere of the show, which is slated to air on June 17 at 9 p.m. on the network.
Brodzinski, who studied chorus and drama and participated in musicals and talent shows while at WTHS, was selected for an audition thanks to the help of his agent, Gail Williamson, from KMR Associates out of Los Angeles. In the upcoming episode, which is hosted by ABC news correspondent John Quinones, Brodzinski plays a grocery store employee with Down syndrome who is bullied by customers (played by actors).
"As fans of the show will see when it airs, the scenario was intense, but many customers in the store spoke up in defense of what they saw happening," said Jan Brodzinski, Peter's mother and a WTHS special education teacher. "The producers at ABC, and all the other actors, really enjoyed working with Peter, and the 12-hour day of filming was a wonderful experience for him in every way. Peter is very proud of having Down syndrome and is happy that this scenario may give people the courage to speak up when they hear someone being made fun of because of a disability."
In addition to his acting pursuits, Brodzinski supports the charity Reece's Rainbow which provides grants to people who are adopting children with Down syndrome. He collected more than $1,200 this past month for the charity by asking for donations in lieu of personal gifts for his 30 birthday.
This item submitted by Jan Giel, Washington Township School District.