Boundless Change
Nicholas Music Center, New Jersey — February 22, 2025
On February 22, 2025, Sean Xu and his team from the Autism Awareness Alliance in Princeton delivered a groundbreaking performance at the Nicholas Music Center, one of New Jersey’s premier 800-seat venues. Their innovative show fused Sichuan Opera Face Changing (Bian Lian) with inclusive folklife dance—marking a bold new chapter in neurodiverse arts programming.
Nearly 800 audience members gathered for one of New Jersey’s largest multicultural festivals centered on the autism community, celebrating neurodiversity, cultural heritage, and inclusion.
The evening’s highlight was a U.S. first: a dynamic fusion of traditional Chinese Face Changing and 40 folklife dancers, including children on the autism spectrum. For the first time, choreographed dance was used within a Bian Lian performance to reflect the emotional rhythm of mask transformations—blending movement and stillness in a way that was both visually striking and sensory-friendly.
“We designed the choreography as a visual metaphor—peeling away the mask through dance,” said Sean Xu, a junior at The Hun School of Princeton and Director of the Autism Awareness Alliance. “By combining motion and stillness, we created a sensory-rich experience that helped autistic children engage with this 300-year-old art form more naturally and confidently.”
The Nicholas Music Center was radiant with lights and energy. The professionally lit stage and immersive sound setup heightened the excitement for the 40+ young performers—many of whom skipped dinner to rehearse, eager to deliver their best.
“They were meticulous,” said volunteer Christine. “You could feel their determination to shine. They weren’t just performing—they were owning the stage.”
Despite sensory sensitivities, the performers demonstrated confidence and grace under the mentorship of dance instructor Jenny and with strong support from their families. For many, the performance marked a personal milestone.
“Dance has helped my daughter express herself and connect with others,” said one parent. “She’s become more confident at school and at home.”
As Sean Xu performed rapid-fire mask changes in sync with lantern dancers sweeping across the stage, the audience was visibly moved. Backstage, dedicated volunteers—including Oscar Wang (University of Pennsylvania), Dev Menon (West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South), and Kiki Liu (The Hun School)—ensured that 35 autistic children and their families were able to attend comfortably and without barriers.
“Blending a youth-led autism performance group with university-level cultural troupes was a bold challenge,” said Bryan, Artistic Director of the event. “At first, we were concerned they were the youngest group here. But by the end—it was clear. They were the most outstanding.”
“Neurodiversity bridges cultures and promotes inclusion,” reflected Oscar Wang.
“The performance was truly inspiring,” added Erik Hagen, an audience member from Pennsylvania. “It’s amazing to see how art and inclusion can come together to create something so powerful and emotional.”
Boundless Change was more than a performance—it was a celebration of identity, creativity, and what becomes possible when communities embrace every individual’s way of expressing joy. It reminded us all that the stage isn’t just a platform for art—but a gateway to understanding, acceptance, and transformation.
During this event, AAA raised $3,200 in donations and thoughtfully purchased 100 signed copies of autism author Ellen Sabin’s book to gift to the families in attendance. This gesture conveyed our deep care for every individual with autism and our support for their families. The walk was not just about moving forward physically, but also about connecting hearts. Through our actions, we demonstrated that love and support know no boundaries.
The preparation for the event began early at 7 a.m., filled with excitement and anticipation. With warm smiles and hearts full of enthusiasm, students Xu Shenyao and Liu Xinchen from the Hun School of Princeton, New Jersey, and Xiaoyue Yang from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia donned adorable mascot costumes to greet families arriving at Princeton Junction. Buses, filled with eager volunteers and families, headed towards Pier 16 in New York, all united by a common mission: to make a meaningful impact on the autism community.
At the same time, Alan Su, Simon Su, Krishn Maystry, and Andy Granados from John F. Kennedy High School in New York, set off from Long Island to the event venue. When they arrived, they found students Fu Yuqi from Pine Crest School in Florida, Yang Yifan from New York University, and Chen Xinzhu from Columbia University already hard at work. They hoisted the Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance flag, inflated balloons, and carefully arranged snacks and gifts, eagerly awaiting the arrival of families from New Jersey.
Despite the heavy rain in New York, spirits remained high. The venue buzzed with energy, and every volunteer was eager to make a difference. Some even dressed as the children’s beloved Kamen Riders, taking photos and interacting with the kids. The rain only added a special touch to the day, as it could not dampen the volunteers’ passion. The love and care we shared shone brightly, rain or shine.
The event also featured a special guest, children’s author Ellen Sabin, who hosted a heartwarming reading session with her book The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism. Ellen shared that everyone should learn to respect differences between people, and through this book, she hopes to help children understand the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. She encouraged them to put themselves in others’ shoes and treat others as they would like to be treated. Her words deeply inspired all the attendees, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the power of compassion and inclusion.
In addition to the reading session, the Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance also sponsored a captivating lion dance performance. In the AAPI community, lions are seen as symbols of protection and prosperity. Through this vibrant performance, we aimed to convey messages of hope and goodwill to all participants, while also helping to build stronger bonds in our diverse community. This cultural showcase not only energized the crowd but also allowed everyone to experience the beauty and strength of unity in diversity. Through this event, we’d be sending a powerful message of hope and good wishes to all the loved ones who participate. This could inspire them to weave an even tighter bond within our beautifully diverse community.
Diana, a mother of five from New Jersey, has an 11-year-old daughter on the autism spectrum. This was her second time participating in an event organized by the Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance. Having just moved to the state this year, Diana was deeply touched by her first experience with the alliance’s autism event. Through the event, she met families in similar situations, who became not only her friends but also warm and understanding supporters. Because of this, she did not hesitate to sign up for the charity walk and worked alongside volunteers to post flyers and raise funds in the community. She said emotionally, “As Ellen Sabin mentioned, I hope people will look at my child with fairness and without prejudice. I hope all children with autism will never be overlooked. I am committed to raising awareness and understanding of autism in the community—this will be my lifelong mission.”
The Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance’s contributions were also recognized and praised by Andra, the organizer of the Autism Speaks New York charity walk. He expressed his gratitude for the alliance’s significant impact on the community and looked forward to working together again next year. He said, “Through our joint efforts, we can create a more just world and improve the lives of everyone on the spectrum.”
