Emily Behny (Photo provided by Behny.)

WARSAW — Actor and singer Emily Behny is back in Kosciusko County for a “Coming Home” benefit concert, designed to benefit All Things New in Warsaw.

Behny is a Warsaw Community High School graduate, Ball State University alumnus, and Silver Lake native who has stepped into the shoes of several characters. She’s lived in New York City for almost 10 years and has performed in musical productions and television shows. Her résumé includes Belle in a national tour of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” Nessarose in “Wicked” and roles in television shows “Blue Bloods” and “Mr. Robot.”

Behny describes her NYC living experience as both “exciting and overwhelming.”

“I love living in New York, the opportunities are endless,” said Behny. “However, I really miss the simplicity and pace of living here [in Silver Lake]. NYC is a tough place to live, but sometimes you just have those rough days.”

Rough days aside, Behny has experienced a lot in the entertainment industry, including acting in a scene with Donnie Wahlberg, who plays Danny Reagan in “Blue Bloods.”

“‘Blue Bloods’ was my first TV spot and it was all around the most amazing experience,” said Behny. “I met the director, the producer and I met Donnie Wahlberg. It was so great to get to know the actors and to relax into it.”

This weekend, Behny is returning to WCHS, where her love for theater first began. She will be spending time with local high school and college students by teaching a two-day audition master class at WCHS. Behny will also be performing a group number with the students from that class at the concert. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the WCHS Performing Arts Center.

“It’s my first solo show ever and is my first time performing in Warsaw since 2007,” said Behny. “The concert is an opportunity for me to share my story and my truth. It’ll be a mixture of storytelling and songs, chronicling my professional and personal life over the last 10 years. There’ll be some show tunes from shows I’ve been in, some jazz standards, some blues rock…basically something for everybody.”

Behny also said she is looking forward to the audition masterclass session with students.

“I’m very passionate about equipping young artists and giving them the opportunity to apply the things they learn in the masterclass in a performance number at the concert,” said Behny.

Half of all ticket proceeds from the benefit concert are going to All Things New, which is a residential addiction treatment center for women in Warsaw.

“A passion of mine is giving back to the community,” said Behny. “I know people who have struggled with addiction and who have transformed their lives through programs like All Things New. I’m really interested in organizations who help people start over and help them find freedom. I think it’s important that we talk about it more and de-stigmatize getting help.”

Tickets for the benefit concert can be purchased online or at the door. VIP tickets are $30, with regular tickets being $15. VIP tickets include front row seats and access to the concert’s after party to meet with Behny.

To keep updated on Behny’s current projects, visit her website.