Young, blind actor breaking barriers in Southern California

MONROVIA, Calif. -- A young actor is getting ready to perform in a local production of the play "Annie" next month, and there's one thing that distinguishes this talented man from others sharing the stage with him -- he's blind.

Mason Fessenden is an actor and sometimes what people don't notice is that he's blind.

"He was born three months early. There were times people told that he would never walk, he would never talk, he would never be able to read braille," explained his mother, Martha Fessenden.

He's proved his doctors wrong and although he can't see, the 16-year-old can sing, act and play the piano.

This December, Fessenden will be performing at the International Full Gospel Fellowship of Los Angeles church in Monrovia, California as Bert Healey in the play "Annie."

"He's great on stage and he sings really well," said co-star Tessa Barkley. "He just lights up the room."

This will be Mason's first time sharing the stage with actors who can see, but his voice coach said she has no doubt in his ability and is even pushing him to dance.

Martha, one proud mother, said she's confident the world hasn't seen anything yet. She expects Mason to continue wowing audiences into the future.

"He never sits in a corner and complains about his blindness and...couldn't ask for anything more," Martha added as she wiped away tears.