Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy on ABC's "Modern Family") to speak at Spy Hop benefit

Utah actor Ty Burrell, who plays Phil Dunphy on ABC's "Modern Family," will speak at Spy Hop Productions' annual benefit on Thursday, May 10 at the Gallivan Center to show his support for Spy Hop.

Sy Hop also will showcase the diverse voices of the youth it serves through performances and an unconventional auction."It took me until college to figure out that I wanted to be an actor, so I'm in awe of these kids who are being encouraged to follow their passions from such an early age. I wish an organization like Spy Hop had been around for me as a teenager," said Burrell in a press release.

Excerpt from a press release:

The theme of this year's benefit, "Connect," recognizes all of the different ways Spy Hop connects to youth, to the community and the digital media industry through film, music, documentary arts and game design. Each year, Spy Hop students and staff spend months preparing a one-of-a-kind performance to start off the evening. Past shows have included a flash mob, a movie filmed live on stage and an interactive film experience. This year's presentation utilizes the theme CONNECT to enlist community members, students and teachers in a surprising way. The live auction that follows allows students to "pitch" their programs live on stage, from Loud & Clear Youth radio and Spy Hop Records, to Spy Hop in the Community and the Multimedia Apprenticeship program and finishing off with the crowd favorite of the PitchNic film program. The director of each film (two documentaries and two narratives) from Spy Hop's advanced film class will pitch their film idea and audiences can bid to have producer credits on the film.All proceeds raised during the auction go directly to supporting the over 1,900 young people annually who attend Spy Hop's programs in film, audio, music and design.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and GA tickets are $50, though Soy Hop alums 21 and older can get in for $40.Tickets are available at www.spyhop.org/benefit or by calling (801) 532-7500 Spy Hop Productions is a nonprofit youth media arts and education center located in downtown Salt Lake City whose purpose is to "empower youth to express their voice and with it create positive change in their lives, their community, and the world."