The Penguin Project is a national program that gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with autism and other neurodiversities, the opportunity to fill all the roles in a musical production. We call these students our ARTISTS.
One special feature about the Penguin Project is that each ARTIST is paired with a MENTOR to become his or her special assistant and friend. MENTOR opportunities are open to any neurotypical students (ages 10- 21) interested in working alongside and assisting an ARTIST during our musical theatre production.
In the past our Penguin productions have included Aladdin JR,
The Aristocrats KIDS, Shrek JR, Beauty and the Beast JR,
and
Frozen JR.
Our Penguin Project usually starts in January with an information meeting for anyone interested in the program. For mentors, our bootcamp, held prior to the start of rehearsals, helps mentors learn expectations, as well as some of the song and dances ahead of time. We start rehearsals for everyone right after spring break. We meet two late afternoons a week and rehearse through first of July. Our Penguin Project performances are generally the second weekend in July.
