PEORIA, Ill. – Social interaction for kids with developmental disabilities can be difficult, but the Penguin Project, celebrating its 20th season this weekend, is all about letting them shine.
The Penguin Project began in Peoria in 2004, with the show “Annie Jr.”. The kids were paired up with mentors their own age, who guided them from rehearsals to performances, working side-by-side onstage.
“What we want is to give them that opportunity, give them that support. And, we do it in an inclusive manner that fosters that inclusion that’s so important,” says Penguin Project Founder Dr. Andy Morgan.
Morgan tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan”, back in 2004, he had no idea the Penguin Project would be so successful, thinking they might do a show or two and have some fun.
“It brought tears to everybody. I would watch the kids on stage, and they were tremendous…then I’d turn around and watch their parents watching their children. And, that was the most gratifying, to see these parents enjoy their kid’s ability, not their kid’s disability,” Morgan says.
Penguin Project performers rehearse 2-4 days a week while getting ready for a show, and they look forward to it.
“They just can’t wait for it. It becomes the highlight of their year,” Morgan says.
The Penguin Project has grown into a national program, and locally it has added a second group for older kids that perform on stage at ICC.
This weekend’s show is Lion King Jr, with performances Friday and Saturday night (1/12-13), and a Sunday matinee (1/14) at East Peoria’s Eastlight Theatre.
To learn more about the Penguin Project and its shows, click HERE.
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