PEORIA, Ill. — The Penguin Project turns 16 this year.
Dr. Andy Morgan founded the performing arts program in 2004 to foster self-confidence and friendships for kids with special needs through theatre.
“We provide an opportunity for them to be the stars. They’re linked with typically developing children, who are there to assist them, but they’re the ones that are doing it,” Morgan said.
Morgan told WMBD’s Greg and Dan, the actors’ disabilities disappear when they’re on stage.
“The talent is amazing. They seem to know what to do. They wait for applause. They wait for laughs. If something goes wrong, which does happen, they stop and wait. They just intuitively do well,” Morgan said.
Morgan said once kids get involved, they’re likely to come back for more.
“We have so many kids coming back, that a lot of these kids are veterans of five to ten years,” Morgan said.
Morgan said the social aspect of the Penguin Project is very important to its continued success.
“We can help these kids and families develop social networks. That honestly is the key to everything. It’s social networking. Creating friendships. Creating relationships,” Morgan said.
The Penguin Project began in Central Illinois in 2004, but is now a national program with chapters in a number of states.
The Penguin Project’s performances of “Legally Blonde Jr.” run Friday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 19. Tickets are available through the Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria.
For details, click HERE.
