This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Pengin Project of McLean County.
The Penguin Project is a nonprofit organization that creates unrestricted access for young people with special needs to participate in the performing arts.
Part of what makes The Penguin Project unique is that it utilizes a “peer mentor” system, pairing up each young artist with an age-level peer, between 12 and 24, who typically does not have a disability.
The peer-mentors work side-by-side with their partners during the rehearsal process and on stage, lending what assistance may be needed. The mentors must know all of the lines, songs, and blocking of their partners, and they stay on-stage during the production, costumed to match or complement their partners, ready to help, if necessary.
This year the troupe is staging "Madagascar Jr.: A Musical Adventure." All performances take place in University High School's Stroud Auditorium in Normal.
Opening night is May 31, which is a family and friends night. This is a pay-what-you-can preview that begins at 7 p.m. There's more performances June 1 and June 2 at 7 p.m., plus June 3 at 2 p.m.
- As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, former Penguins, including artists, mentors, volunteers and staff, are invited to join the performers on stage at the end of each show to sing the Journey classic, "Don't Stop Believing."
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