The Penguin Project
MTC’s PENGUIN PROJECT ® (www.penguinproject.org):
Empowering Children with Special Needs Through Theater
The saying goes....”If it plays in Peoria, it will play
anywhere!”
Well, it has played in Peoria and it’s entering its 18th year.
But this is But this is not your typical theater production...
After an initial production of The Penguin Project was held in Peoria, Illinois in 2004, The Penguin Project Foundation was
created in 2007 to assist other communities in developing their own Penguin Projects. There is a comprehensive
replication process in place, designed to help create a nation-wide network of performing arts programs for children with
special needs. There are currently 53 replication sites or “chapters” in these 22 states around the country: Alabama,
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. MTC’s
Chapter will be the first one in the state of New Jersey! Here are the specifics of our production:
Performances:
First United Methodist Church
446 E. Camden Ave.
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Saturday, 4/29/23 at 8 PM
Sunday, 4/30/23 at 2 PM
Bios - submit your bio here for the Program Book
Ads - Purchase an Ad for the Program Book or Become a Partner
Who:
Cast: Children with disabilities between the ages of 10 and 21
Staff: Special Education Teachers with Musical Theater experience
What: A production of Annie, Jr.
When:
Information / Planning Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 22 (4-5:30 PM)
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays (4 to 7 PM), starting Tuesday, November 29
Tech Week: Every Day, Sunday, March 26 to Friday, March 31 (4 to 8 PM)
Performances: Saturday, April 29, 2023 and Sunday, April 30, 2023 (April is Autism Awareness Month)
Where: First United Methodist Church, 446 E. Camden Avenue, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Why (Goals Of The Penguin Project):
1) To provide an opportunity for children with disabilities to develop creative skills related to the theater arts
2) To identify the impact of a community theater experience on the communication skills, socialization, and self-
confidence / self-esteem of children with disabilities
3) To provide an opportunity for children with disabilities to participate in a community theater experience
4) To facilitate interaction between children with disabilities and their age-level peers through joint participation in a
community theater experience
5) To facilitate an appreciation of the challenges faced by children with disabilities and their families
6) To facilitate interaction among medical, developmental, educational, and theater professionals through participation
in a common community project
7) To provide a forum for support and interaction for families of children with disabilities
How: Register here.
For more information, please call MTC at 856 / 778-8357 and speak to Producing Artistic Director Mark Morgan.