The Penguin Project empowers children with developmental disabilities through theater. Photos: Instagram/Penguinprojectfoundation
Twenty years ago, a developmental paediatrician noticed how children came out of their shells, gaining confidence and social skills, when they were involved in theatre programs.
Maybe the same would be true for children with disabilities, he thought.
Now a growing national programme is proving the paediatrician’s theory to be true.
The programme – developed by that US paediatrician – is called the Penguin Project. Its motto is, “Our penguins may not be able to fly, but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring.”
In central Pennsylvania, the United States, there is a chapter in Adams County and one in Dauphin County, which is hosted by Theatre Harrisburg, It is a theatre company in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Lorien Reese Mahay, executive director of Theatre Harrisburg, says it launched the Penguin Project last year after being inspired by other theaters.
Theatre programmes provide children with disabilities a creative outlet, boosting their confidence.
“Their experiences, and the life-changing differences that were seen in chapters across the country, made us want to bring something like this to our own community,” Mahay said.
“At Theatre Harrisburg, our community takes centre stage. We are proud to be able to offer an opportunity for all children in Harrisburg to participate in theatre.”
The program’s goal, according to the official website, is to show that people with developmental disabilities can participate in community activities “with the same dedication and enthusiasm as others, if given opportunity and support.”
That support comes not just from theatre staff, families and volunteers but also from peer mentors.
The Penguin Project is for people ages 10 to 21 with developmental disabilities, which can include autism, Down syndrome, hearing and visual impairments, and other neurological disorders.
Their mentors, who do not have disabilities, are in the same age range and paired with the actors early in the rehearsal process. The mentors work alongside their partners on stage from beginning to end, offering support and assistance as needed while learning the show, too.
The 2024 Harrisburg program has 21 “penguins”, 16 mentors and about a dozen volunteers, including the director and others from Theatre Harrisburg.
The final two weeks of rehearsals are held on the Whitaker Center’s stage, where the show will take place.
“There is always more to learn, and we will continue to ask how we can best serve our community each year,” Mahay said. – Tribune News Service
