The magic continues
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 16 January 2013 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
Penguin Project to present "Disney's Little Mermaid Jr."
Since 2004 a group of children with disabilities and special needs have been making magic, treading the boards of Eastlight Theatre and immersing themselves in iconic roles and music.
The 2013 edition of The Penguin Project, "Disney's Little Mermaid Jr.," continues the magic this weekend at Eastlight.
Dr. Andrew Morgan, who founded the Penguin Project, still believes in its purpose.
Penguins are birds that cannot fly. Therefore, they are disabled birds.
Yet, if you pay attention to them you will notice that penguins find other ways to accomplish what they need to; there is no stopping a determined penguin.
"That's what makes them the perfect figurehead for our kids. They may not be able to do a lot of the things other kids can do, but we help them find a way to accomplish more than many expect them to," Dr. Andrew Morgan said.
He was talking about why he called a project he started in 2004, one that enables children with disabilities and special needs to perform on stage in a mainstream musical, by the name Penguin Project.
The magic that unfolds on that stage is what keep Andy and Kathy Morgan, their children and the project's faithful volunteers coming back every year, to give more children the chance to shine in ways they quite possibly would not realize otherwise.
(Photo by Rex Urban) Olivia Coombs portrays Ariel and C.J. Blackwell is Prince Eric in The Penguin Project's production of "Disney's Little Mermaid Jr.," which is performed this weekend at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria.The new production by the Penguin Project opens Friday at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria. "Disney's Little Mermaid Jr." will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for adults and are available by calling 699-7469 or visiting www.eastlighttheatre.com.
"This has become our life and we have no intention of changing that anytime soon," said Morgan, a developmental pediatrician in Peoria who many know as "Dr. Andy" on local television.
Performers themselves with lengthy resumes from central Illinois stages, the Morgans have become so consumed with the Penguin Project — including expanding its reach to several other communities, a summer camp and a traveling troupe of performers — that they have almost no time to direct or perform any more.
Morgan said he has no regrets. "Directing the Penguin Project show every year starts in September, so it takes a long time. But it also gives me the 'directing fix' I need. Oh sure, if a role comes along that I really want to do or there's a show I really want to direct I might do it, but for now this is it for me. I love doing this," he said.
But enough about him. "The Penguin Project isn't about me or my family. It's about the kids, about giving these kids the opportunity to perform, to bond and learn to communicate, to develop friendships; all things many of us take for granted. It has been a wonderful experience," he said.
There are 87 children in "The Little Mermaid Jr.", which is slightly more than usual. But Morgan said it is still manageable. "It is very difficult to cut any kids who want to be in the show. I don't have the heart to say no," he said.(Photo by Rex Urban)Ursula, portrayed by Skye Mayo, left, makes demands during a recent rehearsal of "Disney's Little Mermaid Jr.," which will be performed at Eastlight Theatre this weekend by The Penguin Project. At right are the Eels, portrayed by Jacob Urban, front, and his Penguin Project mentor Stephanie Leverton.
He is finding that others feel the same way. After he decided to start the project in 2004, he announced it to Easter Seals. He instantly had volunteers ready to help, people who recognize the value of the project for the children.
"Theatre is one of those things that can have a positive impact on everybody involved. It helps develop communication skills and self-esteem. I started it because I believed theatre would be a good venue to enhance their socialization and communication skills while giving them something fun to do," he said.
At the time he didn't know how quickly he could start because he needed a venue. The project had no money with which to rent space to stage plays, so he approached Kathy Chitwood, then the artistic director at Eastlight Theatre.
"We needed a place that was willing to take a chance with us and provide support. Kathy was very excited to do it. Without her and others willing to take that chance, we never would have gotten off the ground," Morgan said.
Another need, helping the children with disabilities to learn their parts and be on stage, was filled quickly after the project put out the word that it wanted able-bodied volunteers to serve as mentors. They are matched with "our young artists with disabilities" and they work together for four months.
(Photo by Rex Urban) Sebastian, portrayed by Danny Gauwitz, left, is threatened by King Triton, portrayed by Nathan Lambert, during a recent rehearsal of "Disney's Little Mermaid Jr.," being performed at Eastlight theatre this weekend by The Penguin Project.The Penguin Project is open to any individual age 10 to 21 who has a disability. It includes children with cognitive, learning, motor, hearing, and visual impairments, genetic disorders, and neurological disorders. "There are no restrictions based on the level of cognitive ability, restriction of mobility, or lack of communication skills. Because of concerns for safety, however, we are unable to accept anyone whose behavior might endanger himself/herself or others," according to The Penguin Project website, www.penguinproject.org.
The projects seeks age-level peers and they must be at least 10 years old, as well, and up to age 21. "The peer-mentors work side-by-side with their partners, assisting them throughout the entire rehearsal process and on stage. The mentors are responsible for knowing all of the lines, songs, and blocking of their partners. They are on-stage during the production, costumed to match or compliment their partners. They participate in the group production numbers, but are trained to remain in the background and provide direct assistance to their partner only as needed," the website said.
"One unexpected benefit from all this has been the friendships these kids have forged, with their peers and their mentors; friendships that endure beyond the stage. Real bonds are forged and this gives these kids a social network they really need. That may be the most important thing we've seen happen," he said.
The families of the children, particularly the parents, have benefitted as well, he added. "Families of children with disabilities also are isolated. But here, they can sit back and relax and enjoy watching what their kids are doing. They get to interact with other parents. The changes we have seen in the kids and their families have been absolutely incredible. In all aspects, the Penguin Project has been a success," Morgan said.
Paul Gordon is editor of The Peorian. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com
