By Crystal Donaldson
NORMAL – The Penguin Project of McLean County is putting on Madagascar Jr.
Penguin Project gives 10-24 year olds with developmental disabilities the opportunity to sing, dance and act in a live junior musical.
A volunteer peer mentor is partnered with each artist to help guide them through four months of rehearsals to the final show.
Music Director, Christina Angle, joined Penguin Project last year. She explained how she’s seen the show change the artists for the better.
“When they first started, they couldn’t really look you in the eye,” said Angle. “They had very low social skills. By the end of the show season you’ll see them have no problem going up to a stranger and having a whole out conversation and looking them in the eye. The whole deal.”
A volunteer peer mentor is partnered with each artist to help guide them through four months of rehearsals to the final show.
Angle also said her favorite part has been watching the actors gain confidence.
“It’s showing them like hey you have a lot of abilities and a lot of talent. So here’s your stage to show the world what you’ve got,” she finished.
Visit penguinprojectmclean.org for tickets and more information.
Crystal Donaldson can be reached at [email protected].
