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Empowering children with special needs through theater
 

Once a year, a magical and touching celebration of the human spirit unfolds at numerous theaters across the country. A group of children in a program called The Penguin Project take to the stage to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical.  These productions are unique, however, because all the roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders.  

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They are joined on stage by a dedicated group of “peer mentors” – children the same age without disabilities who have volunteered to work side-by-side through 4 months of rehearsals and the final performances.  

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By providing access to community theater, The Penguin Project demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences.

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The 2025 program was “Aladdin Jr.” with a record 48 children!  This demonstrates the need for this type of outreach in Flagler County.  2026 will be our 4th year!  And the kids will be presenting “The Lion King Jr.” 

 

There is no charge to the children; this is a community supported program.  During this 4-month program; the staff earns between $2.00 to $4.00 an hour ~ and a great deal of support work is provided by volunteers.  

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We gratefully acknowledge our donors in the Penguin playbills!

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