Penguin Project: Beauty and the Beast Jr.
About the Penguin Project
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. This year it will be Alladin Jr
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. 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 with them through 4 months of rehearsals and through the final performance.
Northern Starz is proud to be the first Minnesota theatre as a replication site for Penguin Project.
Registration is now open for Penguins, Mentors and Volunteers.
If you have questions please contact michelle.sharon@northernstarz.org.
We want to thank the Minnesota Arts Boards and the Minnesota Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment for awarding Northern Starz a grant to help make the Penguin Project happen.
Beauty and the Beast Jr: Penguins Actors
Are you interested in being Penguin Project Actor?
Currently we are all booked with registrants but you can sign up to be on our waiting list.
- Registration Deadline: February 20th
- Meet and Greet: March 1st
- Rehearsals: April 7th - July 29th (see below for detailed calendar)
- Show Dates: July 30th-August 2nd
Beauty and the Beast Jr: Mentors
Are you interested in mentoring one of the Penguin Actors?
- Registration Deadline: February 20th
- Meet and Greet: March 1st
- Rehearsals: April 7th - July 29th (see below for detailed calendar)
- Show Dates: July 30th-August 2nd
Beauty and the Beast Jr: Volunteers
Are you interested in volunteering and being part of this great show?
About The Show
Based on the original Broadway production that ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and the Academy Award-winning motion picture, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is a fantastic adaptation of the story of transformation and tolerance. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. features some of the most popular songs ever written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.
Scholarship Information
Northern Starz Children’s Theater is dedicated to providing theater education for all interested students and is awarding a limited number of scholarships students that will cover the cost of registration for certain shows.
About The Penguin Project
2017 NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES YOUTH PROGRAM AWARDS FINALIST
Northern Starz is so proud to be part of the Penguins Project in 2018. The Penguins Project, headquartered in Illinois, was just named a finalist for the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. For more information check out the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program website. You can also learn more about the Northern Starz Penguin Project plan for 2018 under our upcoming shows.
Penguin Project National Program
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. 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 with them through 4 months of rehearsals and through the final performance.
Goals
- Provide an opportunity for children with special needs to develop creative skills related to the theater arts
- Provide an opportunity for children with special needs to participate in a community theater experience
- Facilitate interaction between children with special needs and their age-level peers through joint participation in a community theater experience
- Facilitate an appreciation of the challenges faced by children with special needs and their families
- Identify the impact of a community theater experience on the communication skills, socialization, and self-esteem of children with special needs
- Facilitate interaction among medical, developmental, educational, and theater professionals through participation in a common community project
- Provide a forum for support and interaction for families of children with special needs
Our Grant and Sponsorship Partners
Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment
Minnesota State Arts Board
Mama Deluca's Pizza
