Penguin Project: Beauty and the Beast Jr.

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.

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

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

Are you interested in volunteering and being part of this great 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.

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.