This 2009 Broadway musical is a classic boy-meets-girl story set to an exciting 80s rock soundtrack, featuring songs by bands such as Styx, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Journey, and more!

Read all about it here.

SHOW DATES:

August 23 & 24 7:00 PM

August 25 3:00 PM

Champaign Central HS Decker Theatre

PURCHASE TICKETS

Creating Access to Community Theatre for Young Artists with Special Needs

This production is unique because all of the featured roles are filled by young people (ages 11-24) with developmental disabilities including down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, ADD/ADHD, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and other neurological disorders. For the Penguin Project, these young people are called "artists."

The artists are joined on stage by their peer mentors, a group of students (ages 12-24) without disabilities, who have volunteered to work with them side-by-side and guide them through 14 weeks of rehearsals and the final production. By creating unrestricted access to the performing arts, The Penguin Project® demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability need not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences.

Our penguins may not be able to fly, but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring.

To learn more about the Penguin Project, visit their site here.

Please join our Facebook Group: CUTC's Penguin Project

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UPDATES:

APRIL 2024

We are now accepting applications for both NEW AND RETURNING ARTISTS & MENTORS!

*For full consideration please complete all sections of THIS APPLICATION FORM by Friday, April 26, 2024. Late applications may be accepted if spots remain. (For ease of completion, laptop/computer recommended, rather than phone.)
NOTE: FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE PARTICIPATION.
Invitations for participation will be emailed by April 28. If you are under 18, please have your parent or guardian help complete your application.

ARTISTS: Must be between the ages of 11-24 years of age as of May 19, 2024.
MENTORS: Must be between the ages of 12-24 years of age as of May 19, 2024.

NOTE that the age ranges are slightly different than last year. Our staff agreed that this change was appropriate for this summer's production, but next year's age range has yet to be determined.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, THE PENGUIN PROJECT COMMITMENT WILL BE MAY 19–AUGUST 25, 2024.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DATES & TIMES.

IMPORTANT ZOOM MEETINGS FOR POTENTIAL NEW PARTICIPANTS:

Wednesday, April 24 at 6pm
Thursday, April 25 at 5pm
Meeting will last approximately 30 minutes. Both parent and student should attend.
ZOOM LINK for both meetings.

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 4:15pm-5:45pm: ALL MENTOR BOOTCAMP. Dinner provided for all mentors. In this bootcamp, participants learn the role of the mentor, and how they can best support the artists during the production and in our community.

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 6:30pm-8pm: ALL ARTISTS AND MENTORS – FIRST REHEARSAL!!

REHEARSALS continue on Sunday evenings and Wednesday afternoons (same as the past two years)

SUNDAYS starting MAY 19: 6:30-8:00pm (Artist arrival 6:20-6:25pm; typical mentor arrival 6:05-6:10pm)

*WEDNESDAYS starting MAY 22: 4:30pm-6:00pm (Artist arrival 4:20-4:25pm; mentor arrival 4:05-4:10pm)
*In August, the Wednesday time slot will shift to 6:30-8pm.
Additional rehearsal times will be scheduled for principal characters with solos.

REHEARSAL LOCATION: SINAI TEMPLE, 3104 Windsor Road, Champaign.

TENTATIVE TECH WEEK & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (pending school district approval)

TECH WEEK (attendance mandatory):

Sunday, August 18 – TIME TBD – hold 1pm-6:30pm

Monday, August 19 – Thursday, August 22 – (approx. 5:30-8:30pm)

THREE PERFORMANCES (attendance mandatory):

~ Friday, August 23 at 7pm (5:30 call time)

~Saturday, August 24 – Late afternoon/early evening performance – EXACT PERFORMANCE TIME TBD (Our staff will make every effort to avoid conflicts with the Special Olympics bowling tournament and marching band/football games.)

~Sunday, August 25 – Late afternoon/early evening performance – EXACT PERFORMANCE TIME TBD (Our staff will make every effort to avoid conflict with the Special Olympics bowling tournament.)

TECH WEEK & PERFORMANCE LOCATION: TBA, pending school district approval

ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND WAIVERS ARE PROVIDED ON THE APPLICATION FORM, due April 21.
Penguin Project Staff: Jaclyn Loewenstein (director), Penny Stephenson-Woolwine (music director), Courtney Davies (choreographer), Beth Caughlin (stage manager), Ellena Neubauer (producer), John Stuff (CUTC Managing Director)