On this episode of Along the Rock, brought to you by the Radar Free Press, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Kalie Conklen from the Penguin Project of the Sauk Valley to discuss the upcoming production, the organization’s mission, and the meaningful connections created through its theater program.
Now in its eighth year, the Penguin Project provides individuals with special needs the opportunity to participate in musical theater alongside peer mentors. This year’s production of Shrek the Musical Jr. was selected to give every actor a speaking part or a special line. With several performers approaching the program’s age limit and a limited number of mentors available, the directors wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to participate and experience their own moment in the spotlight.
The familiar characters and family-friendly storyline of Shrek also make it an exciting choice for performers and audiences alike. The cast has been enthusiastic about bringing the popular story to the stage.
Building Confidence Through Theater and Mentorship
The Penguin Project typically welcomes actors between the ages of 13 and 23. Once participants graduate high school at age 23, they graduate from the program. However, the organization also helps connect graduating participants with Shining Stars, providing another opportunity to remain involved.
Peer mentors generally range from 12 to 25 years old. The mentor age limit was extended to help accommodate more participants and ensure actors have the opportunity to take part rather than remain on a waiting list.
Rehearsals for this year’s production have been especially encouraging. According to Conklen, the cast has made tremendous progress compared to previous seasons. By October 1st, the performers had already reached the point of rehearsing without their scripts, an accomplishment that typically happens closer to the production.
Learning lines, choreography, and stage movements takes dedication from both the actors and their mentors. Some performers learn their lines through repetition rather than reading, making practice at home especially valuable. With rehearsals taking place just twice a week for an hour and a half, additional support outside of scheduled practices can make a significant difference.
Mentors learn their actors’ lines, dances, and movements so they can provide assistance throughout the performance. They remain close by on stage, ready to offer a quiet reminder or encouragement whenever needed.
For Shrek the Musical Jr., the mentors will be dressed as townspeople, helping them blend into the production while remaining available to support their actors. The goal is to make the performance feel seamless while allowing each actor to take center stage.
Friendships That Last Beyond the Stage
While the Penguin Project provides valuable theatrical experiences, the relationships formed through the program are just as important.
Many mentors initially join intending to help their assigned actors build confidence and enjoy opportunities that might otherwise be limited. However, Conklen explained that mentors frequently leave the program feeling that their actors have given them just as much, if not more, than they have given in return.
The friendships often extend well beyond rehearsals and performances. Returning actor and mentor pairs are frequently kept together from season to season, allowing those relationships to grow. Some reunions are especially heartwarming, with performers excitedly running across the room to greet mentors they have not seen since the previous production.
Those connections continue outside the theater, too. Actors and mentors attend one another’s performances, celebrate birthdays together, and develop friendships that last throughout the year.
The Penguin Project creates an environment where participants can feel included, supported, and celebrated while discovering what they can accomplish together.
See Shrek the Musical Jr. in November
The Penguin Project of the Sauk Valley will present Shrek the Musical Jr. at Centennial Auditorium on November 13, 14, and 15.
Performance times include:
- Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at the door or online through the Centennial Auditorium website at centennialauditorium.org. Online ticket sales began October 28.
Get Involved With the Penguin Project
Individuals interested in becoming an actor or peer mentor with the Penguin Project of the Sauk Valley can learn more by visiting penguinprojectsv.com. The website provides contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, for those who would like to learn more about participating.
Registration typically takes place in May, so prospective participants and families are encouraged to follow the organization on Facebook for announcements and updates.
The organization also hosts fundraising opportunities throughout the year. Its recent raffle basket fundraiser has wrapped up, and the Penguin Project typically partners with Culver’s locations in Rock Falls and Rochelle for fundraising events. Supporters can watch the organization’s Facebook page for upcoming dates.
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