Event Title
Theatre as Therapy: The Penguin Project
Authors
Emily W. Lunardi '16, Gettysburg College
Location
Breidenbaugh 201
Session
Film Festival
Start Time
4-30-2016 9:00 AM
End Time
4-30-2016 12:00 PM
Supervising Faculty Member
Susan Russell
Department
Theatre Arts
Description
Over a decade ago in central Illinois, a pediatrician with a love for children with special needs and for for theatre founded The Penguin Project. He believed there weren’t enough opportunities for children with disabilities to get involved in their communities, interact with children who do not have disabilities, or to get involved with theatre. In 2014, the Gettysburg Community Theatre replicated this program for the very first time, and produced its own Penguin Project production. Now in its third year, this program gives children ages 8-21, with and without disabilities, an opportunity to perform in a musical completely free of charge. The Penguin Project pairs up children with and without disabilities, and together each pair plays a role in a musical. They form true partnerships, learn from one another, trust one another, and lead each other through the rehearsal process. The experiences these children have in rehearsals and on the stage not only provide unmatched opportunities for personal growth, but allow those who normally do not have a voice to be heard by audiences of hundreds. Theatre as Therapy: The Penguin Project documents the beauty created at rehearsals for The Penguin Project’s 2016 production: Suessical, Jr. This film is comprised of rehearsal moments, and interviews with children, parents, and volunteers explaining how involvement in theatre has affected their lives.
Document Type
Video
Theatre as Therapy: The Penguin Project
Breidenbaugh 201
Over a decade ago in central Illinois, a pediatrician with a love for children with special needs and for for theatre founded The Penguin Project. He believed there weren’t enough opportunities for children with disabilities to get involved in their communities, interact with children who do not have disabilities, or to get involved with theatre. In 2014, the Gettysburg Community Theatre replicated this program for the very first time, and produced its own Penguin Project production. Now in its third year, this program gives children ages 8-21, with and without disabilities, an opportunity to perform in a musical completely free of charge. The Penguin Project pairs up children with and without disabilities, and together each pair plays a role in a musical. They form true partnerships, learn from one another, trust one another, and lead each other through the rehearsal process. The experiences these children have in rehearsals and on the stage not only provide unmatched opportunities for personal growth, but allow those who normally do not have a voice to be heard by audiences of hundreds. Theatre as Therapy: The Penguin Project documents the beauty created at rehearsals for The Penguin Project’s 2016 production: Suessical, Jr. This film is comprised of rehearsal moments, and interviews with children, parents, and volunteers explaining how involvement in theatre has affected their lives.
Comments
Theatre Arts Senior Capstone