The Penguin Project is a theater opportunity for individuals with special needs. Each artist in the program is paired with a mentor who partners with them at rehearsals and on stage to help them. The artists are the stars of the show while the mentors are just there to help and support. It is such a supportive, inclusive environment where kids can be themselves and be celebrated for who they are.
Adelie's partner for the Penguin Project was Naomi. She is a sweet, 20 year old girl adopted from Columbia who has both physical and intellectual disabilities, but she and Adelie were a great pair. They got along great, enjoyed each other, and developed a sweet friendship.
Rehearsals for the show started back in September with 2 evenings/week dedicated to Penguin rehearsals. They then ramped up over Christmas break with multi-hour, daily rehearsals for the last several weeks leading up to the shows. It was a big load, but Adelie never complained and always enjoyed going.
The show they performed was 'Something Rotten, Jr.' I had never seen the show before, but it was a very clever show about a pair of playwrights in the time of Shakespeare trying to come up with their next big show. Desperate, they hire a fortune teller to tell them what the next big thing in theater is going to be and what Shakespeare's biggest hit will be. The end result is a musical called "Omelet."
Naomi did not have a speaking roll, so Adelie and Naomi were singers and dancers in the ensemble. They were villagers as well as dancing omelets. They were front and center during the song 'Will Power.'
Penguin Project was such a great experience for Adelie. She truly loved the kids she got to know, especially Naomi. Her sweet nature and helping personality was just made for this program. Adelie has already decided that she wants to make Penguin Project a priority in her schedule for next year as well.
Adelie had a sweet group of friends come to see the show one night.
Grammie, Grandpa, Uma, Papa, Elliott, and the rest of our family all came to see her perform as well.
Penguin Project was such a great experience for Adelie this year. I used to worry about Adelie finding her "thing." She often follows in Staley's footsteps or participates in the things that Staley does. And that's fine. But seeing how Penguin is such a perfect use of Adelie's gifts and talents makes me feel happy. I definitely think Penguin Project is Adelie's thing.
