From January 22 to January 25, the Forsyth County Arts and Learning center (FoCAL center) will come alive with lights, color and music as they host the production of Aladdin Junior. This musical will be produced by the Penguin Project, a nationally recognized program that provides students with special needs an opportunity to participate in theatrical productions. However, this show goes beyond simply acting; It is a place where everybody has the chance to shine.
The Penguin Project puts on a show once a year, usually a spin-off of a popular movie or Broadway production. This year, audiences will get to see a modified version of Aladdin.
One of the most unique aspects of this program is how they execute their shows. They follow a mentorship-based model where each student, referred to as an “artist,” is paired up with a peer mentor. These mentors help artists throughout the rehearsal process and provide assistance during the show as well.
“It was more like what you would expect a mentor to do, which is to know all the lines and the choreo. And, a thing that makes it a little bit different from regular shows, aside from the kids who are playing, is that mentors are on stage with their artists,” junior Makayla Shadoff explained.
Depending on the artist’s needs, mentors can help them with lines or guide them across the stage. They will be standing behind the artist, so if they need any help, the mentor will be ready to step in. In addition to helping with performances, mentors also make it a priority to ensure the artists feel comfortable and encouraged.
Although their main goal is to make sure the performance goes smoothly, mentors also make genuine connections with the students, offering motivation and building trust. These relationships create an inclusive environment, where every student feels heard and supported. For many students, these friendships last beyond the duration of rehearsals and become just as meaningful as the performance itself.
“The main thing the Penguin Project has always prioritized is being a friend to artists, because sometimes they’re more shy in school, or they don’t have a lot of friends. It’s basically just a place for anybody to have fun and do something really cool,” Shadoff stated.
In comparison to Lambert theater productions, the Penguin Project operates in a very different way. Students at Lambert focus on delivering a polished performance, which includes memorizing every line and perfecting all musical choreography. This takes a lot of time and effort from students.
“Going into Lambert Theater, we take it very professionally, we take it very seriously because everyone wants to be perfect,” said senior Reese Richards.
On the other hand, Penguin Project productions are more lenient, allowing for connectivity and collaboration between mentors and artists. Instead of just highlighting the final product, this program also emphasizes the process in reaching to that level.
“It doesn’t really focus on, like, putting on the best, most beautiful, extravagant, well executed show. It’s about doing what we practiced and basically just having fun,” Shadoff shared.
These differences showcase the true meaning behind the Penguin Project: teamwork, friendship and inclusion. By prioritizing these qualities, the program ensures that every participant has their chance to be in the spotlight and succeed. Aladdin Junior is a space where audiences, artists and mentors can celebrate this community through theater.
