Community theater partners with national program to provide special needs youth opportunity to discover talents

Brazosport Center Stages community theatre is seeking participants for its inaugural Penguin Project production of beloved musical Annie Jr. Eligible performers include young people between the ages of 10 and 21 with special needs due to physical or developmental disabilities. The production also seeks peer mentors who will assist the performers on stage during rehearsals and performances.

Rehearsals will begin in January with public performances scheduled for May 7 – 8, 2022 at The Center for the Arts & Sciences’ Freeport LNG Theater. Annie Jr is a shortened version of the full-length musical and is published specifically for youth groups.

Founded in 2004 by Dr. Andrew Morgan and his wife Kathy, the Penguin Project has evolved from a single theatre in Peoria, Ill. to multiple chapters across the country. Brazosport Center Stages is proud to be the first community theater chapter in Texas.

The project serves to facilitate joint participation between young artists with special needs and same-age peers through a community theater experience. Peer mentors work side-by-side with their artist partners and assist throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

“Theater changed my life and I believe everyone should have a chance to participate in a live theater production,” says The Center for the Arts & Sciences’ executive director Wes Copeland. “Penguin Project provides an atmosphere of inclusion where young people who may not feel comfortable in traditional theater settings can thrive and find their voices on the stage. We’ve heard such amazing stories from other productions around the country where lives were absolutely changed…both for the actors and the mentors.”

Brazosport Center Stages Penguin Project provides a forum of interaction for the young artists, peer mentors, families, and local volunteers through community theater experience. Through generous support from the Community Foundation of Brazoria County and the Lowrey Fund, Center Stages’ Penguin Project is proud to bring the inaugural production of the project Annie Jr. to audiences this May!

Interested in participating or learning more about volunteering or sponsorship opportunities?  Join us at The Center for an information meeting on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 6:00 PM and fill out the interest form at the button below.