GCT's The Penguin Project to Present SEUSSICAL
By: Tyler Peterson Apr. 04, 2016
This year's show Seussical the musical jr will perform at Gettysburg Area High School Auditorium, located at 1130 Old Harrisburg Road in Gettysburg, on May 13th at 7pm and May 14th at 2pm. Tickets are $12 plus fees and can be ordered online at www.GettysburgCommunityTheatre.org, by phone with credit card 717-334-2692, or two hours before any GCT performance, as well as at the GAHS Auditorium two hours before the show.
The Penguin Project Foundation gets its name from Founder Dr. Andrew Morgan, a pediatrician specializing in children with disabilities.
Dr. Morgan, who has a background in theatre says, "Penguins are special needs birds, they cannot fly, but they thrive equally as well as any other bird in their own environment. Our penguins may not fly, but they soar on stage."
Partnering with Gettysburg Area School District in 2014, Gettysburg Community Theatre produced the Eastern States Regional Premiere of The Penguin Project with their production of Disney's Peter Pan starring 20 artists with special needs and 30 peer mentors performing to 800 people in the audience. Then in 2015, GCT partnered with Hanover Public Schools to present Disney's High School Musical with even more youth with special needs and a full house at Hanover High School Auditorium. This year GCT is excited to be partnering again with the very supportive GASD for the Penguin Project of GCT production of Seussical the musical jr based on the beloved stories of Dr. Seuss with characters like the Cat In The Hat, Horton, Gertrude McFuzz and many many more from the Jungle Of Nool!
"We're changing lives!", says Chad-Alan Carr, GCT's Founding Executive/Artistic Director, "My favorite part is to see the compassionate bond that develops between the artists with special needs starring in the show and their peer mentors without special needs helping them along during what we call 'the process'. There is simply nothing quite like Penguin Project in all of Pennsylvania. The project has already been replicated in six other states so far and counting."
Having started 12 years ago in Peoria, Illinois, The Penguin Project is about a "Process" (general atmosphere, cast and family interactions, rehearsals, etc.) and a "Product" (the on-stage performances). The Process is the creation of a special environment, a "comfort zone", where children with special needs/disabilities are given opportunity and support to explore their creativity and develop communication skills, socialization, and self-confidence; where children without special needs/disabilities have an opportunity to help others by being a peer mentor and a friend; and where families have the opportunity to watch their children succeed in ways they never thought possible. It's all about developing relationships and creating a very special "family' that extends well beyond the stage.
"Many people have no idea what these children are actually capable of", says Carr. "It is so inspiring to see, and every year we choose a show that really speaks to the kids as well. I actually let them vote on what show they will do each year."
The Penguin Project of GCT's 2014 production of Disney's Peter Pan had lyrics such as "Fly to who you are", teaching the kids to follow their hearts and to be themselves. Disney's High School Musical in 2015 had lyrics such as "It's hard to believe that I couldn't see, that you were always there beside me...thought I was alone with no one to hold, but you were always there beside me", which brought many to joyful tears in the audience. This year's production of Seussical has a poignant song called "Alone In The Universe" in which actors sing "Yes, I have wings, And I can fly, Around the moon, And far beyond the sky ... You called my name, And you set me free ... One small voice in the universe. One true friend in the universe. Who believes in me." And of course, the famous line of Dr. Seuss' Horton the Elephant, "A person's a person, no matter how small."
See more about the 2014 project in the video!
GCT is very proud to have students from 9 different school districts participating as performers in this free program for youth with and without special needs/disabilities. When audiences come to see the show they will be so inspired by the performers showcasing their talents on stage that they may not even realize that those performers have challenges in their lives such as: Autism, Cerebral Palsey, Intellectual Disability, Executive Function Disorder, ADHD, ADD, Asperger Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Cognitive Delay, Spina Bifida, and other cognitive or physical challenges.
"Too many times in today's society", says Carr "I fear that people with special needs/disabilities are pushed to the side, not included, and taken for granted what they can truly achieve when given an opportunity. The Penguin Project helps these children with special needs showcase their abilities despite any disabilities/challenges they may have. I dare anyone to come see the show and not be inspired and moved to tears by their accomplishments. It is remarkable and so full-fulling. It is truly the best thing I have ever been a part of in my life."
GCT's The Penguin Project is made possible, in part, by sponsorships from UniqueSource Products and Services, York Area Down Syndrome Association, Leer Photography, The Gettysburg Times, Danny Sebright, Sweet Charities of Hanover, UTZ, Rotary of Hanover, Kiwanis of Gettysburg, Gettysburg Eagles, American Legion of Biglerville, and Gettysburg Area School District. Sponsorship/Donation and ticket information on GCT's Penguin Project and docu-films can be seen at www.GettysburgCommunityTheatre.org
GCT Mission Statement: To inspire creativity and confidence, provide cultural enrichment, and instill a love of the theatre arts in young and the young at heart through quality education, training and performing experiences in musical theatre.
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