Theater Project For People With Special Needs Forming In Manatee

BRADENTON, FL — The Manatee Performing Arts Center is launching two new theater groups for actors with special needs.

The Penguin Project targets younger performers, ages 8 to 22 years old, while the Penguin Players is designed for adults 22 and older, Rick Kerby, producing artistic director, told Patch. Both groups are part of a national network of the same names.

Kerby learned about the Penguin Project about six years ago while attending theater festivals, where he got to meet its founder, Dr. Andrew Morgan, and talk with those already running the program at theaters around the country.

“It just seemed like such a wonderful program, a great way to give this community of youth with special needs an opportunity to get on stage,” he said.

Though he wanted to launch a chapter in Manatee County, the timing was never right – until now.

The Bradenton Kiwanis Club, which meets at the theater, learned about the Penguin Project and reached out to Kerby.

“They asked, ‘Why aren’t we doing something like this?’ And they offered us the seed money to really do it,” he said. “We’re excited that it’s finally coming to fruition.”

To let the community know about these new initiatives, the performing arts center will host a series of open houses. The Penguin Project open house takes place Jan. 16 and 18 at 10 a.m., while those curious about the Penguin Players will meet Jan. 17 and 19 at 10 a.m.

Register for the open houses here.

“It’s brand new, so we’re trying to do a push to get the word out, so we can get as many people enrolled as possible,” Kerby said.

He added, “Anyone with any special needs is welcome and that’s self-defined, really — down syndrome, autism spectrum, visual, hearing, any sort of special needs.”

In addition to trying to reach children and adults with special needs and their families, the performing arts center is also seeking mentors to work and perform alongside them.

“The stars are the special needs kids, and the mentors are really there to support, to help, to be there as a crutch, to be a friend,” Kerby said.

A specially trained director is being brought in from Nashville to lead the show. The first season culminates with both groups performing the student version of “Annie” May 14-17.