Volume 2, Issue 14 AUGUST 30, 2024
REFLECTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY Total Raised: $2,310 Lead this Legacy
Oceana Echo THE
SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
Thank you to this week’s donors towards our Lead this Legacy Fundraising Campaign READER:
David & Kathleen Spitler Lee & Dianna Hendrixon
Fred & Joan Van Domelen Kathleen Badgley
Dale & Margaret Meinert Paul & Cheri Inglis
PHOTOGRAPHER: Matthew Kolb
Penguin Project presents Beauty and the Beast Jr. featuring 3 Oceana County young men By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
PERMIT NO 62
PRSRT STANDARD NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER PAID ECRWSS BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307
Community theater is alive and well in West Michigan! Coming just three weeks after a community theater performance sponsored by the Hart Area Performing Arts Association, three young men from Oceana County will take the stage at another venue and showcase not only their acting ability but their joy and passion for community theater themselves. Sawyer Arkema of New Era, Ray Crosby of Hart, and Andrew Kelley of New Era, along with 27 other special needs actors and actresses from West Michigan, will perform Disney’s musical “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” as part of the Muskegon Civic Theatre, Penguin Project production, Saturday, Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 8, 3 p.m. at the Frauenthal Theatre, 425 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon. The Penguin Project was founded in 2004 by Dr. Andrew Morgan of Peoria, Ill. The Penguin Project provides individuals with special needs the opportunity to participate with peer mentors and
perform on a real stage, in real costumes and makeup, with real lines and musical numbers. According to its website PenguinProject. org, “The Penguin Project strives to demonstrate that individuals with special needs are fully capable of participating in community activities with the same dedication and enthusiasm as others, if given opportunity and support. We believe that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences. The Penguin Project recognizes that theater not only provides children with a valuable recreational experience and an opportunity to display their creative talents, but also enhances social interaction, communication skills, assertiveness, and selfesteem.” Arkema, Crosby and Kelley may have a special needs designation, but those special needs certainly don’t define them. They lead busy, fulfilling lives, holding jobs, spending time with family and friends and enjoying hobbies, one of which they’ve discovered is acting. PenguinProject.org continues, “The origin of the name ‘Penguin Project’ comes from the unique characteristics of penguins. They are extremely playful and curious and work well together. More importantly, they have a ‘disability’ that distinguishes them from other birds – they can’t fly!! Instead, penguins waddle and toboggan on their bellies over the snow and are excellent swimmers in the water. So like our young artists, they have adapted to the challenges of their environment and have not allowed their unique differences to interfere with their lives.” Crosby, who really enjoys acting, has played the role of Mr. Mayor in “Seussical Jr.” and the
Three young men from Oceana County will be performing in Beauty and the Beast Jr. next weekend in Muskegon. Above, left, Sawyer Arkema (right) practices lines with peer mentor Andrew VanGunst. Andrew Kelley, above center, practices his dance moves. Ray Crosby, above right, was the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz Jr. in 2021. • Contributed photos
Tin Man in “Wizard of Oz Jr.” This year he will play Maurice, Belle’s father. Kelley, who particularly loves to dance and play air guitar, says he really likes the costumes too. He played a Who in “Seussical Jr.” and the role of James in “High School Musical Jr.” He will be an Egg Seller in this year’s production. Arkema also loves to dance and sing, and his favorite musical of all time is “High School Musical.” He got involved with the Penguin Project last year and was thrilled when he was cast as Zeke. He will play a Baker next weekend. “These kids are doing something I wouldn’t do,” smiled Laura Crosby, Ray’s mom. According to MuskegonCivicTheatre.org, the Penguin Project utilizes a ‘peer mentor’ system, linking each young special needs artist with an age-level peer who does not have special needs. The peer mentors work side-by-side with their partners, assisting them throughout the entire rehearsal process and on stage through the entire performance. And as a peer mentor, they are on stage with their partner in the same or complimentary costume throughout the entire show. This year Crosby is paired with peer mentor Marin Keeler, while Arkema’s peer mentor is Olivia Harshbarger. Kelley is paired with Andrew
VanGunst of New Era, a first-year peer mentor in the Penguin Project. VanGunst, who has participated in other drama productions over the years, shared he has really enjoyed being a peer mentor and will continue to be involved. Most mentors are drama students from local schools and often invite their Penguin partners to their own school year or community performances. When asked what their favorite part of being in the musicals has been, all three artists agreed, saying, “Dancing and singing to ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ as a group at the end.” The song by Journey is the Penguin Project’s unofficial theme song and is sung, with choreographed motions at the end of every Penguin Project rehearsal and production across the U.S. They also have a Penguin Project cheer and warmup games, all meant to create a special camaraderie and community within a community. “The song is something the kids can always count on,” said Chris Kelley, mom of Andrew Kelley. “The kids love it; it’s high energy.” Another highlight of each performance is when the entire cast gets to do one special musical number all together on stage. The song is not only sung but also signed, making it all the more meaningful. Up until tomorrow
(Saturday, Aug. 31), all rehearsals have been held at “The Hub,” home of the “No More Sidelines” organization in Muskegon. Starting Sunday, Sept. 1 through Thursday, Sept. 5, rehearsals will take place at the Frauenthal Theatre, where artists will put the finishing touches on their performances. “Nothing is spared,” shared Laura Crosby. “The costumes, sets, make-up, lighting, everything is top-notch.” Crosby also shared that everything the Penguin Project does is intentional, from how rehearsals are run up to and through the performances. The artists acclimate to things in stages, so they know what to expect and can get the support they need. “I love seeing the camaraderie between the kids. They cheer one another on; there’s no jealousy,” said Chris Kelley. “Andrew never complains about going.” All three families expressed the importance of the productions for themselves as well. They often stay for rehearsals, joining other parents in the auditorium. “From a parent perspective, it’s like a support group,” said Kelley. And when the curtain rises on opening night, all the rehearsals and the extra busyness that is created are worth it. Getting to watch their child perform and have fun with their peers brings a flood of emotions, from pride
and joy to optimism and thankfulness. “Even for the parents who have been going to rehearsals, to see it all come together is magical,” Laura Crosby said. “You can’t get the full effect until you see it. You leave with a smile on your face and a tear in your eye,” Chris Kelley said in closing. Tickets for next weekend’s performances are available at www.muskegoncivictheatre.org/ tickets. The Penguin Project is open to any individual aged 12 to 24 with a developmental disability. Two informational meetings are held each June, with rehearsals running two to three times a week in the months of July and August. There are no restrictions based on the level of cognitive ability, restriction of mobility, or lack of communication skills, unless their behavior might endanger himself/herself or others. All costs involved for each artist are covered by the local Penguin Project chapter. Visit muskegoncivictheatre.org to learn more about the program or to donate. Other award-winning musicals performed by the Penguin Project include Annie Jr. - 2017, Aladdin 2018, Peter Pan Jr. - 2019, Wizard of Oz Jr. - 2021, Seussical the Musical Jr. 2022, High School Musical Jr. - 2023, Beauty and the Beast Jr. - 2024.