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As the founding home of The Penguin Project®, the Peoria chapter has been creating opportunities for young artists with developmental disabilities to experience the magic of musical theatre since 2003. Together with dedicated peer mentors, families, and volunteers, our productions foster confidence, friendships, and unforgettable moments both on and off the stage.
Each season brings our community together to celebrate the talents and abilities of every performer, proving that the stage is a place where everyone belongs. From the first rehearsal to the final curtain call, The Penguin Project Peoria is changing lives through inclusion, creativity, and the performing arts.
When I heard about The Penguin Project, I knew that people’s lives would be changed; I didn’t know that that life would be mine.
10-year-old mentor in the Penguin Project
Fon du lac Park District, 201 Veterans Dr, East Peoria, IL 61611
This is for any participants or community members who want to know what Penguin Project Peoria is about and what is involved.
"Dr. Andy" is the founder and director of the Penguin Project. He is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pediatrics and the former Head of the Division of Child Development at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He has been the primary medical specialist in central Illinois involved in the diagnosis and treatment of children with disabilities for over 35 years.
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"Our penguins may not be able to fly, but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring."