The Theatre Workshop of Owensboro believes that everyone can perform, regardless of their walk of life. They’re currently gearing up for a unique production that offers children with developmental needs the opportunity to participate in theatre, with performances of “101 Dalmatians Kids” scheduled for this weekend.
The production is being put on in coordination with The Penguin Project, launched in 2004 by Dr. Andy Morgan to offer children with developmental needs the opportunity to participate in theatre alongside peer mentors.
TWO became involved in 2018 thanks to Jody and Chantae Hulsey after Jody found out about the project while attending the Kiwanis International Convention. Chantae said they have a sibling with special needs who loved theatre and would’ve benefitted from a program such as the Penguin Project.
“When Jody saw it, he grabbed a hold of it because this is near and dear. Acting has always been a thing for both of us and putting in that aspect of the special needs, it’s really what stood out to him,” Chantae said.
The Penguin Project brings together local theatre students (referred to as mentors in the production) and pairs them with children with special needs (referred to as artists in the production). Typical TWO productions take a few months to assemble, but the Penguin Project spends 6 months bonding the artists and the mentors in a partnership.
Artists and mentors learn the role simultaneously, and during the production, mentors shadow the artist in case the artist forgets a line or gets nervous.
Dr. Shellie Howard said this program provides students with an artistic outlet and creates empathy throughout the program.
“We really try to create that warm and fuzzy feeling that you’re welcome here. We want to have fun, and we do,” Howard said. “But it’s just one of those soft skills that helps you understand someone else. It builds tolerance and empathy, and they are able to have a relationship with someone that maybe they would’ve passed in the hallway and not thought about again.”
Director Jacob Hein said that this year’s production of “101 Dalmatians Kids” showcases that very spirit. This year’s new members melded with the cast naturally, he said, adding to the traditional spirit of the Disney tale.
“You’re going to get to see all of those fantastic characters, like Cruella de Vil. You cannot see 101 Dalmatians without her and her wonderful henchmen, Jasper and Horace. It’s so much fun and adorable to see the kids live out these characters and just have a ball doing it,” Hein said.
Howard said the families are responding extremely well to the inclusion, both on the artist and mentor sides. She said the pairs became genuine friends after spending 6 months together preparing the show.
The show only has two performances, on August 31 at 7 p.m. and September 1 at 2 p.m. The show will be performed at Daviess County High School’s auditorium.
