The Penguin Project of the Quad Cities, Augustana's chapter of the national organization, gives children with special needs a chance to develop creative skills in the theatre arts.
Established in 2004, the Penguin Project is a national program with chapters across the U.S. In the Quad Cities, the chapter rehearses at the Center for Living Arts in Rock Island, and performances are at the Brunner Theatre Center at Augustana.
Roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities. They are joined on stage by a peer mentors who have volunteered to work side by side with them through months of rehearsals and the final performances. Augustana students help out behind the scenes to ensure each production's success.
The show for 2020 will be "Lion King Jr." Jan. 24 - Feb. 2.
Penguin Project productions have sold out three years in a row and 2020 is no exception. However, a simulcast of the Jan. 25 and 26 shows will be available across the street from the theatre in Centennial Hall. Tickets for the simulcast are $5 at the door or online.
For more information or to get a child involved as a Penguin or peer mentor, contact Jeff Coussens, executive director, Penguin Project of the Quad Cities.
The Mississippi Bend Players returns to live performance in the Brunner Theatre Center on the Augustana College campus this summer.
Augustana College will present a recorded live performance of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" March 4-7.
This fall, theatre faculty and students at Augustana College faced the same difficulty as other theatres worldwide: How to present their work under the limitations of a pandemic?
The Office of Student Life's Multicultural Programming Board will host a Comedy Club night; performer TBA.
The Student Life Programming Board will host the annual Movie Under the Stars, title TBA.
The Student Life Programming Board's Live on Campus committee will host a performing artist, and food and beverages will be served.
