Registration meeting for The Lion King JR will be January 28, 2025.
The Penguin Project production is performed by youth with special needs (Artists) with peer Partners in the Mainstage season.
All participants and a parent/guardian (regardless of past participation) are REQUIRED to attend the registration meeting, typically in late January/early February. Penguin Project's regular schedule runs from February to performances in June each year.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! Age Requirement has changed this year. Interested Penguins must be at least 10 years old and no older than 18 years old by January 28th, 2025. This is a change from past years, and part of the efforts to create more age-appropriate relationships. One of the most important aspects of Penguin Project is the relationship between Artist and Partner. Please note that if we cannot find the right pairing for the Artist or Partner, then they may not be in the program.
Interested Penguins should be aware of the expectations regarding time commitment to producing this production.
Rehearsal schedule starts with two days a week (Tuesday, Thursday) for approximately the first two months. Wednesdays are added next and then Mondays. Rehearsals (until Tech) are 6:30-7:45 p.m. Tech Sunday is 12-5 p.m. Dress rehearsals are 6-9 p.m.
LCP regularly works around conflicts until the stated No Conflict Zone. After this, added conflicts are no longer accepted (except in cases of emergency, illness).
Attending all dress rehearsals and performances is a basic expectation of theatre participation and therefore, no conflicts during that time will be accommodated (except in cases of emergency, illness).
LCP must cap the size of the company at 33 Artists and 33 Partners. LCP is committed to maintaining a quality experience and a safe environment for Penguins and will not be able to have every interested child in the program.
The Directing Team takes into careful consideration many factors including, but not limited to, schedules, ages, engagement with others and demonstration of enthusiasm for the rehearsal and performance process. The Directors reserve the right to recast if conflicts are added after the deadline. Please weigh carefully whether or not you’re willing to make the time commitment needed for this production, as it could potentially deny someone else a spot in the company.
The Penguin Project was implemented at the Playhouse in 2014 from Peoria, Illinois. Past productions include Annie JR., Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR., Disney’s High School Musical JR., The Music Man JR., The Wizard of Oz: Young Performer’s Edition, Elf JR, Newsies JR., and most recently, Annie JR celebrating 10 years.
Learn more about Penguin Project from our former Director of Choreography Focus, Rachel Danay, at TEDxLincoln in 2018.
