The Altoona Community Theatre’s Penguin Project, in partnership with the Altoona Area School District, will be presenting “Annie Jr.,” its first production pairing the friendships and the feelings of inclusion among the cast, according to parents.

“These kids feel the acceptance,” parent Malia Smith said. “ACT has created such an inclusive environment. It’s so rewarding to see our kids do what other kids get to do. It goes way beyond being on stage. They’ve become a family, and they feel loved. It’s all about celebrating them.”

“Annie Jr.” is a 90-minute show where nine actors with disabilities — called artists — are the stars and are assisted by “mentors” — students without disabilities.

ACT staff and the mentors meet the artists “where they are at,” said Altoona resident Pattie Snyder, mother of artist Graycie Snyder, 14. If a Penguin artist “has a meltdown,” they exhibit kindness and patience and “don’t get upset,” Snyder said.

Malachi Ankeny (from left), Sean Furry, Campbell Fleegle, Landon Boyer and Penguin Project Coordinator Tami Hinish run lines together in rehearsal. Courtesy photo

“Annie Jr.” tells the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan who lives at The New York City Municipal Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie dreams of being reunited with her parents and takes action to find them.

The cast includes: Casey Miller as Little Orphan Annie (mentor Emily Berkheimer); Carson Frank as Oliver Warbucks (mentor Josh Stuby); Graycie Snyder as Grace Ferrell/Tessie (mentor Gabrielle Beldin); Addie Smith as Miss Hannigan (mentor Jane Fox); Landon Boyer as Rooster/Pepper (mentor Campbell Fleegle); Hannah Scott as Lily St. Regis/Molly (mentor Mikaela Deiasko); Owen Hinden as Drake/apple seller/sound effect man (mentor Andy Furry); Malachi Ankeny as Bert Healy/Duffy/Howe (mentor Sean Furry); Adam Savino as Officer Ward/President Roosevelt (mentor Sydney Frank), and Myles, a therapy dog, as Sandy. Mentor swings are Darren Focht, Sydney Hinish, Jiliian Pierannunzio, Laura Reed and Elliana Scott.

Members of the cast range in age from 8 to 21.

Show director and ACT’s executive director Tara Enedy learned of the Penguin Project three years ago and is excited to see the production come to fruition.

The Penguin Project at ACT has been using the high school auditorium for rehearsals since July.

Of the artists, only one had previous stage theater experience, Enedy said. The mentors all have previous theater experiences. “It’s a huge part of the reason why they wanted to get involved because they loved their theater experiences and wanted to give the opportunity to other kids,” she said.

The Penguin Project was founded in 2004 and has evolved into a national program through the years. Altoona is one of three new chapters formed this year in Pennsylvania, Enedy said.

By providing access to community theater, The Penguin Project demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences.

“Some of the artists need prompting and others not at all. They have a wide variety of abilities and the mentors have really rolled with anything during the rehearsal process,” Enedy said.

The program has demonstrated that participation in the performing arts has therapeutic value by enhancing social interaction, communication skills, self-confidence and self-esteem. The impact of the program creates a social network for children who previously had very few friends and limited social opportunities, according to its website.

“The experience will be different than a usual performance because of the unique differences of our actors,” Enedy said. “The audience should be prepared to hear the lines twice. The artist may be prompted for lines occasionally or a lot and sometimes may only be able to repeat a few phrases at a time. So it will appear to be a less polished show. However, the joy and the pride and the excitement of the kids totally makes up for it. I think the audience will be impressed. ”

ACT board member Tami Hinish of Hollidaysburg serves as Penguin Project coordinator and production manager for this show. Her experience with her two late sons who had special needs made her involvement a natural fit.

“Watching the friendships develop between all the kids has been magical,” Hinish said. Initial hesitation by parents over the time commitment involved gave way to “boundless enthusiasm and excitement” for each 90-minute rehearsal held four days a week since July.

“One of our Penguin actors takes her script everywhere she goes and doesn’t leave the house without it. She’s so excited about being in the production,” Hinish said. “This is so much bigger than putting on a production.”

At a recent meeting, parents of children with special needs thanked the parents of the peer mentors.

“The show is not about the kids without disabilities, they are in the background. The penguins — the actors with disabilities are showcased,” Hinish said. Her daughter, Sydney Hinish, is participating as a peer mentor.

“Two see these two worlds of mine come together — I had two sons with disabilities and a daughter involved in theater. It’s so neat to see that all come together and produce a beautiful experience for the kids,” Hinish said. “What’s amazing is how this will help other families who have children with special needs get involved and experience things that are so easy to take for granted. To see your special needs child shining on stage is almost unimaginable for their parents.”

Ben Cossitor, a fine arts teacher and the high school theater director, has served as the host school’s supervisor as ACT personnel are running the artistic side.

“I think it’s a wonderful program. I’m really happy to partner with them. It’s great for the community to have students with disabilities working with other students and to see them forming friendships and learning from one another.”

During the preparations and rehearsals, Cossitor said he has observed the kids “coming out of their shells and developing confidence that they didn’t have before. They are truly enjoying what they are doing. That’s the cool thing about theater, it’s the opportunity to step into a part and be part of a team when you are in a cast. It’s been heartwarming to see how they’ve come together as a group.”

Addie Smith, 20, of Duncansville, portrays Miss Hannigan. Her mother, Malia Smith, said Addie was excited to become part of the production. Addie, who has Down syndrome, may not have understood where her involvement was initially headed.

“She knew that people were being nice to her and her peers were there and the mentors were paying attention to her and interacting and accepting of her,” Malia Smith said.

Now, Addie knows she will be on stage and calls Jane Fox “her best friend.”

Graycie said her “favorite part” of the experience has been meeting her helper, Gabrielle Beldin, who “helps me work on my lines and encourages me to do it. She’s supportive and sweet.”

The Penguin Project at ACT plans annual productions, Enedy said. The 2024 production is as yet unnamed.

Enedy said, “I was hoping for a couple more artists for our first year. But I am very happy with it and it has worked out. It is so much fun. Some kids have multiple roles and that keeps them busier. I am hoping for some good growth for next year.”

Grants from The T. Dean Lower and Jane Young Lower Trust and the Zack Hinish Foundation and a donation from UPMC Altoona have supported the production, Enedy said.