The Community Theatre League in downtown Williamsport will present a concert version of the children’s musical “Annie Jr.,” presented by the nationally recognized program The Penguin Project.

“With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City,” a news release from Community Theatre League said. “Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.”

The Penguin Project is a school year program, and students have been working on “Annie” since before the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020. They are excited to finally be performing as a part of CTL’s Summer Camps. This camp has been perfect for empowering young artists with special needs through theatre. By utilizing the “peer mentor” system, The Penguin Project links each young artist with an age-level peer who has an interest in theatre. The peer mentors work side-by-side with their partners, assisting them throughout the entire rehearsal process and on stage. The camp concludes with a weekend run of the show at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 19, 20 and 22 and at 2 p.m., Aug. 22.

“I am always excited when I get to work with a new cast and crew at CTL that is made up of familiar and new faces! The Penguin Project is an amazing experience that truly teaches everyone involved something about themselves and I encourage any 11-22-year-old to be involved at least for one year,” said director Seth Sponhouse, according to the news release. Everyone should come and see this show “because these students and their mentors have worked so hard and have waited a year and a half to be able to perform these songs for their friends and family members! They deserve all the support in the world!” As far as what to take away from the show, Seth says, “Beside the Annie lessons, I’d love audience members to walk away with the Penguin Project lesson that anything is possible for anyone. We all have limitations, whether they are visible to others or not; however, those limitations only have as much power as we give them.”

The Penguin Project is free and open to young artists with special needs from the age of 11-22. This includes cognitive, learning, motor, hearing, and visual impairments, genetic disorders, and neurological disorders. There are no restrictions based on the level of cognitive ability, restriction of mobility, or lack of communication skills. Due to concerns for safety, however, we are unable to accept anyone whose behavior might endanger himself/herself or others. The Penguin Project utilizes a “peer mentor” system. Mentors must be at least 10 years old and can continue up to age 21. They are on-stage during the production, costumed to match or compliment their partners. They participate in the group production numbers, but are trained to remain “in the background” and provide direct assistance to their partner only as needed.

As the Penguin Project is more geared towards younger students, CTL also hosts the Spotlight Program which is for adults 18 and up. Depending on the turnout that year, the Spotlight Program puts on a concert series or even a full show. The peer mentor system is not used in this program, as it is more independent work. However, if the individual would feel more comfortable bringing a mentor with them they are more than welcome to. The start of the program and rehearsal process begins in November for a March show.

The Penguin Project’s “Annie, Jr.” is sponsored by Hudock Capital Group, LLC, the Savoy Family, and Woodcock Foundation for the Appreciation of the Arts Inc.

The Community Theatre League holds camps every summer including the age range of K-12th grade. A few featured camps this summer are Camp Pop Star, Explore Musical Instruments, Explore Characters, Young Designers, Camp Broadway, Explore Reader’s Theatre With Mo Willems, “Frozen Jr.” the Musical, Improv, the Costume Intensive and “Annie Jr.” These camps are a great opportunity for kids to work on teamwork, collaboration skills, take leadership roles behind the scenes, work on singing, dancing, and acting all while having traditional summer camp fun.

Production Staff includes: Seth Sponhouse (Director), Allison Stroop (Choreographer), and Timothy Hanner and Theda Tallman.

Tickets are on sale now at www.ctlshows.com or by phone at 570-327-1777