Talent Machine Presents "High School Musical Jr." with The Penguin Project

The Talent Machine Company is the first Central Maryland partner of , an award-winning nationwide program that provides a supportive, encouraging theater experience for children with disabilities.

Join us on May 2 and 3, 2025, when we will perform High School Musical Jr. featuring a full cast of 28 children and teens with disabilities who will be paired with 31 volunteer peer mentors. These mentors have been supporting their talented, dedicated mentees throughout four months of rehearsals and will also be with their mentees during the performances.

This is our second production with The Penguin Project. Last year's performances of Annie Jr. drew sell-out crowds who gave the artists and mentors standing ovations, recognizing the hard work and heart that went into the production. The Company also earned two awards from Anne Arundel County for this program: the 2024 Community Organization Award and the 2024 Accessibility Award.

DON'T MISS THIS WONDERDFUL SHOW!

Dates, Times and Location

Friday, May 2 at 7 pm
Saturday, May 3 at 2 pm
Mid Atlantic Community Church
2485 Davidsonville Road
Gambrills, MD 21054

Tickets: General admission seating. All tickets are $10.

What is the Penguin Project partnership all about? This show marks the second collaboration between The Talent Machine and The Penguin Project, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to helping theaters around the country produce shows that feature young artists with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders. Through this partnership, The Penguin Project and The Talent Machine demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences.

Who are the people involved in bringing this show to life? The artists and mentors in this year’s production are ages 10 to 21 and attend schools in Anne Arundel County, are home-schooled, or attend public or private schools in Howard County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Lea Capps, Talent Machine Company president, is directing the show, assisted by Owen Russell, a Talent Machine alum who also assisted last year. Owen's brother, Colin, was an artist last year and will be in this year's show as well. Lea and Owen are also choreographing the show. The musical directors are Anita Spicer and Molly Cahlink. The producer and program manager is alumni parent, Kim Dixon.

The Penguin Project’s staff serves as an experienced resource for The Talent Machine team, offering both periodic on-site guidance and comprehensive guidelines and information to ensure the success of this experience for all involved.

What is the value of this experience? Since 2004, The Penguin Project has found that when children participate in the performing arts, it enhances their social interaction, communication skills, self-confidence and self-esteem. The program also reaches beyond the stage to create a network for children who previously may have had limited social opportunities.

Who can be involved? Performers and mentors can be ages 10-21 and can attend any school, public or private, or be homeschooled. No theater experience is needed.

BUY TICKETS TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM! We welcome all members of the community to attend to support both our performers and peer mentors! Watch our social media pages and this space for details.

Who can I contact for more information? For more information, email Kim Dixon, Program Director, at [email protected]

Host or Publisher The Talent Machine Company