Penguin Project of McLean County

The McLean County-based theater troupe for people with disabilities is working to provide unrestricted access to the performing arts. Their debut show with an adult cast, Night of the Macabre, opens this weekend.

The Penguin Project of McLean County is launching Penguin Players, a new community theater program designed for performers with disabilities who are 22 years and older. The chapter's existing theater program, which modifies full-scale musicals for the stage, serves performers ages 10 to 24.

In the SpongeBob Musical, a typical cast has 30 to 35 actors, but in The Penguin Project of McLean County’s production, that number is doubled — one of many modifications made so youth and young adults with special needs are center stage in every role.

The region's longest running multi-sport event celebrates its 30th anniversary at Comlara Park Saturday.