Murray’s Playhouse in the Park has earned an award from the Kentucky Board of Education for one of its theatre programs.
The Dr. Samuel Robinson Award recognizes the Playhouse’s work with the Penguin Project, a theatrical production that stars children with special needs.
Murray Elementary School Principal Denise Whitaker made the nomination. She says the program helped foster a more inclusive community.
“A teacher of one of the artists remarked that she didn’t realize how much her student could do," Whitaker said in a release. "Watching him on stage helped her see him in a whole new way. She also remarked that his confidence in class, and his relationships with peers had grown."
Playhouse in the Park is the only theatre in Kentucky involved with the Penguin Project, and one of only seven nationwide.
The organization co-shares this year's award with the Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform at the University of Kentucky.