July South Jersey Organization Feature: Disability Pride Month
Origins
The Moorestown Theater Company was co-founded in 2003 by Beverly Bennett, Mark Morgan, and Carol Ann Murray. Their first ‘Main Stage’ production, Annie, had 90 performers. Their first year only had one production but started their ongoing Main Stage quirky rule: “Any child 12 and under has to have an adult relative perform with them in the show.” In addition to this quirky rule, MTC often ‘double casts’ lead roles and thus has a ‘Black’ and ‘Gold’ Cast.
Mark said: “It’s a lot harder to double cast, but it is worth it. We do things differently than other theater companies, but it works for us.”
As the years went on, the number of productions grew. By year four in 2006, MTC was asked to do a Summer Theater Camp because there were none in the area available at the time. Despite the growth in popularity of other local summer theater camps, they have run the camp successfully for the past 18 years. Because MTC continued to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, producing 19 live musicals, the New Jersey Association of Community Theater (NJACT) named MTC its “Outstanding Community Theater Of The Year” for 2022.
Currently, MTC’s productions occur all year round and average about 16 productions a season, a huge increase from their humble beginnings in 2003. They have produced 218 shows and are currently running the critically acclaimed, The Music Man. Mark attributes the organization’s success in productions, outreach, and adaption because “the Moorestown Theatre Company doesn’t like to say no.” Their ability to grow and adapt to new barriers to entry, not just as an organization but also for the community they are trying to serve with the joy of community theater, has led to their innovative programming initiative, The Penguin Project.
Accessibility: The Penguin Project
The Penguin Project was presented to the Moorestown Theater Company during a theater workshop that the co-founders attended. The presenter at one of these workshops was Dr. Andrew Morgan, who described The Penguin Project to the workshop attendees and strongly encouraged them to incorporate it into their programming.
Dr. Morgan had told Mark, “It will help neurodiverse kids and grow your staff’s heart. It’s worth it.”
While interested, Mark was worried about being able to provide accessibility and funding to keep the theater company running. However, Dr. Morgan reassured him, “This program is worth it,” he confidently told Mark. “You will get the funding and support no problem to make this program work, but it is so fulfilling once you do it, you won’t want to stop.”
And so Mark and his team decided to incorporate the Penguin Project into their own programming, with a production of Annie JR. this past April. For becoming New Jersey’s first chapter of the nationwide Penguin Project, MTC received the ‘Innovator Award’ from the New Jersey Theatre Alliance at its Cultural Access Network’s Awards Luncheon on June 15.
The Moorestown Theater Company had to rent accessible equipment to accommodate the kids participating in the Penguin Project, and it was worth every ounce of extra effort put into this programming.
“Our 'Penguins' are so excited to perform lead roles. The Penguin Project program became such a highlight for each of them,” Mark told us during his interview.
Advice for South Jersey Performers
Mark’s advice for South Jersey performers, both neurotypical and neurodiverse, disabled and non-disabled, is the same.
“The more experience you get performing, the better you get. You must always continue learning through acting, dancing, and voice classes. You must keep furthering your education and improving your skills. And most importantly, temper your expectations.”
Moorestown Theatre Company is currently running the show, The Music Man, TODAY and Thursday night at 7 PM this week. If you want to attend or learn more about the Penguin Project and how they see themselves growing, visit them at https://www.moorestowntheatercompany.org/.
