29-05-2025
Community rallies around LCT's Penguin Project
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – When the National Endowment for the Arts unexpectedly withdrew grant funding for La Crosse Community Theatre's 2025 Penguin Project production of The Big Bad Musical, the news was a blow. The loss of this federal support, due to shifting national funding priorities, left a critical gap in resources for one of LCT's most inclusive and beloved programs.
But the community didn't hesitate.
In just a matter of weeks, individual donors, local businesses, and longtime supporters stepped forward with generosity and heart. Not only was the funding gap filled, but community contributions surpassed the original NEA grant amount, ensuring the Penguin Project continues to thrive this season. Erik Vose, Executive Director of La Crosse Community Theatre, said, 'The Penguin Project is more than a performance. It's a celebration of possibility. This community showed what it truly values. We may have lost a grant, but we gained a powerful reminder of how much people care. While we'll continue to welcome support, the very best way to uplift our Penguins right now is to come see the show. Buy a ticket. Be part of their audience. You won't regret it.'
The Penguin Project is a nationwide program that provides theatre opportunities for young artists with developmental disabilities and special needs, pairing them with peer mentors for a fully staged musical production. The Big Bad Musical will be performed June 13th through the 15th in the Lyche Theatre at the Weber Center for the Arts.
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