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Meet our staff
We are so incredibly lucky to have all of these amazing people working together to create the best production possible.
Director: Jackie Gunderson (she/her)
Being the Director of the Penguin Project of McLean County is Jackie's favorite hat to wear! Jackie has been with the program since 2014. Outside of Penguin Project, Jackie works at Illinois State University in the Purchasing Department, and volunteers her time with several local organizations. When she is not working or hanging out with the Penguin Project family, you can find her in her favorite pair of roller skates playing roller derby, enjoying Constitution Trail on the Healing Rides bike, or hanging out with her spouse, Cecil, and fur kids at home. Jackie attended Illinois Central College and Illinois State University, studying Special Education, and she graduated from Lincoln College ABE Program, studying Organizational Leadership, where she was chosen as the 2021 Lincoln Academy Student Laureate.
Producer: Emma Barth (she/her)
Emma Barth has been involved in Penguin Project since 2011. When she first started she was a mentor and was a mentor in High School Musical Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., Little Mermaid Jr., Madagascar Jr., and Willy Wonka Jr. Emma became the first mentor to age out of the McLean County Penguin Project and was then offered a position on the staff, where she was first a production assistant and now she is so excited to serve as the Mentor Coordinator.
Emma currently works as a Special Education Teacher at Normal Community West High School and Penguin Project is a large reason as to why she chose the career path that she did. In her free time when she is not at Penguin, she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, watching movies and playing board games.
Choreographers: Tre Campbell (he/they) and Nakiya Rice (she/her)
Tre and Nakiya joined the creative team in 2024 - they will be co-choreographing Spongebob The Musical, and bring a whole lot of talent and positive energy to the team.
Music Director: Kiki Keeney (she/they)
Kiki (she/her) is honored to collaborate with the amazing directing team for the Penguin Project here in Bloomington-Normal! Kiki is a K-5 Music Specialist for Unit 5 schools, working with both general and special education classes. She loves the opportunity to work with all ages, from elementary through high school, as they develop more advanced skills and a deeper appreciation for music and musical theatre, making opportunities to bring theatre aspects into her music room on a regular basis. Previously, Kiki has worked as a vocal director for community and high school music productions in Eldridge, Iowa, such as "The Little Mermaid," "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat," and "Seussical." She is excited to be back working with student actors, now in her hometown!
Costume Designer: Stacy Brown (she/her)
This is Stacy's first year as Costume Lead, but she is not new to the Penguin Family!
Penguin Coordinator : Paula Collins (she/her)
Miss Paula has been with the Penguin Project of McLean County since the beginning. She has worked as a volunteer coordinator, assistant music advisor, Mentor Coordinator, and is returning again as Penguin Coordinator. Paula is a Job Coach for the VTAP program which is apart of the Unit 5 School District 18-21 program. She is also involved with the Seedling Theatre for the Young at heart as their Music Director. Paula likes to spend time at Church, time with her daughter, and teach voice. She graduated from Illinois State University with a B.M.E. in Music.
Mentor Coordinator : Emily Johnson (she/her)
Emily is transitioning from Production Assistant to Mentor Coordinator for the 2025 Season!
Stage Manager: Judy Stroh
Judy has been involved with the Penguin Project since the beginning. She enjoys each and every production and the people she gets to work with. She is a former special education teacher who is now working as an optometric assistant.
