The entire show was being taped, including this scene

You could almost call it, 'the shot heard around the world.' That's what it's been for the Sarasota Senior Theatre.

On January 19, the company was in rehearsal for Of Mice and Men when Bill Brody picked up a pistol he'd borrowed from another cast member to use in the scene. The script calls for Brody to shoot the back of the head of Fred Kellerman, another actor. Instead of being a fake prop, what came out was a bullet from a fully loaded 32-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver. The bullet grazed Kellerman's ear. After a quick stop at the hospital, he's healing well.

The incident reminded me of times in my own work when accidents happened. We were performing at the Oregon State Fair on a riser about four feet high, when one of the actors fell off the back of the platform. Out of the view of the audience, he pulled himself back onto the riser and completed the show. What a trouper!

Another time, I was in the audience at the Senior Theatre Festival in Las Vegas when a performer was taking her bow. With the bright lights in her eyes and enthused by the audience's applause, she took an extra step on the curved stage and plunged into the orchestra pit. In other words, accidents happen.

When you think about safety, there are the usual elements that you have to consider with any cast, then there are the extras that you need to add when working with older actors. After the incident, the Sarasota Senior Theatre has reviewed their safety policies. When was the last time you looked at yours?

Contact us for the safety elements that I think you should remember.

Some good things have come from this unfortunate incident. Though the Sarasota Senior Theatre has done quality theatre for years, the company finally has the media swarming around their doors. The story began in the local paper and was picked up by CNN and eventually carried by UPI International which spread it to the UK, Australia, and other countries. It's lead to more publicity for the company's upcoming show Hollywood: The Musical on February 27, 28 and March 1, 2009. 

Fortunately, Fred was not seriously injured. Still, it's a good lesson, a reminder to keep safety in mind. You just never know what might happen! 

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center, President 

The Theatre of Memories: Creating Oral History Revues

It's only a few days from Valentine's Day, but we have some plays that are so easy that you can quickly pull off a reading or even a short play.

Consider some single plays:

• Gin & Tonic
• Coconut Creme Pie
• Gifts from the Heart
• Sand Dancing
• Just a Song at Twilight
• Roses to Plan
• A Garden of Beetles

Consider short skits:

• A Fine Day for February: You can find it in Skits for Seniors: Holiday Plays
• Carol Burnett's Old Folks Sketches 
  

Also, a longer musical revue that's very popular, not too difficult, and very touching is The Book of Love which is in The Theatre of Memories.

In this new newsletter section, we're going to highlight ideas that come across our desks in hopes they will work for you.

Keeping up with new materials. When you read books, magazines, or online, look for readings, cuttings, and other pieces that can be used in Senior Theatre, either in the classroom or on stage. You'll sense it when you a read a special piece--it hits your instinct all at once. You just know it'll be great. 

Don't wait, cut out the piece, scan it, or just place it in a file folder. Before you use it, be sure you are aware of copyright restrictions.

For instance, this piece from the February issue of the wonderful Sun Magazine, spoke to us. Read Who Dies, by Stephen and Ondrea Levine and see if speaks to you also!

This is our favorite grantwriting book

This seems to be a good time for fundraising. Even though the economic situation is challenging, we're happy to report that Senior Theatres are getting funded. Here are only two of the grant awards that have recently come across our desks:

· Stagebridge in Oakland, California received a $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant as part of the first Creativity & Aging in America 2009 grants. The second recognition, the 2009 MetLife MindAlert Award from the American Society on Aging, is one of three awarded each year.

· The Vagabond Players in Pleasant Hill, California received a two year grant from the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation for $40,000, with $10,000 structured as a matching grant to be awarded if the company raises another $10,000.

The trick in writing Senior Theatre grants is to highlight the benefits. Now, with two statistical studies, we have real numbers you can use in the rationale sections of grants.

Last month we announced the new study about the benefits of Senior Theatre. Many readers of this newsletter enjoyed getting the information so contact us if you'd like to know more. 

Include in your grants, details about the vibrancy of Senior Theatre--the who, where, and why's. We've gathered all the numbers and have them for you to use. They're in our Fundraisng TipSheet.

So, get busy and write those grants!

The Golden Age Variety performs

Golden Age Variety is an award-winning performing arts company, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, featuring a dynamic and talented cast of senior performers, ages 55+. They sing.....they dance.....they perform comedy skits......they dazzle and delight their enthusiastic and loyal audiences year after year!

After fourteen years, the group is still going strong, performing to sold-out audiences, including tour groups who come to their shows from all over Ontario and bordering U.S. states.

During the year, members of the company also entertain throughout the community and the province of Ontario, bringing their considerable talents to retirement homes, long-term care facilities, conventions, and conferences.

Their 14th annual show, The Best of Times, will be have six performances from April 22-25, at the Dofasco Centre for the Arts (Theatre Aquarius) in downtown Hamilton.

Don't delay! Contact them NOW to book a tour bus or buy tickets.