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ArtAge’s Senior Theatre Resource Center |
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We continually expand our collection of plays and books to include special books and plays that you’ll enjoy. Check out our new items!
VOLUNTEERING HAS ITS MOMENTS By Ann Pugh Older performers have been enjoying Ann Pugh’s work for a long time. She is the author of The Day They Kidnapped Blanche in New Plays for Mature Actors and The Christmas Coffee, both are popular scripts in our collection. So, we asked Ann to write this play for volunteer recognition events. This tribute to volunteers can be easily performed by novices who can read the script. It’s a 20 minute-long comedy that is fun for both performers and the audience. The play centers on a televised tribute to volunteers moderated by Megs Abbott, a popular TV personality who is substituting for "Opal" on the show. Her five guests (5 women or 4 women/1 man) are stellar volunteers. They present funny and quirky adventures, “moments,” that have been submitted to the TV show from folks around the nation. The well defined characters clash during the production but in the end, are brought together by the warm spirit of volunteering. Senior Theatre companies and volunteer organizations will enjoy this theatrical tribute that's fun and easy to perform. Available as an e-script or in hard copy. “Delightful, I burst out laughing...wonderful! A hit! Jessica Cunningham, Volunteer Cordinator, Redding CA $15.00
31 HUMOROUS, NEW SKITS AND COMEDY SCENES By Bob Redd Bob Redd is back with his latest book of easy plays for older actors. Here, he's written 31 short 1 man, 1 woman plays that bring to life a middle class couple, Jack and Irma. They'll tickle your funny bone as they struggle with the ups, downs, and transitions of retirement living. The dialogue is based on the format used by performers like George Burns and Gracie Allen, a married couple who grew up on the vaudeville stage and then graduated into radio. Your going to enjoy their unique look at retirement life! Like all of Bob's other plays, the plays are easy to stage and royalty free. This book of 31 plays follows Bob's others, "23 Humorous, New, Skits and Comedy Scenes," "21 Humorous, New, Skits and Comedy Scenes" and "25 Humorous, New, Skits and Comedy Scenes." Now, Bob has written 100 short plays! Each book is $24.95.
By Pam Schweitzer There are several wonderful books on how to use life stories to create theatre. Now they are joined by the latest addition, Reminiscence Theatre by Pam Schweitzer. Pam founded Age Exchange Theatre Trust in 1983. It was the first full-time professional theatre company that toured reminiscence theatre across the UK and Europe. In 2000 Pam was awarded the MBE for services to Reminiscence and she continues to direct the European Reminiscence Network, lecturing, directing and training in reminiscence and related fields. In 1993, Pam founded and was Artistic Director of the Good Companions, a Senior Theatre, which produced 10 original productions, that were performed throughout the UK and Europe. Reminiscence Theatre is a comprehensive guide to the nature, practice and therapeutic effects of reminiscence theatre. Drawing on examples from a range of real-life case studies, Pam Schweitzer provides practical advice on how to draw out oral histories, create a script, and develop the material into a dramatic production from your life experience. “Reminiscence Theatre is a welcome record of an important movement in community theatre since the 1980’s. It describes through lots of examples how drama can be a means of sharing between generations and of celebrating personal and local history. Given the plentiful examples, this is something of a “how to” book as well, and I can imagine other people taking it up and trying things out in their own community.” Heather Neill, judge of the Theatre Book Prize 2006-7, Society for Theatre Research, speaking at the Theatre Museum awards. $34.95
Edited by Ann McDonough and Douglas Hill You’ll want to include this new volume of plays in your library! Complied by the folks at UNLV, the book has ten plays that feature mature characters who are dynamic and romantic! The book is very useful because it includes plays that range from monologue length, to ten-minute scripts and to one acts. 130 pages. A must-have for anyone interested in the latest in Senior Theatre entertainment. Click here for details about the plays in this book $18.95
By Amy Gorman Amy profiles 12 visual and performing artists from age 85-105. This rich collection of photos and recollections demonstrate the value of creativity during any age of our lives. Includes “7 Songs of Women’s Lives,” a CD by Frances Kandl. They are based on the women featured in “Aging Artfully.” A lovely book, inspiring...a joy to read and share.”Aging Artfully received a bronze medal in the 2007 Independent Publisher National and Regional Book Awards! “Gorman shows the satisfaction and productivity that positive attitudes bring to lives long-lived.” Ken Dychtwald Ph.D. $20.00
By Joy Reilly Learn how to transform your life experience into theatre. Joy Reilly takes you through the writing process as you create monologues that reflect your own story. Use her company, Howling at the Moon, as your model. Their monologues, from funny to deeply personal, will inspire you. They can be used in class or in readings. The 38 monologues are arranged so that they are ready to be peformed...making a show that’s easy to put together, with strong impact. Click here to read more about Howling at the Moon. ”Joy Reilly’s techniques make lifewriting easy, creative and rewarding. On stage, it goes beyond storytelling. The space between the performers and the audience is filled with a powerful impact that stays with you!” joan e. kole, Artistic Director, AgeQuake Theatre $19.95
By Ann McDonough This practical guide will lead you and your group step-by-step through the process of developing and creating an oral history theatre revue. From selecting a theme to inspiring stories to editing your script, this exciting new work is sure to capture and preserve special memories, stories and insights from a variety of age groups! $29.95
By Art Shulman 5 women, 1 man (5 players, 1 coach), a 20 minute comedy The team in the Over 60 Women's Park Basketball league has had a terrible first half. They’re losing to Little Sisters of Mercy--a silent order of nuns who play in long skirts. It’s half time and the Coach is beside himself because his team of slow moving, slow reacting ladies is losing 59-6. His efforts to motivate his team don’t seem to work. But then he thinks of a solution about how to neutralize the competition. This fast moving play has plenty of action from the well-drawn characters. Lots of fun! Recent winner in Canada’s Senior Olympics play production contest. Available as an E-script or on paper. Read how Elizabeth Snell produced the show $15.00
THE CHRISTMAS COFFEE by Ann Pugh 3 females, 1 special walk-on role, a 20 minute comedy The social committee of a senior center prepares for their annual Christmas Coffee. As bossy chairwoman Ruby fusses, Sandra, an easily intimidated worker and Lucy, a fashionable snob, hastily prepare for a special performance by a madrigal choir. To everyone’s surprise, a hip-hop rapper appears onstage, secretly hired by a vindictive employee. A light, lively, fun holiday script that’s easy to produce. Great for readers theatre. (Available on email with Word, WordPerfect or on Paper) $15.00
By Vicki Bartholomew 5 women, comedy Five women, retired sisters Maryln and Betty get together with their three friends, Cora, Peggy and Alice for Coffee and a recipe exchange. They discover, to their amazement and chagrin, that they have all been cooking for the same lovely man! The resolution to the dilemma is clever and charming. $8.50
By Carol M. Woods 1man, 6 women, comedy The ladies meet at Suzie’s home for a game of poker--which they know little if anything about. Suzie’s husband sticks his 2-cents in and the game disintegrates into a sharing of makeup and poker-bridge. 20-25 minutes. $8.50
If you discover a play, book, video, CD...anything that you think will be useful to others in Senior Theatre, please contact us. We’ll consider adding it to the collection! |
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SUMMER DREAMS/WINTER WISHES 
AGING ARTFULLY
THE THEATRE OF MEMORIES: Creating Oral History Revues
AT HALF TIME
