Bonnie L. Vorenberg

Last month we circulated a survey to better understand how companies use sound. The most exciting result was that the responders use amplification in 100% of their shows.

Sound is a critical element in Senior Theatre. Most companies feature primarily older actors who often have reduced lung capacity making it harder for them to project to the back of the house. Maybe more importantly, the groups usually perform for audiences which are mainly comprised of older people, many who have some hearing impairment. So, as one of the responders said, “It’s great if audiences can hear and understand the actors!”

Sound systems have four elements: microphones, some kind of support like a stand or headset, a mixer, and speakers. From there the similarities end. However there are many systems that are simple and easy to use. Turn first to your local theatrical supplier or to a rental company which can connect you with an inexpensive and effective system. In sound, go to the experts!

When evaluating equipment, look for ones with large buttons especially on mics so actors can easily switch them on/off during the show. Make sure that your mixer has enough power to accommodate the number of mics you are using. It's a good idea to try out the many different kinds of mics before buying.

Once the system is in place, schedule several rehearsals to incorporate sound. The actors should be so comfortable with the microphones that they can easily adjust them for greater sound coverage or turn them on/off, if needed. Use rehearsals to eliminate feedback which comes from speaker and mic placement and use the mixer to adjust for volume and vocal tone.

You’ll find that a great sound system is your best friend. The actors love it because it's dependable and they know that audiences will catch the nuances. Sound systems help audience members relax so they can listen, respond, laugh, and enjoy. They’ll even think your shows have improved, simply because they can hear them!

Yours in theatre,

Bonnie
ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center, President

Senior Theatre Festival comes to Atlantic City!

Under the Boardwalk, down by the sea
At the Senior Theatre Festival, that’s where we’ll be….

Please join us at Bally’s Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City to experience a kaleidoscope of:

• Workshops by leading experts in the field
• Performances reflecting works of Senior Theatre companies
• An attempt at the Guinness World Record
• Shopping and entertainment on the Pier
• Opportunities to network with theatre folk of like mind!

Fun at one of the ATHE 2013 workshops

The Senior Theatre program at the 2014 ATHE Conference is a great opportunity to connect with other Senior Theatre enthusiasts as you learn more about the field. Join us in Scottsdale, AZ at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess from July 24-27, 2014 for ground-breaking workshops, performances, and more!

The Lemon Bay Players perform "All the Living Room's a Stage"

The Lemon Bay Players in Florida recently selected a series of short shows to create one big, wonderful performance. Check out their program:

All the Living Room's a Stage
Little Bundles of Joy*
Grown Up Games
Mothers' Day*
The Helpmate

In another fun production, George Dicken in Mission, TX combined these plays together:

The Meeting
Lunch With Eddie
What's on TV?
Law and Disorder
With sketches from The Quibbles Radio Shows in between!

Try these combinations, or come up with your own and then tell us all about it!

*Featured in our upcoming Playreading Conference Call! For more information read the following article.

The Playreading Conference Call continues! Join other Senior Theatre enthusiasts for a live reading of Little Bundles of Joy and Mothers' Day. The playwrights will be present to hear your comments and answer your questions. You get a FREE script and stimulating discussion, for only $10. It's easy to take part--you dial the special phone number, enter the access code, and join the conversation. So sign up now. It is a lot of fun!

• Thursday, March 27, 2014
• 1:00PM PST (2:00PM MST, 3:00PM CST, 4:00PM EST.)

As a special bonus, register before March 11 and save $5!

We look forward to reading with you!

"The Hotel Lobbyist" in performance

How far will feisty senior, Goldalee Schneider, go to make her daughter Maxine listen to her? In this comedy, our protagonist resorts to a sit-in strike at the Holiday Inn! Goldalee has handcuffed herself to a chair to express her strong desire to go home rather than return to a community where her stalwart daughter thinks she’ll be safer. Relationships, autonomy, and independence are all explored in this award-winning comedy.

The Hotel Lobbyist by Bara Swain has been produced around the country and has received many awards including:

• International CityWrights Short Playwriting Festival, Miami, Florida- Finalist Winner!
  
• Method & Madness Festival, Denton Community Theatre, Denton, Texas- 2nd Prize
  
• International Jewish Short Play Competition- 1st Prize
  
• Raymond J. Flores Playwriting Prize- Winner
  
• 10 by 10 in the Triangle, NC- Finalist
  
• Fusion Theatre Company Short Play Festival- Finalist.
  
  

Seniors as Stars in a recent performance of "Love Conquers the Wild West."

Some players in Seniors as Stars may be novices in the world of theatre, but they all have plenty of experience on the stage of life. Organized in 2002, the group performs at senior centers, schools, churches, and theatres.

This month, six of the Seniors as Stars members will teach a 12-session acting program to seniors at Jenny Lind Hall in Springfield, MO. In late June, the group will perform for fellow residents. The show will include Readers Theatre Karaoke®: Love Conquers The Wild West and several autobiographical monologues written about their most prized possessions.

Created by director, Phyllis Frick, and taught by several retired educators, the group hopes to expand this exciting project to help create other Senior Theatre programs.

Frick, whose professional name is Phyllis Ford, started her own ballet and tap dance studio at age 14! After a career of acting, dancing, singing, and choreography in television and films, she received her masters degree in Theatre and Dance at Missouri State University in 2002. She founded Seniors as Stars as part of her masters project. Now, years later the group is known for polished productions that charm audiences!

The first thing to do when you turn 70 is to plan on being 80. — Edith Hamilton in The Greek Way

The Senior Theatre Resource Center catalog

Our catalog is filled with all things Senior Theatre--from short plays to full length shows and three-act musicals. Anything in Senior Theatre, we have it!

Check out our Facebook page.

Facebook: Have a more extended conversation by using our facebook page. Become a 'fan,' then send in information to keep the connection and the movement growing!