Bonnie L. Vorenberg

A recent article I read focused on athletes and the things they can do. I reflected on the piece, realizing how you don't need to be an athlete to do many different forms of the arts. Neither do you need to be an athlete to thrive in Senior Theatre!

Senior Theatre works well with people of all abilities. It can be done seated, reading from a script or you can move around using script-in-hand techniques. If you incorporate blocking, they can be simple and easy-to-accomplish movements, not strenuous. You can memorize, or not. You can dance and sing, or not. The art form accommodates you, as you are.

Whatever your interest or stamina, there's a place for you in Senior Theatre--even if you are not an athlete!

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center, President

Shakespeare comes alive in this magical tale

We are really excited here at the Senior Theatre Resource Center to let you know about a new film that’s coming out soon. Still Dreaming follows a group of senior Broadway entertainers who emerge from retirement to reawaken their spirits and their dreams. As these actors give A Midsummer Night’s Dream a make-over, they stretch their physical, mental and emotional limits. They share the value of creativity at any age.

The film is currently edited and the producers are raising funds to finish post production. Watch a piece of the movie in this wonderful trailer and find out more information.

Join us in supporting this intriguing film about a group of actors in the roles of their lives. Please donate!

Fun at the ATHE 2013 conference in Orlando

The Senior Theatre sessions at the 2014 ATHE Conference are a great opportunity for you to contribute your expertise to a national audience. The conference will be held in Scottsdale, AZ at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess from July 24-27, 2014. We are looking for panel presentations, workshops, papers, and performances on topics like:

• Using theatre to advocate for senior issues and needs
• Sharing life stories for legacy and education
• Street Theatre for and with seniors
• Senior Theatre in retirement housing
• Senior Theatre for health, wellness
• Funding Senior Theatre
• New ideas in Senior Theatre
• Intergenerational Theatre
• Performances by Senior Theatre companies

Click here for the Application Form and plenty of information. Let us know your ideas!

"Sgt. Levy's Loney Hearts Club"

Short plays are Senior Theatre favorites. Select several that are based on a unifying message to create a cohesive production. Use these themes to build a very special show. Click on the titles below to learn more:

Online Dating

• Improv
• Senior Moments

Couples

• Bernie and the Beast
• Marty's Bromance
• Lost and Found
• Velma vs. Velma
• Louie and Louise
• Truth in Advertising
• Crossing the Bridge
• Blame Game
• Jus'Tus
• Sgt. Levy's Lonely Hearts Club
• Making a Move

Now is the perfect time to plan your holiday show. We've pulled together a list of our seasonal plays. Some are short, some are longer, all have the spirit of the holidays for you and your audience's pleasure! Click on the titles to read more about our fun favorites and to find out about the newest additions to our holiday collection.

• Mrs. Claus
• Mrs. Claus Gets Menopause
• The Christmas Police
• The Christmas Coffee
• Merry Christmas Caper
• Dance of the Sugar Plump Fairies
• Frank's 75th Christmas
• Scrooge With a Twist
• The Holiday Letter
• Santa Flunks Retirement

As the central information source for Senior Theatre, we are conducting a survey to assess the current status of Senior Theatre. Our goal is to understand the companies, groups, and classes along with their performers and audiences. We will compare the results with a survey we conducted in 2010. It will be interesting to learn how the field has changed or stayed the same.

Please have the director or the main instructor complete the survey. It will only take 10 minutes.

Thanks for your help!

They prance to the music as they circle the table. Their eyes glance at the multitude of artifacts laid out randomly. The music changes. The prance becomes a prowl. They focus on the artifacts, intent now on stirring up a memory. Memories are inspired…the little girl scared of merry-go-rounds, the woman learning of the passing of someone dear, the young man swooning with drink. Participants play out their memories through movement.

And this is the essence of the Create Health…One Story…One Dance at a Time Workshop. Suanne and Cynthia, who lead the session, are amazed when these movement pieces end on the music’s final note. After this magical experience, participants leave the workshop in a glow.

Cynthia Alicea, founder of Mindful Moves LLC, and Suanne Ferguson, founder of Tempo! have formed Ageless Adventures in Movement (AAIM). AAIM offers workshops, trainings, and seminars for those interested in the field of senior dance/movement.

As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.--Criss Jami

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