Bonnie L. Vorenberg

Senior Theatre, like other groups, can be affected by dissention. What started out as a great group grinds to halt as disagreements escalate. Members don’t get along with each other or with the director. They quibble, give direction to other actors, and complain, complain, complain. If the conflict is left to fester, actors drop out or the group fails. At the very least, the discord makes Senior Theatre into a less pleasurable experience for everyone.

When I directed my Senior Theatre company, I made it clear that, “Complaining was not acceptable” and urged actors to come to any of the directors and we would listen to any of their problems. It worked! We had such a cooperative company that members regularly told us that “This is the most positive group of any kind I’ve ever been in!”

There are several ways to keep the conflicts to a minimum:

The director makes decisions. It is important that from the first meeting, the chain of command is clearly stated and reinforced. Welcome input from participants but the director makes final decisions on all the many questions including play selection, casting, and all the other rehearsal and performance decisions. As my directing professor in college taught us, “Theatre is not a democracy.”

Set clear expectations. Make it clear from the beginning what is expected from actors and what they can expect from the director. Establish rules, write them down, and have participants sign them.

Reward cooperation. Be sure to reward great behavior from actors and don’t hesitate to remind people of the agreement.

Director Helena Reynolds was having problems with internal conflict until she created an agreement that cast members must sign so they can participate. It’s been working like a dream. Everyone involved is happier and the shows are better. Below is the agreement. Use it and create a company that is more peaceful…and productive!

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center, President

Our new program, the Playreading Conference Call, was a hit when we read The Secret to Making the Perfect Lasagna with the test group that joined our experiment last month. Because of its success, we are inviting the first 15 respondents to become a part of the next Playreading Conference call scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 at 1:00PM PST (2:00PM MST, 3:00PM CST, 4:00PM EST.)

You will have the opportunity to find a script that works for you and to listen to how a show sounds. The cost $10. We look forward to reading with you!

"Senior Moments" to become a film

Playwright, Don Fried tells us his screenplay has been optioned for a film! Check out his award-winning show Senior Moments which has been performed to rave reviews in the U.S. and Canada.

Lily Tomlin joins The Pink Lady in 'Friend Raiser'

The Pink Lady and Barbara Van Orden present a Senior Star Power Productions 'Friend Raiser' and a teaser for the company's new musical revue, We Have A Dream. The event features guests Lily Tomlin, Florence Henderson, George Chakiris, Larry Mathers, and others in Los Angeles, CA.

Senior Star Power Productions is embarking on a journey to establish a year-round theatrical performing arts complex for seniors in Hollywood. Their mission is to engage, inspire, and enrich the lives of seniors through the arts.

Photo by Roger Bargainnier

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
• Memories of a Wonderful Life

When the director told us that he's going to stage a show on New Year's Eve, we thought it was a great idea. As he said, "Nothing happens on News Year's Eve!" So, try it. Ring in the New Year with some of these short, festive pieces:

• The Oldest Living Graduation Speaker
• Sgt Levy's Lonely Hearts Club
• It's Time for Bingo
• The Further Adventures of Super Hero and Doris Drive
• Crossing the Bridge
• Little Bundles of Joy
• On Purpose
• Norma's List
• The Stick-Up
• Starting Over
• A Wasted Gift
• We Rocked Around the Clock
• Auld Lang Syne
• Made for Each Other

Jill Ross at the 2013 ATHE Conference in Orlando

Congratulations to Jill L. Ross for winning the 2013 Innovator Award from the International Council on Active Aging! Jill is the Lifestyle Director at the Sarasota Bay Club where her inventive work in Senior Theatre improvisation and creative playwriting won her the recognition.

Jill holds a BA in Theatre and an MS in Therapeutic Recreation with an emphasis in Gerontology and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. For thirty years she has worked with seniors and has been an instructor at Southern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac College, and Bridgeport University.

Attendees of the 2013 ATHE Conference in Orlando will remember Jill from her vibrant workshop, Use Social Commentary & Murder Mysteries to Create and Perform Original Scripts.

We wish Jill the best of luck as she continues to creatively pursue the many facets of Senior Theatre.

Robert Montgomery loved our story last month about finding a Senior Theatre experience that fits your ability level. He sent us this fitting quote:

Nor do I now miss the bodily strength of the young man any more than as a young man I missed the strength of a bull or an elephant. You should use what you have, and whatever you may chance to be doing, do it with all your might...The great affairs of life are not performed by physical strength, or activity, or by nimbleness of body, but by deliberation, character, and expression of opinion. Of these, old age not only has, but as a rule has them in a greater degree. --Cicero

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