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ArtAge Publications
Newsletter
April, 2017
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Bonnie's Column
This month we salute playwrights. These creative individuals blend
their imagination with wordcraft to make their characters come
alive in plays filled with heart. Here at ArtAge, we are the
connectors, bringing the playwrights' work to the directors and actors
who interpret them for their audiences. When you hear applause,
it's because everyone involved helped to create yet another
success!
As we search for new shows to add to the collection, we value the
playwrights who have created the plays your actors and audiences
love. Here's to playwrights!
Yours in Theatre,
Bonnie L. Vorenberg
President, ArtAge Publications
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Send in Your Plays
We are selecting new plays, books, and materials for our 2018-19
catalog. Our goal is to meet the needs of older performers, from
amateur to professional, so the catalog has something for everyone,
from short and easy sketches to 3-act musicals.
What to
submit: The Senior Theatre collection features
plays and musicals of all lengths, but short shows which run up to
20 minutes are the most popular. Directors look for comedies with
mainly female casts that require few technical elements and ones
that can be staged as readers theatre. Successfully performed shows
have senior casts (or mostly senior) with up-to-date, feisty
characters in current situations. Well-written roles should
challenge performers, yet be fun to stage.
Learn more
by attending the Writing
Plays for Senior Theatre Discussion Group. Discover
how to craft shows that directors and actors will use. Attend on
Wednesday, April 12 at 2PM Pacific Time. It’s easy and only costs
$10. Sign up and immediately receive your access information. Call
in at the scheduled time and join a stimulating discussion about
plays for Senior Theatare. Don't worry if you can't attend; we can
send a link to the recording after the session. Click here to sign up for the Discussion
Group
Before you submit, please review our catalog and read Writing Plays for Senior Theatre.
Follow the Writers' Guidelines where you will
find complete submission information for your hard copy material.
Let us know your questions. We look forward to reading your work!
Deadline: June
15, 2017
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Profiles in Senior Theatre:
The
Unexpected Company
Founders of The Unexpected Company
In May, 2005, fueled by the enthusiasm and vitality of a group of
active community volunteers, nine women launched a fresh option for
entertainment in Laramie, Wyoming. Spearheaded by Germaine St.
John, the group included Mary Mountain, Gladys Crane, Jan Webster,
Billie Gross, Sue McLean, Sonya Meyer, Vera Reid, and Bonnie
Miller. They wondered if Senior Theatre might have a shot in
Laramie. Would Laramie seniors actually stage theatre for the
public--participating not only as actors, but working behind the
scenes with scenery, props, lighting, sound, makeup, and costumes?
After 18 successful productions, the answer is a resounding
YES!
See The Unexpected Company in action in the April issue of the AARP Magazine. Click here to read more about the company.
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Featured show:
Wrinkles
Greg Evans
90-minute
musical
4 men, 4
women plus extras if possible
The creator of the hit comic strip Luann brings you a
fresh new musical about joys, challenges, and the importance of
wearing wrinkles with pride.
One surprise-filled, extraordinary day is filled with humor and
heartwarming moments as friends go through their daily life. It all
leads to an unexpected twist which reminds us to appreciate every
moment!
We loved
the humor, catchy tunes, and uplifting message! --Audience member
A hit at the Welk Resorts Theatre in San Diego, the show is easy to
produce with a simple set and can be staged as readers theatre,
script-in-hand, or as a fully-mounted production. Works equally
well with an orchestra or a single piano!
Get the script and the music on a two-month loan for $5!
Click here to read more, see FreeViews, and
to listen to some of the music
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Our shows are being staged!
Our shows are appearing on many stages in so many
locations. Here are just a few of them. Take a moment to learn more
about their playwrights and see the other
shows they've written!
Click on each title to learn more about it, read a FreeView, and
order your perusal copy. Save $5 on E-scripts of these shows until April 15.
Old Hams by Bob Rinfret
2 hour comedy
4 men, 6 women
The residents of the Ophelia L. Davis Home for Actors, Musicians,
and Singers have called it home for 40 years. Now, their
performances have to save the day.
The Speeding Ticket by Bob Naquin
15 minute comedy
1 woman, 2 either
Starlight Moon knows how to talk her way out of a speeding ticket.
Is she telling the truth or not? So funny!
Casserole
Casanova by Herb McCollom
50-60 minute comedy
2 men, 5 women
Roger, recently widowed, is visited by five women friends bearing
gifts of food. Competition ensues with hilarious results.
Just a Song at Twilight
by Marcia Savin
25 minute romantic comedy
1 man, 1 woman
After unpacking from her move to a senior apartment, an older woman
goes to the park and meets another tenant. Do they share a past?
Can lost love be recovered?
Navy Bean Soup by Wes Wetzel
15 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman, 1 offstage voice
In this hilarious comedy inspired by a PBS show, the broadcast of
the sophisticated Madame
DuJour Men's Cooking Show is seriously sidetracked by
the guest host, a sloppy and overweight retired Navy cook.
Tech Support by Arthur Keyser
15 minute comedy
2 men or 2 women or 2 either
An older person calls tech support to get their new computer and
printer working. On the other end of the line, somewhere in
Calcutta, India, tech support is anything but helpful!
The Wish by Sherry Churchill
8 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman, 1 either
A longtime married couple's inability to understand each other
leads to a wish, and Somebody Upstairs is listening. Be careful
what you wish for!
The Appraisal by Fred Sahner
8 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women, or 4 women
The popular TV program Antique
Side Show has rolled into town and excitement is in the
air. Hopes, dreams, and wacky fantasies have replaced common sense.
Blame Game
by Linda LaRocque
10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Working together, playing together, having a family together, this
long time married couple knew each other well...or so they thought.
Contact us if you need
help making selections!
Save $5 on E-scripts of these shows
until April 15.
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Visit our
ever-changing website!
Download
our catalog:
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