July 2021

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Bonnie's Column

 

With things opening up after the pandemic, things are busting out all over! It's difficult to decide what direction to take. There are so many thoughts I'd like to share with you. At the heart of it all, is my joy seeing the return of Senior Theatre! Directors are reading plays. Shows are being cast. Performances are being staged. In fact, the latest Gallup poll found that 6 out of 10 people said they are "Thriving!" It is such good news.

I'm noticing a few trends. While a few directors are reaching first for shows that are thoughtful, most are choosing light comedies. Everyone wants to be as low tech as possible to keep the focus on script and acting, rather than on scenery and costumes.

Directors are adjusting their techniques. Actors are a bit rusty, still wary of making connections, and are just now putting their feet back into what we used to call “normal.” This means that some companies are beginning with acting classes as a way to freshen up skills and make the group cohesive again.

Whether you're a director, actor, or playwright, my word of advice is to “Go slowly.” Acknowledge that this past year has been a life-changing event. We need to focus on the fundamentals as we ease back into our theatrical lives. Soon enough, we’ll be rockin’ and rollin’ again!
 

Yours in theatre,

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
President, ArtAge Publications

A Refresher on the Basics

As Senior Theatre groups re-open, we've had a number of questions about what we call, "The Basics" of copyright, royalties, and filming. Much of the misunderstanding comes from the trickiness of "intellectual property." It's hard to imagine someone owning an idea, but authors actually own their creative works and they have the right to control if their work is copied, performed, displayed, or altered. When you buy a play, you don't own the words, thoughts, and characters behind it. The playwright does, just as she may own a car. To use that car, you need to rent it, which is what royalties are--a license to perform the show.

Here are two of our most common questions:

Why do I need cast copies?
Photocopying is strictly prohibited by copyright law. However, since we want to encourage you to perform, we offer cast copies at a reduced price.

Why do I need to delete plays that were streamed?
Prior to the pandemic, we did not allow groups to videotape or stream shows. Last year, however, because we wanted Senior Theatre to continue, we set up a system to accommodate Zoom and other electronic media. But protecting works from being copied is challenging when the creative work is placed online. To compensate our playwrights for taking on this additional risk, you must purchase a streaming license and delete the materials after the performance.

As a general rule, to stay out of trouble, don't post another person's creative work on the internet without their permission. 

Following the rules of engagement are important! Not only do the laws protect against the misuse or outright theft of the playwrights' plays, you need to be aware that infringement of copyrights can come with hefty penalties.

Click to see the ArtAge Performance and Royalty Guidelines and our Frequently Asked Questions. 

 

Our Plays are Being Performed!

It's so great to hear that shows are being staged in real life again.

Bingo Ladies Gone Bad was performed in Florida, Maryland, and California
15 minutes, 7 women
The ladies of the Perfect Petunias Garden Club pull out all the stops at the yearly luncheon and bingo game.

Mother Goose, State Your Case was staged in Pennsylvania
10-40 minutes, flexible cast from 9 to 31
The trials of some seriously funny crimes that have transpired in the world of Mother Goose. This flexible length show is so very adaptable!

Casserole Casanova was a hit in California
50-60 minute farce, 2 men, 5 women
Five women use food to compete for Roger's attention. So popular!

Jack Benny's Not 39 Any More will be staged in Nevada
80 minute comedy, 4 men, 3 women, 1 either
Norman's schemes are interrupted by a new neighbor who's an old flame. 
 

Save $5 on Select E-Scripts!

Celebrate getting together again with friends and family by performing shows based on parties and reunions! The following e-scripts are on sale until July 15, 2021.

High School Reunion
10 minute comedy, 3 men
Patrick, 101 years old, at his annual high school reunion, is in for a surprise.

Let’s Party
20 minute comedy, 3 men, 3 women
Sam is planning an un-surprise birthday party for his wife, Valerie, who overhears words like "bud" and "pot" and "weed." But the party contains an unexpected surprise!

Gerald’s Dream
35 minute comedy, 5 women, 1 either, plus extras
In a dream, Gerald relives his high school transformation from nerd to regular boy. It's a positive, touching, and heart-warming show!

A Brief History of Mah Jongg
40 minute comedy, 5-6 women
Three feisty women return to their beloved Mah Jongg game from years before. Award-winning comedy about the power of women’s friendships.

Shenanigans at the Blue Pelican Inn
75 minute comedy, 3 men, 5 women
Owners Sophie and George have their hands full with all their quirky lodgers at the Blue Pelican Inn, where almost anything can happen!

The Reunion at Mt. Sanguine
90 minute comedy, 4 men 6 women
This warm and humorous script of a 50th high school reunion brings a colorful group to their Midwestern roots along with their pasts and futures. 

Reunited
98 minute comedy, 2 men, 5 women, 1 female voice
When four sorority sisters get together for a reunion week of fun and frolic, the gathering doesn’t go as planned. A delightful story about friendship.

Back in the Dreamtime
1 hour, 40 minute musical comedy in 2-acts, 4 men, 7 women
A musical set at a 47th high school reunion in a small town, a sometimes melancholy, sometimes joyous gathering. Easy show, fun to perform! The perusal copy comes with the script and the music on sale for only $10.

Hurry — the sale ends July 15!

Why I Do Senior Theatre
by Regina Ford

 
Let’s applaud live theatre! The pandemic brought the curtain down on the company I direct, the GVR Players in Green Valley, AZ. We are now up and running again. As one of the oldest theatre groups south of Tucson, it was a natural that we would bounce back.
 
For me, working with older actors is just the right mix of creativity, challenge, and reward. It allows me to use my theatre background to build the performers' self esteem and make them feel valuable. Our actors range from rank novices to seasoned performers but no matter their abilities, it brings me joy when I can stand back and see actors relishing in their 15 minutes of fame onstage. Theatre is almost the perfect creative outlet for seniors--challenging, artistic, and fun for the performers as they bring laughter to audience members. It energizes me!

When I talk to people who want to start doing Senior Theatre, I always say, “Bring your patience and your enthusiasm so you can release your performers’ inner talents.” Begin with one of my favorite ArtAge plays, Chatterton Country Club. It’s so clever! The ArtAge shows really hit home for my seniors because the performers can identify with the characters, embrace the themes, and are at just the right level of difficulty so they can be staged with great success. 
 
Our GVR Players are making plans for their upcoming performances. I know when I hear applause after our first live show, I will have tears in my eyes. The pandemic has been a challenge but we're still here! I hope it's the same for you.
 
Click here to see more information about the GVR Players

Download our catalog:

The largest collection of plays, books, materials, and information for older performers.
 

Contact us at:

PO Box 19955, Portland OR 97280
503-246-3000 or 800-858-4998
bonniev@seniortheatre.com     www.seniortheatre.com

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