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Bonnie's Column
OK, so there's a pandemic, then add a recession, and mix in some
civil unrest. What a state we are in! With one challenge after
another, Senior Theatre artists might feel like throwing in the
towel. I mean, with all the strong forces in play, how can our voices
be heard? Surely, they'll be drowned out in the fray.
This is how I was feeling when a catalog landed on my desk, urging
readers like me to "fear less, imagine more." Marie
Curie's words touched me. I was transfixed. So, now whenever I
begin to fear about the future of Senior Theatre and how ArtAge can
better serve in these un-parallelled times, I turn back to those
words.
Now is a time to imagine. It's a frequently used skill for us as
theatre artists, plus we are survivors. When we can't meet in person,
we go online. When we need to learn new skills, we step up to the
plate. When we feel fear, we imagine possibilities.
So, take a serious look at your Senior Theatre and discover how it
can adapt, to pivot, so you will be able to move onward through the
storm!
Best in theatre,
Bonnie L. Vorenberg
President, ArtAge Publications
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Teach Senior Theatre Classes online
Susie Boyd and
DeLeon Grabowski in the recent "Tech Support"
streaming
production which reached 798 viewers
Since we can't meet with our Senior Theatre groups in person, now
is a great time to take the learning online. It's fun, stimulating,
and not as difficult as it sounds!
Join us to learn how to create a theatre experience using online
tools. Maintain your group’s energy as you explore plays and maybe
even rehearse for a streaming production. See it as a stimulating
experience so your seniors' hearts, minds, and bodies will continue
to be engaged in the work we all love.
This session will be led by Bonnie L. Vorenberg
who will combine her many years of teaching theatre to older actors
with her recent online educational experiences. She will help you
get familiar with the basics so you can get up and running quickly.
Learn how to:
- Set up an online class
- Adapt your activities to online settings
- Lead improv and creative drama using
teacher tools
- Choose and work with scripts
- Navigate the policies that govern online
theatre
We will also discuss class format, lesson plans,
plays that work well for streamed classes, and hear from Senior
Theatre directors who have moved their classes online.
When: Tuesday, June 23 at 1PM Pacific (2PM
Mountain, 3PM Cental, 4PM Eastern)
Where: On
Zoom. After you register, we will send the link to you. We look
forward to working with you!
Cost:
$20
Click here to learn more and to register
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Streaming soon: Love in 4/4
Time
Love in 4/4
Time by Gary Young is a humorous, poignant story of
lifelong love in the time of dementia. It will be streamed online
on Friday, June 26, at 1, 4, and 7 PM Pacific Time.
In Love in 4/4 Time,
the four characters draw on their sense of humor and personal
strength to wrestle with their futures. Both sensitive and
thoughtful, the show helps audience members better understand and
navigate Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mental health issues.
The director, Jack Liggett, says, "I was looking for a play
with current relevance and fell in love with this show. I knew it
would touch audience members as much as it touched me.”
Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83690815724
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New Releases
Take a look at these new shows. You'll want to click
on the title to see a longer description, testimonials, and to read
a FreeView. You’re really going to like these gems!
Save $5 on
e-scripts until June 23, 2020
A Life
Enriching Community
Philip Middleton Williams
10 minute play
2 men, 1 woman
Adam and Paul, partners in love and life, are now in their sixties
and have moved into a retirement community in Florida. Audiences
fall in love with these two’s wit, relationship, and humanity.
Love’s Language
Linda LaRocque
10 minute play
1 man, 1 woman
After reading a best-selling book on relationships, Jackie learns
her 'love language' is to give gifts. Before handing her present to
George, her soon-to-be fiancé, she should have proofread the
message.
The Thingamajig
Jo Hamlet
10 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Two sales clerks at a thrift store are puzzled by a box of donated
goods, unaware of their use, including the one they call the
"Thingamajig."
Not Kate or Leo
Barbara Trainin Blank
10 minute drama
1 man, 1 woman
Isidor and Ida Straus had everything -- a happy marriage, a loving
family, great wealth, and prestige. Even though they lost their
lives on the deck of The Titanic, their love survived.
Jugs
Shelli Pentimall Bookler
10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Feisty Lucille is applying for a job at Jugs Restaurant, ready to
compete with younger women. But Lucille isn’t your typical
applicant.
Dangerous Games
Pamela Loyd
15 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women, 5 either
A game-night party with good friends becomes more interesting when
a new game is proposed, leading one to ask: among friends, what is
more dangerous—the truth or a lie?
A Wicked Little Wager
Pamela Loyd
2 men, 2 women
45 minute mystery
This year's annual Coconut Cream Pie celebration comes with
mischievous gamesmanship, laughs, suspense, and murder. Be glad you
don't have friends like these!
Save $5 on
e-scripts until June 23, 2020
Click here to see all of the NEW plays!
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Meet Jan Downing
Jan came to Senior Theatre following an eclectic
showbiz career. She had been an actress/singer Off-Broadway and TV,
talent agent, ‘real people’ scout for TV commercials, youth theatre
director, founder of the Remarkable Girls theatre program, and
audition/performance coach.
Then, she pitched an idea to a local senior center, asking, “Are
you interested in a musical theatre class?” Two short months later,
she and a troupe of energetic seniors were performing at nearby
retirement communities from their base at the San Carlos Senior
Center in California. Then she directed another group at the San
Bruno Senior Center for two years. Jan learned how to direct both
newbies and stage veterans in performance-based classes.
Now, Jan is working one-on-one with seniors online, coaching acting
and singing. Contact Jan for vocal tips or to work on monologues,
develop cold reading skills, and more.
Click here to read more about how Jan can
help you
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How to help ArtAge
In these difficult times, we are so grateful for
your continued support of our work. You can help us when you:
- Buy and perform plays
- Sign up for "Who's Who in Senior Theatre"
- Order the book and plays below because the
playwrights are donating their sales to ArtAge:
We so appreciate you!
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Visit our
ever-changing website!
Download
our catalog:
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