May 2021

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Bonnie's Column:
Senior Theatre - A Community of Strength
 

May is Older Americans Month! The theme is "Communities of Strength" — a fitting description for all of us who have shown such resilience and strength during the past year. I am so proud of the directors and actors who have adjusted and adapted to new performance styles.

Here are some great ideas that are currently being used on stage:

• Perform socially distanced in the lobby. Do you have access to a spacious lobby? Several Senior Theatre have performed in the lobbies of their retirement community. The larger space accommodates more attendees than their usual performance room.
• Create videos of plays, present them in the theatre. Are you wanting to bring your audience back to your theatre? Some companies film performances, then schedule several showings to a socially distanced audience. This helps you maintain a connection to audience members who in turn are comfortable being in the theatre space.
• Summer School. Companies who normally perform in the summer are using the time to teach acting classes. It's a great way to keep your actors' skills fresh, and to attract and train new members so that when fall comes, you'll be ready to be back on stage.
• Online theatre is still strong with many Senior Theatres using the format both for playreading and for performances.  

Celebrate older performers...and keep up the great work!

Yours in theatre,

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
President, ArtAge Publications
 

Senior Theatre Survey Results!

In our April newsletter, we asked readers to tell us when they are going to resume performances, how they are performing, and how we can help them. Here's what we found out!

We asked: When do you plan to perform next? Approximately 1/4 were going to perform first in the spring, followed by 1/4 in the summer, and approximately 1/4 in the fall. The remaining 1/4 plan on performing later in 2021 or in early 2022.

We asked: What kind of shows do you anticipate will be most popular with your next audience? It was possible to check more than one topic. Comedies are a clear winner!



Overall, activities and in-person meetings are returning.

1. Social Gatherings. 90% plan on social events with their theatre group. About 1/2 of these meetings are in person and the other 1/2 are socially distant or online. This is great news because staying connected is important.
2. Classes. 50% are going to hold classes.
3. In Person Rehearsals and Performances. More than 75% plan on holding rehearsals and performances between now and the fall, and the majority of these will be done in person.

Save $5 on Select Plays!

In honor of Older Americans Month, the e-scripts for the following plays are on sale. We've chosen them because they celebrate people who live their lives fully!

Housekeeper Wanted
15 minute comedy, 1 man, 3 women
Two sisters hire matronly Bea to be their father's housekeeper. His plans are much more fun.

Jugs
10 minute comedy, 1 man, 1 woman
Feisty, strong, and sassy Lucille competes for a job as waitress.

Still Twenty-Nine
10 minute comedy, 1 man, 1 woman
A fun-loving woman jostles her stodgy husband out of his routine life with a motorcycle!

The Dandelion Ladies’ Decisive Tea
20 minutes, 4 women
More than tea and scones, this action-filled tea is a celebration of life.

It’s Not About Pot Roast
10 minute comedy, 2 women
A heartwarming comedy in which two friends resolve problems and keep their worlds intact.

Made for Each Other
30 minute comedy, 1 man, 3 women, 2 either
Pauline fires every one of the hired companions until this one shows up. 

On Purpose
10 minute, 3 either
The old concession stand is being torn down so what will the customers do?

Everything Blows Away
10 minute drama, 1 man, 1 woman
A lovely written show about memories, photographs, and long-held resentments.

Mothers’ Day
10 minute comedy, 5 women
Molly and her friends concoct a madcap scheme to get her daughter to visit.

The Visitor
10 minute comedy, 2 men, 2 women
Though Harry Goldstein has only two things in mind, his will and his bad habit, he learns new life lessons in a touching play!

Gin & Tonic
10 minute comedy, 1 man, 1 woman
This laugh-out-loud comedy offers a fresh look at the problems of senior dating.

Old Men
10 minute comedy, 2 men, 1 woman
Two men realize that friendship, even with a muskrat, is more important than making a stew of things.

Hurry — the sale ends May 10!
 

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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