The snow on the street near the ArtAge office

What a December it has been! The weather started changing with a dose of ice and freezing rain around December 13. One storm after another landed in our lap. At the end, 19 inches of snow fell on Portland, Oregon--the largest amount in recorded history. The city shut down! Only now, are we finally back to a bit of reality.

We spent many days unable to drive anywhere. It became an "adventure," as I call it. The many days of being at home, snowbound, reminded me of the important things in life: good food, warm shelter, electricity...and a strong shovel!

I hope that your next year will be filled with many joys--the simple ones and the more complex ones. And remember to always have your emergency kit available.

Happy New Year from all of us at ArtAge!

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center, President 

Now is the time to begin planning for 2009. Here are some things to consider:

• Lobby your congressman for more funding for the arts
• Plan your grant submissions
• If you need more help with grants there is a new study about the benefits of Senior Theatre. It was done by Helga and Tony Noice from Elmhurst College. Contact us to get a copy of the study
• Schedule your productions, send us the dates so we can get the info out to a broader audience with our new marketing project
• Keep the energy going!
  

Tom Northam, author of A Bag Full of Miracles musical, at the ArtAge exhibit during the Senior Theatre USA Festival

As 2008 nears to a close, it's time to reflect on some of our accomplishments:

We expanded the number of resources in our new catalog so you can find materials quicky and easily. 

We were at many state, regional, and national events including the National Council on Aging/American Society on Aging Annual Conference. We also organized many wonderful sessions and performances for the ATHE Senior Theatre Focus Group.

We presented workshops, exhibited, and helped organize the Senior Theatre USA Festival in Baltimore last June.

With my 30 years of experience, it's a treat to see that the field now includes over 750 companies in the US plus many others around the world, according to the ArtAge database.

Our customer base grows and grows. This is especially exciting because we are able to help so many people create theatre with seniors in all ability levels, doing all types of shows.

Over 6000 visitors stop by our website each month! The number increases every time we check. Members of the Senior Theatre Resource Center have found playwrights, resources, and audience members from their page on "Who's Who." 

And this monthly e-newsletter now has over 2500 readers.

Our successes would not happen without the many people who support us along the way--customers, colleagues, friends. Thank you for another wonderful year. It's a pleasure to help you discover and expand your role in Senior Theatre!

Our favorite makeup kits!

A great makeup kit! We searched all the makeup manufactures to find the best kits. The water-based or cream-based kits are chock full of high quality makeup products with:

• bases
• highlights
• pencils
• brushes
• rouges
• and a comprehensive book.

We love these kits and so do our customers! Read about the two kinds of kits and all the many items they contain. On sale for $49.95.

Young at Heart DVD is a documentary film based on a senior chorus which performs rock music. It was a hit at Sundance, The Today Show, ABC News, Newsweek, USA Today, among others. The Daily News said, "The movie is...sweet, funny and heartbreaking." The Oregonian ranked it as one of the 10 best movies of the year. $27.95

The Improv Game makes improvisation simple, quick and fun. The deck of who, what, when, where and why cards stimulate creativity, imagination, and spontaneity. There are unlimited combinations for drama classes, at parties, or wherever you want to have some fun! Successful with all ages and abilities. $15.00

New Plays for Mature Actors is our best selling play collection. It includes plays that numerous companies have staged successfully for years. $24.95

Never Act Your Age is an inspiring book about how to live well at any age using method acting as a way to health What a unique idea. $14.95

Ann Smith's dance/movement videos, CDs and DVD's encourage viewers to stretch and move in an artistic way. They are useful for people of all ages but especially for mature adults and/or those with the disabilities that come from long lives. Always set to wonderful music, they are mesmerizing. Prices start at only $14.95

Notes on Directing is an award-winning handsome book that works for both beginning or advanced directors. You will find this book helpful and inspiring. It was the Theatre Book of the Year! $19.95

Martha Leuhrmann performs in Leave of Absence

Poor Players of the Bay Area creates new plays and takes new approaches with old plays to focus on the lives and issues of older adults. The shows always aim to portray the richness of language.

Performances are also toured to senior centers, retirement homes, and other sites. In addition, they perform Shakespeare's Seventh Age, a 1-hour revue with reflections of youth and old age in the Bard's words, at middle schools and high schools.  

Their upcoming production is Leave of Absence which shows a family which has been impacted by both a reversal of their finances and Alzheimer's Disease. Leave of Absence will be performed from January 28 to February 1, 2009.

Contact us if you'd like to read any of their fine scripts.