The Amazing Race airs on CBS

I'm hooked on The Amazing Race, the reality show that's taken several teams skirting around the world. What is truly amazing is that two of the three final teams included a senior. One was paired with his daughter; the other with his grandson. They surpassed the lovable goths, a pair of sisters, and one couple who couldn't get along if they tried.

The seniors in the show endured hours of long travel and surmounted all kinds of challenges like walking on stones and going underwater as they jockeyed for position in the front of the race. Their stamina was encouraging. The bond between partners grew as each team overcame adversity. 

The final show was on Sunday evening. I was watching. But, who won is irrelevant. The real winners were the two intergenerational teams who showed the strength that develops when two generations work together to reach a common goal.

ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center, President

The Senior Theatre USA Festival brochure

The site has three different performance venues so no matter how large or small your show, there is a place for you to present your work. If you'd prefer to speak about your company or demonstrate a useful technique that will benefit others, then you should present a workshop.

For performances, submit a description of the show you'd like to present; for workshops, send in a summary and describe the topic you'd like to address. The deadline is February 1, 2008 so act quickly!

For more information or to submit materials, contact Dolores Kane at dkane1@swbell.net or call 314-352-7980.

Women are Funny is a popular book of plays

Whenever a New Year rolls around, we always think about new beginnings. For us at ArtAge, we've been anticipating January for many months. It began this summer when we started to read and evaluate the many plays that were submitted. We considered all the many factors that makes a good script for Senior Theatre.

The new plays are mainly comedies with a majority of older women's roles. Most are short, a few are longer pieces. Some of  the works were written by profilic playwrights with many works under their belts; others were crafted by skilled novices. The plots are fun and easy to stage. They'll be a treat for your audiences. Our main criteria was, "Will this work for Senior Theatre?" The new plays include:

• All is Fair in Show Business 
• At the Border
• Boy Toy
• Carol Burnett Sketches--"The Old Folks Sketches"
• Coconut Creme Pie
• Combover
• The Committee
• Gifts from the Heart
  
• The Gold Standard
• How to Marry the Minister
• Ladies at Lunch
• Merry Christmas Caper
• Mimi and Me
• Mrs. Palsgraf's Dream Team
• Sand Dancing
• Shoes
• Truth in Advertising
• Women are Funny
  

We hope you will enjoy the many new plays and perform them with zest and joy in 2008!

The Travelers' distinctive logo

The Travelers--A Roving Theatre, based in Bluffton South Carolina, makes touring look easy. Using a repertoire of short and long works, they focus on radio theatre and mysteries. The director, Prosper Egan, loves the format because "It's easy to develop the pieces, they transport well, and the audiences love them!" Last fall, they presented, War of the Worlds and this spring they're developing another series of radio plays.