Another conference attendee explores our Senior Theatre Resource Center

I'm flying back from the largest aging conference in the U.S. that brought over 4000 attendees to the annual ASA/NCOA meeting. Since I've attended for many years, I can use my conversations as a barometer to show the growing acceptance of Senior Theatre.

Several years ago, my elevator speech--the 13 second description of who we are--concluded with "Have you ever thought of doing Senior Theatre." Then a couple of years later, I could end it by saying, "Do you know about Senior Theatre?" But I was pleasantly surprised this year by the many attendees who barely let me conclude my elevator speech before they blurted out, "Oh, I have a Senior Theatre in my ..."

Indeed, the field is bursting out all over. The main indicator is our database, the largest in the field, which now lists over 720 Senior Theatre companies in the U.S. alone. At the convention, I re-connected with David Turner, the Program Manager for Salt Lake County Aging Services. They have 17 senior centers with seven that have senior theatre groups. David says that "Senior Theatre attracts people who would not normally come to a senior center. It also builds cohesion within the center as excitement builds for performances." He wants to expand their theatre offerings because it, "pushes the senior's mind."

In addition to aging services, senior theatres are up and going anywhere seniors gather. A strong growth is in the learning-in-retirement system that has sprouted numerous drama classes and performances. As I heard many times during the conference, "If you're in arts and aging, hold onto your seat belts!"

So I return home confident that our continual promotion of the Senior Theatre movement is helping it grow. We're pleased to see progress towards our mission, "to inspire more work in Senior Theatre." 

Playwrights spruce up their scripts for the Heckart Competition

The 2007 Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Competition is back for a third time. The extremely successful contest is looking for full length, one act (45 minutes or less in playing time), and ten-minute plays.
 
They only want to read plays which that have not received major professional productions. The scripts should feature a majority of senior characters and/or deal with issues pertaining to seniors, people over 55. No musicals or adaptations please. The competition is sponsored by the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute at The Ohio State University.
 
Here are the details to enter: Please send hard copies only as no electronic submissions will be accepted. Place the author's name only on the title page, not in the text of play. Entries should include a brief biographical statement about the author. Include a SASE if you'd like the script returned. There is no submission fee.

The postmark deadline is March 31, 2007.

Send submissions to:
 
Alan Woods
2007 Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Competition
Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute
The Ohio State University
1430 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43210-1230
 
They hope to announce finalists and semi-finalists by the middle of May and winners by the middle of June. Winning playwrights will receive $100 for full length, $75 for one-act, $50 for ten minute scripts. The winning plays and first-runners-up will receive staged readings at OSU during the 2007-2008 academic year.

For more information, call 614/292-6614 (voice), 614/688-8417 (FAX), or email woods.1@osu.edu.

• Have worked in Senior Theatre companies or with performing groups that are at least five years old
• Have directed at least 10 single or multiple performances during the past five years
• Represent various United States geographical regions in both urban and rural communities
• Are paid for their work as directors.

Senior Theatres will be featured at the Arts and Aging Forum

On Saturday, April 28, 2007 arts and aging lovers from around the Pacific Northwest will gather on the Marylhurst University campus to celebrate creativity! The day-long event will feature speakers, workshops, and performances. The event will also introduce the Pacific Northwest Arts and Aging Network. Attendees will meet other arts and aging practitioners, get new ideas, and learn tips to help them be successful.

The Forum will be from 8:30 AM to 4PM. It is FREE with FREE food. For more information, contact us at bonniev@seniortheatre.com.

We are looking for what you'd consider the 'best' senior theatre plays. Tell us the ones that have been especially successful for you. Let us know why they've worked.

Tell us about your favorite plays and receive a $5 coupon off of your next purchase!