Baby and Mimi on the set of her recent VH1 Show

Mimi Scott is known in New York City as an actress, press agent and Artistic Director for Manhattan Playwrights. But this fall, she appeared in the VHI Show, So Jewtastic with rapper, Baby. They both share a love of jewelry. For Mimi, she said, "Baby was way, way more bling that I was!" 

The show aired in December and January but was cast in August when VH1 and ArtAge worked together to circulate a casting call. It took only a matter of days for VH1 to decide on Mimi. She was a natural since she has collected many cherished pieces. So, sharing it with the world was "great fun--I felt like a little girl, especially when my grandchildren watched me on VH1, their favorite channel!"

You too can be like Mimi and appear in films, ads and commercials. It's a great way to use your theatrical skills. It's fun and brings in some extra money! Click here to read more about Mimi.

Learn how to prepare for auditions and to create your marketing materials from a gem of a book, Acting in Prime Time, written just for mature actors.

Danny and Neil Simon

Danny Simon, Neil's brother, lived in Portland Oregon where Bonnie Vorenberg, President of ArtAge Publications wrote about his career. Danny left this world last summer but we wanted you to remember him.

Marvin Hamlisch addresses the Arts and Aging celebration at the White House Conference on Aging

The White House Conference on Aging was held in December. The event brought together 2000+ delegates from around the country in what was intended to be an "Healthy Aging" event. The results, which were less than healthy, are included in a nationally circulated article written by ArtAge President, Bonnie Vorenberg.

The Conference also included an Arts and Aging Celebration organized by the National Center for Creative Aging. The event featured well-known musician, Marvin Hamlisch. The conference concluded with a stirring performance by the Levine School of Music Senior Chorale.

The Encore Theatre kicks off their program with a staged reading of The Book of Love

'Tis the season for love and we have several scripts that will make your heart swell. Try:

Old Flames brings two lovers together after many years of separation. Written by the delightful playwright, DK Oklahoma, it features 1 man and 1 woman. It's included in New Plays for Mature Actors.

The Book of Love was developed with a group of older adults from UNLV on the theme of "Love and what it means to me." A new Senior Theatre company, the Grosse Pointe Theatre Encore Players, used the script to kick off their program. In reward, they received a standing ovation! Barb Elliott said "We launched our group last night with 15 members doing "The Book of Love" to great acclaim! We're having a ball and we attracted 30 people!" You can find the script in Creating Oral History Revues by Ann McDonough, an ArtAge featured book.

Gin and Tonic, The Garden of Beetles, and Roses to Plan are three short scripts based on several stages of love. They show love betwen mature people in a dating relationship, in a weathered-but-strong relationship and in a love-of-many-years relationship. Written by professional playwrights, each script uses one man and one woman, two are 10 minutes long the other is 18 minutes. Strong, well written and easy to perform, they work well as a set of three or perform them by themselves. Available as e-scripts or in hard copy.

Skits for Seniors: Holiday Plays includes short and easy scripts for many holidays during the year.

Baby Sitters: A Senior Romance features one man and one woman and a 'bundle of joy' in a delightful story of love. Two seniors are babysitting when the baby wakes up crying. Who is better suited to care for the baby? There's a chance for the seniors to meet again with a happy ending in their future. It's included in One Act Plays for All Ages.

"I have seen a lot of theatre over the years, but nothing as impressive and exciting as this. Intimacy, Authenticity, Beautiful Balance of Humor and Wisdom. Simplicity."  Audience member

Joy Reilly's new book, Age on Stage: Lifewriting Your Monologue has sold out and has now entered its second printing! The text will be used in Joy's upcoming class "The Story of Your Life" for the LifeLong Learning & Leisure Division in the City of Upper Arlington's Parks & Recreation Department.

The book shows you how to create powerful theatre from life experiences. Joy teaches you ways to use your past, current and future, write it into poetry, prose and stories, then perform it on stage, reading from the script. The result is dynamic theatre that's easy to perform. She's even included a complete script written by her company, Howling at the Moon. From funny to deeply personal, use the show as an example or as the script for your next show.

The process will addict you. The monologues will inspire you.

Learn theatre basics from our simple and informative TipSheets. Discover:

• How to Start a Senior Theatre

When you begin a Senior Theatre, you might feel like you're out on a limb, working to create a magical company with no roadmap. Don't fret. Use this step-by-step guide to help you get started.

• How to Name a Senior Theatre

The name you choose for your Senior Theatre company is very important. This handy information was developed using an analysis of the 630+ companies in the ArtAge Publications database, the largest in the field. Explore the many names being used for Senior Theatres, then evaluate which ones work for you. Read about over-used names, favorites and advice about how the name you choose can affect your future growth and fundraising opportunities.

• Bibliography for Senior Theatre

As Senior Theatre expands, the number of books, articles and materials also expands. Use this TipSheet for a thorough listing of resources in the field. It makes a researcher's work quick and easy!

• Fundraising for Senior Theatre

Make your Senior Theatre financially stable using this TipSheet to entice funders to recognize, value and contribute to your Senior Theatre company. Find detailed information about the Senior Theatre movement, studies which document the value of participation in Senior Theatre, and ways to develop a relationship with funders. It can be useful in grantwriting, corporate proposals and other fundraising sources. Most of all, it's an encouraging guide to help you keep going as you search for financial stability.

• Connecting Baby Boomers to Your Community Theatre

Learn how to attract some of the 77 million Baby Boomers to your theatre, give them a voice on your stage and be richly rewarded. Learn how to meet their needs for health, fulfillment, stimulation and flexibility. Discover directing and programming hints. Grow your company with this fresh new group of performers. 

• What Playwrights need to Know about Senior Theatre

As the result of a national search for Senior Theatre scripts, we concluded that many writers don't fully understand what makes Senior Theatre a unique art form with special requirements. This TipSheet teaches how to craft dialogue, build characters, and develop plots in scripts that are challenging yet fun for seasoned performers. It's an essential tool for playwrights wanting to create works for this burgeoning form of the performing arts.

• Course Plan for Senior Theatre Classes

Whether you teach Senior Theatre in the community or are guiding the next generation of college students studying how to do Senior Theatre, this TipSheet is for you. Practitioners who used the plans said they were, "Very helpful and they saved me a lot of time and effort."