That's Norma in the purple vest, next to the sign, along with the other members of the Acting Up company.

I was talking with Norma Mertz about how she discovered Senior Theatre. Our conversation centered on how we get our inspiration. It made me think of how I attempt to pay attention to the sparks of creativity. I find that when several factors seem to line up, the universe is telling me something, pointing me in a direction. The challenge is to be aware, every day, so I can sense artistic inspiration and to listen to what it tells me to do.

For Norma, she was sorting through her Aunt's remaining teaching supplies when she found an article. There, in stacks of papers she found, "Keeping up with Granny and the Old Guys." In the piece, the older lady goes throughout her neighborhood in search of  another older person to share brownies with her. No one is at home. Finally, she discovers that even Sister Margaret is not at home. She's "on tour" performing as Mercedes McCambridge, now a producer and director performing all over the state.

When Norma read the article, she said, "it was like a light bulb hit me in the head." She stayed up all night discovering Senior Theatre. The very next day she went to the Senior Center to tell the director that she wanted to start a drama group. Norma was stunned when the director answered, "I've been looking for someone to do this!"

Now called, Acting Up, Norma's group has one show under its belt, some rave reviews and more theatrics on the way.

The point is to pay attention. Always be on the look out for what will inspire your next artistic endeavor. Opportunities will present themselves but you have to watch and be aware so you can take advantage of them. 

Robert Berry and Cheryl Fesmire in "Just a Song at Twilight," directed by Bernard Wurger, produced by the Epilogue Players.

Just a Song at Twilight is a touching, sweet comedy between one man and one woman. Marcia Savin, now a senior citizen, wrote Just a Song at Twilight in her thirties, thirty years ago. Marcia's life has copied art. Never would she have imagined that someday she would re-connect with someone special from forty years ago.

Marcia explains her inspiration as, "After a hectic day of teaching, I used to unwind at a Dairy Queen where seniors hung out. I'd listen to them flirt and banter. What struck me was how people's feelings never change. No matter how old we are, we still want friendship, admiration, love, satisfaction."

Just a Song at Twilight continues to be a show that Senior Theatres turn to time and again. Now released as an e-script, we're highlighting this play so you will remember to have it in your company's repertoire.

ArtAge Publications, is a central clearing house for Senior Theatre plays. You know we have many published scripts but perhaps you don't know that we also have many unpublished plays. We're making them available to you now through our "Try it Out" program.

Here's how the program works: Contact us to let us know what kind of script you are looking for--number of characters, male/female ratio and other information about your work. Then we search our unpublished scripts. You pay a reading fee and must submit an evaluation form. If you like the play, we contact the playwright and you're up and running.

Use "Try It Out" to find the play that's just right for you!

March 14-19--American Society on Aging/National Council on Aging Joint Conference will be held in Anaheim, CA. Join us and 4000 other people interested in mature adults. Come and visit our booth, #402, in the Exhibit Hall! 

June 12-14, 23rd Annual Summer Series on Aging at the Univeristy of Kentucky. Attend the Senior Theatre workshop presented by ArtAge President, Bonnie Vorenberg. Then drop by our exhibit.

August 3-6, Association for Theatre in Higher Education features numerous Senior Theatre sessions at the annual meeting in Chicago. Check the website for complete details.

In a recent search for Senior Theatre scripts, we received over 100 plays but only a few were useful. We discovered that many writers don't fully understand what makes Senior Theatre a unique art form with special requirements...you can't just set a play in a retirement center!

This TipSheet discusses the basics of Senior Theatre and how it impacts playwrights. It also helps writers craft dialogue, build characters, and develop plots in scripts that are challenging yet fun for seasoned performers. This is an essential tool for playwrights wanting to create works for this growing form of the performing arts. Only $10.00 plus shipping.

"Thank you so much for this tip sheet. I found it both informative and enlightening.  It's a marvelous guide for those of us who write for senior theatre." Senior Theatre Playwright