Ludmilla Bollow took this photo of me holding two of her scripts, "In the Restroom at Rosenbloom's" and "Bitsy and Her Friends," two of our most popular plays.

Last night, the Senior Theatre Festival ended and I just couldn't get to sleep. All the songs, dances and acting were like a movie passing in front of my half-closed eyes. I even noticed the blankets moving to a beat and realized that my feet were still tapping out the bouncy Senior Theatre USA theme song. I flashed on the sounds of older performers telling their poignant stories on stage, reflected on their punchy joke-telling, and saw them scurrying down hallways to get to workshops on time. The spirit of performance was palatable...and contagious. From Senior Theatre novices to experienced professionals, like me, we were brimming with new ideas.

I could have been frustrated at not being able to fall asleep, but instead a warm feeling of contentment and satisfaction spread over me. The 250+ Senior Theatre lovers reminded me of why I love my work, why the ArtAge goal is to inspire more people to do Senior Theatre. It's simply the joy of performing, of theatre and how it speaks loudly at any age but when you're older the message is sweeter and better. The Festival encouraged me to keep inventing and I trust it did the same for the other attendees. Perhaps that's why we were humming the theme song on our bus to the airport. We flew off happy, inspired to keep doing our unique work.

Bonnie L. Vorenberg, ArtAge President

The Senior Theatre Research & Performance Focus Group at ATHE is looking for presenters and performers for the 2007 conference in New Orleans from July 26-29. You don't need to be affiliated with a college or university to participate. Share the wonderful work you are doing with one of the fastest growing theatre populations: Those over 55! Or...bring your cast to New Orleans and "jazz it up."

The Focus Group wants to feature presentations and performances on any of the below topics:

1. Life Review in New Orleans and Louisiana
2. Performances by Senior Theatre companies
3. New Techniques in Senior Theatre
4. Problems in Senior Theatre
5. Senior Theatre in College and University settings
6. What Playwrights and others need to know about Senior Theatre?

The due date is October 24, 2006 so send in your ideas now!

The transition was swift and smooth in St. Louis at the Senior Theatre Festival. The organization known since 2002 as STLA, the Senior Theatre League of America, mutually terminated its partnership with the umbrella organization EdTA, the Educational Theatre Association of America, and returned to its roots on October 7.

The organization reclaimed its original name established in the early '90s - SENIOR THEATRE USA. The Board is currently pursuing a new fiscal agent and is already making plans for a bright future.

Senior Theatre USA will focus only on providing the best possible festivals, without the dues and complications of an attached membership organization. Contact us if you need information about Senior Theatre USA.

Senior Theatre Company of the Month:

Los Angeles' based "Two Grandmas from Brooklyn" Stunning Audiences

You won't soon forget these two talented grandmas!

Celebrated singing actresses, Barbara Haber and Irene Chapman, present music, dance and patter in a highly entertaining production. From show tunes to standards and arias to tin-pan alley, their work is rich with nostalgia and humor. To add to the variety, Barbara and Irene spice up the show with duets and solos. Think of the Andrew Sisters, add some personal history, a pinch of ethnic songs, a pot full of tasty music, and you've cooked up a couple of modern grandmas with a bit of old Brooklyn, now in Los Angeles.

Barbara and Irene, veterans of musical theatre stages throughout the country, delight audiences of all ages with their repertoire of English, French, Italian, Hebrew and Yiddish songs. The pair is not above turning a laugh on themselves.

Critics rave: "What this show does offer is a couple of musical comedy veterans who know how to put over a song and how to command a stage. Drama Logue

"Spectacular singing voices, tremendous chemistry and love for their craft. They sizzle!" NOHO LA

"The audience had a love affair with the 'Two Grandmas'. Their energy level proved to be contagious." Rochester, New York

Add "Aging Artfully" to your bedside table for inspiration

When we saw the lovely and inspirational book that Amy Gorman created, we knew that you'd like it also. In Aging Artfully, Amy profiles 12 visual and performing artists from age 85-105. She assembled a rich collection of photos and reminiscences that demonstrate the value of creativity during any stage of life. She also included a CD titled Seven Songs of Women, a musical treat by Frances Kandl based on the lives of the women in the book. The Aging Artfully package is a book you can read over and over again; a CD that will touch you. It's only $20.

"Gorman shows the satisfaction and productivity that positive attitudes bring to lives long-lived." Ken Dychtwald PhD.

Our 2007 catalog is now available and it includes the ArtAge Best Seller List. You can learn more about these favorites by turning to the catalog page number that's listed. You can also click here for direct links to these hot properties:

1. Age on Stage: Lifewriting Your Monologue....Page 5
2. Skits for Seniors: Humorous Plays....Page 7 
3. At Half Time...Page 10
4. Gin and Tonic...Page 10
5. New Plays for Mature Actors....Page 6
6. The Improv Game...Page 15
7. Skits for Seniors: Holiday Plays...Page 7
8. Return Engagement: Ten Short Upbeat Plays for Readers Theatre, Volume 2...Page 5
9. 23 New, Humorous Short Play Scripts for Performing Grandparents...Page 6
10. Senior Theatre Connections...Page 5