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IDEA BANK
Here a some ideas about how to use Senior Theatre in a variety of different ways
Creating Shows Based on Memories
Out of the Past/Out of the Trunk” was recently performed by the BPACE Creative Drama Class. Directed by Buddy Powell, each student wrote an original story based on a variety of possible subjects like my first house, my favorite sibling, my first automobile, etc. Then they turned the stories into personal monologues spoken to someone who needed to hear this information. For example, "Honeymoon" was spoken to a lousy real life first husband. Quite amusing!
Each monologue was introduced with appropriate live organ music, for example, “Talent Show” was introduced with No Business Like Show Business and “Papi’s Remedy” was accompanied by Sunrise Sunset. While music played, actors pulled an appropriate prop out of a large trunk and then did their monologue. They used gobos behind each performer that were suggestive of the theme like in “Kansas,” there were cornfields. The whole visual and musical experience worked quite well. Buddy recommends this direction for new or inexperienced groups. He said their first show was a “terrific success!” Learn how to use this technique.
Creating Shows with Frail Elders
I work in a low care Hostel for the aged and we are putting on a concert in November for the residents' families. They are learning some seated dances. I thought some simple skits or plays might be fun, I'm not sure if it will be too challenging but it's worth a try. The residents are aged 80 to 90 years, and although some of them are very frail they love musical things and are doing extremely well with their seated dances. One item is “Singing in the Rain” with twirling umbrellas and foot tapping, heel toes etc.
Helen from Australia
Creating Outreach Programs That Last
Senior Moments, a Senior Theater group sponsored by the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth New Hampshire has sponsored an outreach program for seniors. Recognizing that many seniors cannot come to the theater, the group decided to bring theater to them. Meetings were held at a number of locations including senior centers, day out programs, assisted living and senior housing. Participants read short plays, essays and their own poetry.
In October of 2004 and again in May of 2005, the “Second Time Around Players,” representing seven different locations and 28 participants, performed before an audience of over 200 family members and friends. Actors were in wheelchairs, used canes or crutches. And many suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Rehearsals had been held weeks before the big day and everyone was well prepared. Ellie, who has Alzheimer’s could not remember what the group was doing. But, when she was seated in front of the audience and handed the script, she performed like a pro. When asked weeks later if she remembered the day, she answered rather indignantly, “Of course I do.”
Because of the company’s work, five locations have continued their own internal drama groups led by activity directors or volunteers.
Extended Run Players Create Production Based on WW II
Wartime experiences provide both bleak and colorful memories. As time passes, some of the memories may indeed fade, but others seem to be etched in the minds and hearts of the participants in the war. Because San Antonio has evolved into one of the favorite locations for retired military personnel, the city offers a rich resource for wartime memories.
During the past summer, the Extended Run Players, a theatrical company composed of older, experienced actors, gathered some of these wartime memories and transferred them into a theatrical production, “Remembering When. . .Stories and Songs of World War II”. The program combined both the stories gathered from the members as well as songs from the 1940’s sung by the Cadenza Singers, who also belong to the company.
The August show enjoyed a successful two week run at The Steven Stoli Playhouse, and as a result, the company proposes a second production. However, in this case, the focus would be on different stories from local well-known World War II veterans. Often, the citizens of San Antonio have no idea that the men and women whose names appear in the local newspaper participated in the War and returned with stories that should be shared.
The basic concept of the new production consists of collecting these human interest stories that can then be incorporated into a Readers’ Theatre production presented by the Extended Run Players during the regular UIW Theatre Department season. In this way, the Players can honor the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country and at the same time can educate our audiences, particularly the young students, about the lessons of life endured during a war.
Almost daily, death notices in The Express-News includes articles about the death of a WW II veteran or of someone admired for civilian services during the War. Before we lose the benefit of hearing the moving, often humorous, stories from those who participated in WW II, the Extended Run Players propose to gather some of the stories and to present another “Memories of World War II” production. To do so, we will contact and interview various local retired military personnel who served in World War II.
Send in your ideas--we’ll add them to the list!
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