'Senior theatre' is a form of drama designed specifically for older adults, where seniors are actively involved.
Contents
- Different types of Senior Theatre
- Techniques of Senior Theatre
- Benefits
- Improvisation as a means to create intergenerational communication
- References
In 1999, there were 79 companies in the US. As of 2016, there are over 800 groups with many around the world.
Many theatre performers want to be on stage when they are older. A good number have never acted before, others have performed when they were young and want to do it again. Some have acted all their lives and they know the joy of performing. Seniors have time to explore the theatre.
Different types of Senior Theatre
There are many different types of Senior Theatre including acting classes, live theatre viewing, play reading, improvisation, storytelling or theatre productions that are readers theatre, short plays, variety shows, plays from life stories of participants, musical theatre, and topics facing seniors, among others.
Offstage, seniors also work as solo performers, playwrights, or they act in films and commercials. Many help backstage, as ushers, or in the box office. They also take classes in all elements of theatre in colleges, universities, and in the community.
Techniques of Senior Theatre
Senior Theatre uses techniques that accommodate the abilities of older adults. The most popular techniques in the field are readers theatre and script-in-hand performances. They allow actors to have easy access to their lines and blocking without having to be concerned about the fear of forgetting. Also, Senior Theatre can be intergenerational by including actors of all ages on stage or in the audience.
Benefits
Performers range from professional to amateur in both rural and urban settings. Ages usually span between 50 and 90 years but most are in their late 60's and 70's. There are many benefits derived from Senior Theatre including physical, mental, psychological, social, and cultural growth. It builds vital social connections for often isolated seniors.
Improvisation as a means to create intergenerational communication
In theater, it is often difficult for people over the age of 50 to get an opportunity to perform. In Improv where casts rely heavily on comfortable communication, it can be difficult for older people to be accepted. One way of overcoming this problem is for older improvisers to create "over 50" troupes who create their own opportunities to perform. It is especially helpful for cross generational culture if these troupes also seek out active involvement with improvisers of younger generations. Two examples of such troupes are Elderberry Jam Improv and New Tricks.
Elderberry Jam Improv billed as "World's Finest Vintage Improv is based in Cambridge Massachusetts. The ensemble includes Ann "Crim" Crimmins, Dave Stern, Hilary Fabre, Eric V. Fields, David Silberman, Miki Manting and Joan Larason.NEW TRICKS,founded in 2003,has been described as "the fine wine of improv" and was the first over 50 improv troupe in New England. Troupe members like to boast about their over 462 years (at least) of experience. New Tricks was founded by the late Mike Martin & Jeanne Hillson. Longtime members include: Bari Olevsky,Don Buell,Amy Rubin, Joan Larason & Lanny Rubin.