Resources
Raising the Curtain on Senior Theatre
Articles and Blog Posts
In this Next Avenue article, Debbie Miller provides a lively introduction to the phenomenon of “senior theatre” in the U.S. She focuses on two of the best known senior theatres: Stagebridge in San Francisco, and …
Reminiscence Theatre: Making Theatre from Memories
Books and Chapters
Pam Schweitzer’s Reminiscence Theatre: Making Theatre from Memories is a guide to working with older adults to translate personal memories into interactive theatre. It draws on several decades of work in performance art, intergenerational projects, and …
“We Don’t Want to be Seen as Victims”: The Older People Using Theatre to Tell Their Covid Stories
Articles and Blog Posts
This article focuses on “Secret Country,” a digital theatre piece created by the Re-Live Company of Elders based in Cardiff, Wales. Drawing on the pandemic experience of the company’s nine members , ages 72-93, “Secret …
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) Teal Room Community Classes
Academic Courses
From the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) Website: AFA’s Teal Room Community Classes provides a variety of in-person therapeutic programs ranging from the creative arts therapies, Broadway singer performances, chair yoga, gardening classes, and more! …
Freie Werkstatt Theater: Althentheatre Older Adult Theatre Ensemble (Germany)
Websites
Altentheater in Cologne, Germany, started in 1979 as one of the earliest theater groups for older people in Europe. It is part of the Freie Werkstatt Theater, a professional company that performs literary works and …
Re-Live: The Company of Elders Acting Ensemble (U.K.)
Websites
The Company of Elders (Cardiff, Wales) is an acting ensemble developed by Re-Live, a Welsh Arts in Health non-profit in Cardiff, Wales (U.K.). It is made up of older adults, ages 71-95, who develop and …
The Elders Company of the Royal Exchange Theatre (U.K.)
Websites
The Elders Company of the Royal Exchange Theatre (Manchester, UK), started in 2014 to engage “people aged 60+ who want to feel connected to new people and ideas, be creative and challenge the stereotypes of …
GeriActors & Friends Intergenerational Theater Company (Canada)
Websites
GeriActors & Friends (Edmonton, Canada) is an intergenerational theater company organized by a group of older people seeking ways to become involved with theater. Through instructional lessons led by a professor of Theater Arts at …
Theater 55 Performs, “HAIR: By Those Who Lived It!”
Images
Theater 55 was founded in Minneapolis, MN in 2018 by Richard Hitchler, an actor and director who realized that, “there really weren’t opportunities available for people over 65 interested in theater.” The Company’s first production …
Leeds Playhouse Supports Theater Initiatives by and for Older Adults in the U.K.
Programs and Initiatives
The U.K.-based theatre organization, Leeds Playhouse, developed and supports two theater initiatives by and for older adults; one a peer-led group and the other a professionally-led company. The Feeling Good Theater Company creates and tours …