The present should go on!
That’s the driving drive behind Seniors in Play, a free digital theater program for older adults, based in 2017 by award-winning actor Tony Plana (at left.) In 2020, it teamed with Senior Planet to create a web based neighborhood that enables individuals to step onto the digital stage and categorical themselves in new methods.
At the moment San Antonio…tomorrow the World
“We have been about to launch in-person courses in six totally different senior facilities in San Antonio,” remembers Plana.
“All these facilities have been instantly shut down due to the pandemic. Seniors insisted that we discover a strategy to keep the courses on-line. We discovered Senior Planet they usually have been capable of facilitate very high-level technical assist on this new medium.
“This shifted our serious about the methods by which we have been capable of act collectively, and to create an equal taking part in area for all seniors to have the ability to take part, irrespective of in the event that they have been confined at residence or unable to make the journey bodily due to a incapacity,” says Plana.
Utilizing performing arts as a mode for inner exploration and storytelling, three individuals emerged from their experiences with this system to succeed in new heights.
Catherine Lee (proper, in mid-performance) had been concerned in senior appearing for a few years earlier than taking courses with Invoice Gundry and Tony Plana of Seniors in Play. “They each inspired us to deliver authentic work to the group, which I’m desirous to do. I’ve honed my efficiency abilities for studying poetry with jazz musicians,” Lee says.
Exterior of Seniors in Play, Lee acquired funding from the Metropolis of San Antonio Division of Arts & Tradition in 2022 to write down a play referred to as Mentor Wonders and produce a video and script. Lee invited her program-mates to carry out in it. “A closing video is anticipated for November 2022 (or no later than March 2023).”
Lee invitations the remainder of the Senior Planet neighborhood to view a digital screening and contribute suggestions to the play on-line.
Hope Garza (stage title “Mo”) at all times had a want to behave and stumbled upon an area to flourish.
“I first discovered about Seniors in Play after I occurred to go by the Alicia Treviño Wellmed Senior Middle in San Antonio. I simply occurred to go by there for some purpose. I noticed a woman with paper in her hand and she or he gave the impression to be studying. I requested her what she was doing and she or he advised me that she was rehearsing to learn the script to check out for a theater group. I made a decision to remain and do a studying,” reveals Garza.
“Applications like Seniors in Play are terrific for seniors as a result of it offers an avenue for these of us who’ve at all times had a want to behave. As a retired instructor, I honed my appearing abilities within the classroom to a level. I like turning into somebody I’m not. I like the make-believe and constructing the character. It additionally retains my thoughts lively and alert and brings out my creativity. The chance to get out and meet and work with new and different folks is vital. I imagine in getting older gracefully, and having the ability to put myself “on the market” is a problem and an superior feeling,” shares Garza.
“Seniors in Play breathes new life into folks”
Seniors in Play opens doorways
One other participant, Patrick Whitty, started a journey with Seniors in Play as a technical advisor, primarily managing the tech platform Zoom for the group. “I used to be referred to as in to learn for somebody who was absent that day and obtained hooked. The subsequent factor I knew I used to be requested to do a job in a brief play.”
It’s the breakthroughs and watching folks notice they’ve executed one thing they didn’t assume they may do, that brings Whitty probably the most pleasure.
“Seniors in Play breathes new life into folks. As we age, it’s simple to withdraw from the world and different folks. Some folks do it voluntarily. Others have it imposed on them. Seniors in Play brings folks collectively to have enjoyable and uncover their creativity. It additionally has psychological advantages. I see folks overcoming their concern by stepping out of their consolation zone and taking up a brand new problem. Seniors in Play makes this simple as a result of no person fails. The director is aware of that we’re not professionals, so they’re very mild and at all times level out strengths. Folks can develop rapidly in that type of atmosphere. On the age of 80, I’m starting to find who I’m by pretending to be another person. Isn’t that fascinating.”
What’s Subsequent for Seniors in Play?
Tony Plana intends to increase Seniors in Play past its on-line format. This consists of providing newbie courses to Senior Planet and AARP members all around the nation, ramping up in-person courses at senior facilities all through San Antonio (and southern Texas), increasing accessibility nearly, and providing bilingual courses.
“As seniors, we must be specializing in issues that deliver us pleasure, but in addition issues that maintain us performing at a high-level….appearing…is such a joyful exercise..”
“I’ve been loving what I do for 40 years,’ says Plana. “As seniors, we must be specializing in issues that deliver us pleasure, but in addition issues that maintain us performing at a high-level. Performing, doing theater, is such a joyful exercise that it might deal with totally different challenges that older adults face together with, loneliness, despair, and so on. Seniors in Play cultivates abilities for analyzing one’s private story and sharing it with others in a significant method. Seniors emerge from this program with extra confidence of their skills to pay attention, to socialize, a better sense of private accomplishment, and connection to their neighborhood,” states Plana.
Sustain with Seniors in Play by becoming a member of Senior Planet from AARP, and attendees from throughout the US, for a digital fireplace chat with Tony Plana, founding father of Seniors in Play, on June 2, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET | 2:00 p.m. CT | 1:00 p.m. MT | 12:00 p.m. PT. AARP membership shouldn’t be required.
Register right here.
Photograph (prime left) Tony Plana, courtesy Tonyplana.com
Photograph (center proper): Catherine Lee on Zoom (from Seniors In Play rehearsals) display screen captures from video
EVENT LINK: https://aarp.cventevents.com/occasion/2ba7e889-da0f-4b22-a7ad-634221f61aca/abstract
NaBeela Washington, an rising Black author, holds a Grasp’s in Inventive Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire College and Bachelor’s in Visible Promoting from The College of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been revealed in Eater, The Cincinnati Assessment, and others. Be taught extra at nabeelawashington.com.