By Michael G. Williams
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
The theater is a nuanced tradition relying on actors, writers, and directors working together to create entire worlds on a small stage.
And one organization is working to continue this tradition among the nation’s older demographic. Called Senior Theatre USA, the group serves as a national voice for senior theater companies around the country. Its central purpose is arranging festivals and conferences where individuals and senior theater groups can meet, perform, and learn from one another.
According to Arne Lindquist, one of the founders of Senior Theatre USA, each festival employs a different theme of the theater arts. This year’s festival, which will take place on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), emphasizes the performance elements of theater. “Each day of the festival will include a combination of theater workshops and performances,” Lindquist says.
“Every morning, there will be workshops in things like musical theater, which deals not just with repertoire that’s in musical theater, but also how to act, sing, and dance in these productions. “And from noon on, it’s all performing,” he adds.
Interactive experience
While Lindquist notes that it’s often theater groups that attend with rehearsed productions in hand, individuals are more than welcome to bring their own plays or participate in those of other festival attendees.
“I received a call from a woman in Canada who said she is coming by herself, and that’s absolutely fine because we have shows in which she can get involved,” he says. “For instance, there are two people who are coming who have a show that requires eight people, so individuals can participate in those productions that need performers.”
People can also attend the festival as observers—another important component of the complete theater experience. According to actor John Astin, who is this year’s Senior Theatre keynote speaker, the experience extends beyond the play itself.