Beth Johnson back row far right with friends from DreamWrights StAGEs troupe
Following a full year of successful programming, DreamWrights once again offers StAGEs, an award-winning, theatre arts program designed for adults 50 and older. Sponsored in part by AARP and the Cultural Alliance Creative Impact Award, this program encourages active participation in the arts where participants learn and experiment with theatrical techniques to tell stories, create plot and characters, build friendships and laugh!
StAGEs is open to new and returning participants but is limited to the first 20 enrollees. Building on the success from the 2016 series, this journey creates a map of creative, story-based encounters through a ten-week series. Using an integrative approach, participants work with the “building blocks” of improvisation, story building, and narrative-based exercises to create theatrical scenes in which to share their life experiences.
Returning participant, Beth Johnson is looking forward to the session starting up again. “I enjoy the fellowship of the people and what we do. It is very rewarding. I look forward to it.” Mrs. Johnson says the group really bonds over the course of the series and says that the group is very welcoming to new members and the bonding continues and extends to them as well.
Mrs. Johnson, who turns 90 in a couple of weeks, says that three years ago she lost her husband of 63 years. “This for me has filled a void. StAGES is something that is a major part of my life. We have fun, we can laugh. It is good for friendships. It is good for your health. Many people might thing they can’t get up and do this in front of people but the games that we play are ones that we can all feel comfortable with.”
Inspired by the National Council on Creative Aging (NCCA), DreamWrights is honored to provide this unique offering in York County! The ten-week series is led by professional theatre artist, Renee Morth who is looking forward to weaving together life experiences of the group in a meaningful way. Ms. Morth explains, “I believe in the power of theatre to build strong community relationships and create empathetic individuals, and as a theatre artist I am dedicated to sharing meaningful stories about real people, reaching out into the world bravely and passionately in the hopes of breaking down barriers that inhibit community connection and growth. Engaging in theatre is an invaluable gift that I am honored to share with others, positively affecting their lives through the creation of a supportive, ensemble environment and aiding in the journey towards greater creative expression.”
StAGES meets once a week on Mondays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm March 13th through May 15th at DreamWrights, 100 Carlisle Avenue, York PA 17401. There is free off-street, accessible parking. Enrollment is limited to 20 participants with a nominal fee of $10 per session. Pay $80 for the full 10 sessions up front and save $2 per session. Full scholarships are available upon request. Call 717-848-8623 x1 to register.
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