A VOLUNTEER not-for-profit seniors’ community theatre ensemble can now develop scripts for Tasmania’s youth to better understand older generations through a Clarence City Council development grant.
The Act Your Age Seniors’ Theatre Group has received $15,000 over two years through Council’s Community Grants Program, for performance and production costs, promotions and website development.
From left, Philip Crouch, Jean Grosse, Philip Sweetingham, Cathy Maley, Marie Dowlman. Not in this photo is Margaret Kinsela, Kerryn MacMillan & Jim Beresford. Photo courtesy David Bellamy
Drama director, Philip Crouch, said nine volunteers and two support performers had relied on donations or used their private funds to bring seniors critical entertainment.
“We can now look at things differently and move on projects we could only hope to bring to our audiences,” Mr Crouch said.
“One of these projects is to form public and private collaborations, with the aim of educating young Tasmanians about our ageing population, including the gifts they bring to the community and the challenges they face.
“The volunteer community group has been performing theatre-in-the-round since 2006, inspiring humor and discussion among the elderly about social, health and wellbeing issues.”
Funds approved by Council will also be used to build a profile and launch an awareness campaign for seniors wanting to experience an hour of performance and discussion.
The grant will also cover the cost of a floating microphone for improved audience interaction, advertising and research projects to find historical characters for scripts.
“This has certainly been a confidence boost for our volunteers who can continue to tell real stories about real issues facing our seniors,” Mr Crouch said.
Dear Friends,
THANK YOU for your article & publication regarding Act Your Age, Theatre. We actively and progressively thank Clarence Council for their commitment to our community theatre work-and for the individual and community organisations who have encouraged us to continue artistically theatre in the round.