Seasoned Theatre: A Guide to Creating and Maintaining a Senior Adult Theatre [Paperback]

Martha Haarbauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0325001782 | ISBN-13: 978-0325001784

Demographics prove that senior citizens are a growing percentage of our society - and that goes for theatre as well. With more than fifteen years experience working with both senior and student actors, Martha Haarbauer offers a practical guide to all aspects of establishing and maintaining a senior adult theatre. Readers will discover information on organizing, recruiting, and working with older actors; choosing appropriate material; making technical decisions; locating a place to work; attracting audiences; and generating funds to support the theatre group.

Full of resources, examples, information, and guidelines, Seasoned Theatre is an essential book for:

• those thinking of creating a senior adult theatre
• established organizations interested in developing and sustaining their senior programs
• theatre professionals eager to explore the possibilities of senior adult theatre work
• theatre students wanting to learn about theatre management and professional opportunities
• senior centers, retirement communities, and church groups inspired to develop their own senior adult theatre troupe.

The extensive appendices and bibliography offer additional resources, plays for seniors, sample theatre bylaws, and a sample grant proposal.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martha Haarbauer has directed The Seasoned Performers senior adult theatre since 1984 and has taught in the Department of Theatre at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for more than twenty-five years. Her experiences teaching classes and leading workshops, acting, designing costumes, writing theatre reviews and scripts, touring theatre productions, fundraising, and running a business have enabled this award-winning director and actress to establish one of the nation's most vibrant senior adult theatre programs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama (February 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325001782
• ISBN-13: 978-0325001784
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,725,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SEASONED CITIZENS NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD!, January 13, 2003

By 

James T. Reed III "Jim Reed" (Birmingham, Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seasoned Theatre: A Guide to Creating and Maintaining a Senior Adult Theatre (Paperback)

Martha Haarbauer's handbook is exactly right for anyone who wants to start and run a touring theatre for senior citizens. Martha knows how, because she's done it, and done it well! Her Seasoned Performers and Seasoned Readers troupes are well-known throughout Alabama, and the only frustration with her company is the fact that it can't be cloned for the rest of the country. This is the guidebook that tells you what you need to know to get started, but the real story isn't here at all. The real joy of Martha's story is in the doing--you just have to be a part of her senior theatre group to see what enthusiasm and longevity can do to resurrect the soul and make you want to live--and perform for others--forever. Dip into this book and find your bliss!
--Jim Reed, author, SMALL TOWN RED CLAY TALES BOTH ACTUAL AND TRUE, performed by the Seasoned Readers. More about author Reed: jimreedbooks.com