SENIOR CITIZEN ACTORS…WHERE ARE YOU? Mature Adult Actors are scarce at auditions.
SENIOR CITIZEN ACTORS…WHERE ARE YOU? Mature Adult Actors are scarce at auditions.
SENIOR CITIZEN ACTORS…WHERE ARE YOU?
Mature Adult Actors are scarce at auditions.
Here’s an opportunity for baby boomers to explore the their talents.
There are at least five local theatres presenting live stage productions. Young actors, generally between 18 to 30 years of age often dominate auditions for local productions. Selecting plays with characters in the 50 to 65 year age range and beyond can often present a challenge for producers and directors. This limited pool of mature or senior citizen actors, presents an opportunity, for those looking for a creative outlet in their spare time or retirement.
The Levan Institute at Bakersfield College, which was founded by a generous donation by Dr. Norman Levan of USC Medical School, focuses on providing useful learning experiences for older adults interested in gaining knowledge and discovering new experiences throughout their lives.
The low cost courses are brief and generally no longer than 6 weeks long, meeting once weekly. This Springs’s list of courses includes, INTRODUCTION TO ACTING AND THEATRE, Six (6) one and a half hour workshops that will introduce mature students to learn basic techniques, skills and processes that form a foundation for those who are interested in exploring their own acting abilities and perhaps pursue local community theatre as a hobby or late life career. The fee for the entire six-week course is $35. Workshop dates are Thursday evenings, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2 and 16.
The introductory course includes basic theory, scene and character study, theatre games and exercises to sharpen the actor’s tools, improvisation and rehearsal of short scenes with scene partners. Here is an opportunity to have fun and discover a whole new you through acting.
The workshop director, Ron Bastone, was the founder and Producing Director of Hollywood Actors Theatre, Inc, from 1977 – 1991, where he produced and directed more than 45 stage plays. Bastone last directed the local production of In the Boom Boom Room at BCT PLAYHOUSE in Bakersfield and wrote for two nationally aired children’s TV shows, The New Mickey Mouse Club, 1977-79 and Kids, Inc in the mid 1980’s. Now retired, Ron has a Masters Degree in Marital and Family Therapy. He was also responsible or developing the ACT-OUT program for youth at risk for Kern County Dept. of Human Services in Bakersfield.
Those who wish to enroll can do so on-line a the Bakersfield College website, ww.bakersfieldcollge.edu/levaninstitute, calling (661) 395-4331 or obtaining a complete list of Levan Institute courses and enrollment form at Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield 93305.
The Levan courses are primarily designed for those over 55 but are open to all mature adults for the same fee. These courses are outside the credit sphere of the college and are not part of any degree program. (See attached flier)
