Palace Theater Looking For Inspiring People Over 50 To Tell Their Stories For New Fall Series

A chance meeting last year with a charismatic sixty-eight year old, Litchfield county woman, who after thirty years as a personal trainer, discovered her voice and talent as a playwright and actor at age 65, was the impetus for a new series beginning this fall at the Palace Theater. After meeting Nancy Schuler, the theater's Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Sheree Marcucci envisioned putting a series together featuring presentations by people who had realized their own second acts after age fifty and could now share their story and inspire others to do the same. Thus, Second Act was born and is set to kick-off in September with the first of a nine presentation speaker series that will include a lightdinner or brunch for attendees.

Speakers are being sought now for the series meant to stimulate the intellect, as well as those sometimes more elusive life elements: purpose, hope and joi de vivre as we age.

"The idea that once you hit a certain age you are just biding your time has become a passé notion today as people over the age of fifty are doing some pretty amazing things to fully embrace life while inspiring others to do the same", noted Marcucci. Whether it's the story of the woman age 104, who became a yoga practitioner and instructor and now has become an internet sensation or someone who discovers a new found passion or talent, they are all debunking the myth of what it means to age in today's society. Researchers at Stanford University (USA) found that older adults who remain active and engaged in areas such as personal growth opportunities, volunteerism, continuing education process, and social activities can significantly improve their health and stave off potential memory loss and other elder maladies. "The brain is like a muscle - if you don't give it regular workouts, its functions will decline".

People fifty years of age or older interested in being a presenter who have an interesting Second Act story that addresses one of these priority areas will be given priority consideration:

*Healthy Aging

*Aging successfully and safely in the community

*Education, Arts and creative expression

*Community needs, engagement and volunteerism

*Connecting Information, benefits and resources

*Literary arts

*Self help and Motivation

Presentations need to be 45 - 60 minutes in length followed by Q & A with the audience. A stipend of $250 will be offered to each of the nine presenters selected.

The first two presentations on September 18 and October 23 already have speakers confirmed. Remaining dates presenters are needed for are:

Saturday November 10, 12:00 - 2:00pm

Saturday Jan 12 - 12:00 - 2:00pm

Saturday Feb 23 - 12:00 - 2:00pm

Tuesday March 26 - 4:00 - 6:00pmpm

Tuesday April 23 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Tuesday May 7 6:00 - 8:00pm

Tuesday June 25 - 6:00 - 8:00pmpm

Initial funding for the program has been provided by the Connecticut Community Foundation www.conncf.org as the concept aligned perfectly with the Foundation's stated interest area to help people in our region age successfully and remain healthy, informed and engaged. The Second Act series addresses the Foundation's funding priorities of healthy aging, personal growth, creative expression and community engagement for older adults in an effort to improve the quality of life through the aging process and encourage post career engagement for community and self -improvement.

Please contact Sheree Marcucci at the theater 203.346.2008 if you or someone you know might be interested in being a presenter for the Second Act series or for more information. Information about the speakers and registration will be available in the summer.

To post a comment, you must register and login.