Palace Theater Seeks Submisison Second Act Presenters

Second Act, the new monthly series set to debut in September at Waterbury's Palace Theater, is looking for people who have an inspiring story to share about their own over fifty "Second Act". "We are particularly looking for people who are engaging and charismatic with a story that will inspire others of how they pursued a passion, dream or championed a cause after the age of fifty and can share it in a presentation style with an audience", stated Sheree Marcucci, Palace Marketing and Public Relations Officer and the creator of the series. 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. Deadline to submit a bio for consideration is July 1.

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 first 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 - 8:00pm

A chance meeting last year with Nancy Schuler 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 the new series. After meeting her, Marcucci envisioned putting a series together featuring presentations by people who had realized their own second acts. Second Act was conceived and will kick-off in September the first of a nine presentation speaker series that will include for attendees a light dinner or brunch depending on the day/time of each individual date in the series. Tickets for the series or individual presentation will be available beginning in July.

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.

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