Pontine Theatre Receives Papoutsy Arts Venture Fund Grant

Pontine Theatre has received a $2,500 grant from the The Papoutsy Arts Ventures Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to tour scenes from its original production, New England Utopia, to four assisted and independent living facilities for seniors located on the Seacoast. Performances will take place in May and June 2015.

Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the New England population - they are also the most avid attendees of live performances - yet many are no longer able to travel, or have limited access to live performances. By bringing the production to them, Pontine addresses an important, though often overlooked constituency.

Pontine Theatre specializes in creating original plays based on the history and literature of New England. Several years ago the company created New England Utopia which explores the 19th century New England Transcendentalist Movement founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Bronson Alcott (father of Louisa May). Pontine's play particularly looked at three communities established by these uniquely American philosophers: the movement that grew up around Emerson in Concord MA, Brook Farm in West Roxbury MA, and Fruitlands in Harvard MA. Programs related to New England subjects are of deep interest to Seacoast audiences. They engage both intellect and memory, leading to lively, stimulating discussions. They also have a deeper therapeutic value. Many seniors who reside at nursing homes and assisted living communities have lost family, friends and homes. They often battle depression and feelings of isolation. Arts programs help to keep seniors connected to the larger world around them by stimulating curiosity, bringing them together in positive and engaging activity, and reminding them of the value of their own heritage. Cost is a serious challenge for most of the factilities which serve the needs of our senior citizens. Without assistance many would be unable to afford cultural programs for their clients. Support from the Papoutsy Arts Ventures Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation funds Pontine's performances in Dover and Newmarket NH and in York ME. Pontine's programs are also supported by grants from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photo Credit: Andrew Edgar

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