Spot of T - Act Your Age
By Terry Alburger Life Engagement Coordinator, Brittany Pointe Estates At my job at Brittany Pointe, I get to do a lot of interesting and fun things. But probably my favorite role is that of writer and director for the theater group, The Song & Dance Troupe. It never fails to impress me, the many talents of these incredible residents that live here. Each year, I write words on a page (OK, many pages) in a script. It’s two-dimensional, it’s ideas in written form. However, when I turn this over to my creative team, it springs to life in most impressive and often surprising ways.
Perhaps if you were to look at a cast picture, you would think something like, “What a cute group of older people.” I guarantee you, they are so much more than that. The people they are chronologically have nothing to do with the talented and spirited souls that live within.
I have learned many valuable lessons in my 15 years working with this incredible generation, but by far the most valuable is that the person within never changes. It is not driven by age; the spirit within never fades. This is especially brought out by theater productions. During these shows, I ask them to be a certain character, to exaggerate a role, to improvise, to feel a particular song, or perhaps to relive many great memories of their life experiences. In essence, I ask them to BE that spirit within them, and to bring it to the surface in a performance.
It is interesting to see the wide variety of people that take part in the theater productions here. Some have always performed, from a very young age. They are at home on stage, and perhaps are professionally trained in some aspect of the arts: singing, acting, dance, etc. Then there are the closet thespians, the ones who have always wanted to try something like this but never dared. I find it interesting that as they get a little older and wiser, they seem to lose more inhibitions, and are willing to try new things. A large portion of our latest cast fit that bill, and they really enjoyed it! Many found talents they really didn’t even know they had. It was fun to witness the realization of their gifts, and the discovery of how much they enjoyed sharing those gifts.
Here at Brittany Pointe, many people get involved with our shows, and not just on stage. We have sound engineers, photography and videography crews, stage hands, set design, just to name a few. And of course, I have a creative team that helps me to come up with these fun productions year after year. I am surrounded by so many talented people, and I truly am inspired by them. I see in them what I want to be when I grow up.
I’ve said it before – the real you is NOT dictated by that person you see in the mirror every morning. You are the person you feel inside. That person might be an actor, a singer, a dancer, or just a young kid in an older body. So, if anyone ever tells you to “act your age,” tell them “No, thank you!” That is probably the worst advice you can give a person. Just be the person you are inside. And who knows what fun adventures await that person?
About Brittany Pointe Estates
Brittany Pointe Estates is a gracious Lansdale retirement community that reflects the charm of the region of France for which it is named. Situated in northern Montgomery County, residents of Brittany Pointe Estates senior living community enjoy an abundance of shopping opportunities, cultural offerings, theaters, gourmet restaurants, and beautiful parks that are nearby. Many of the nation’s top hospitals and health care providers are less than an hour away in Center City Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. It is located at 1001 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446 and you can call 267-657-3106 for information.