GeriActors & Friends: Fearless Acting and the Delight of Intergenerational Theatre

In this fascinating book, David Barnet tells the story of GeriActors & Friends, the Edmonton-based theatre group that includes as members both seniors from their late fifties to mid-nineties, and students and alumni from the University of Alberta. The group's founding artistic director, Barnet has watched it grow and evolve over the course of more than two decades. The "Geris and Friends" (as they refer to themselves) not only perform before a wide variety of audiences, but also write their own plays, some based on plays like Shakespeare's King Lear. In the course of writing, rehearsing, and performing, members have not only honed their theatrical skills, but have explored the many challenges that life presents, including those associated with aging. The book will appeal to anyone interested in intergenerational and community theatre, and includes excerpts from the Geris' plays as well as insight into the group's structure and operations.This book is for seniors and students, drama teachers, university specialists in applied and community-based theatre, recreation directors, professional theatre companies offering programs for seniors, and anyone starting a seniors' or intergenerational theatre company.COMMENTS FROM THE GERIACTORS"I thought GeriActors was for 'old people, ' and THEN I met them! They amazed me. They were brilliant. And everyone had a smile or was laughing. There was a feeling of happiness and fun everywhere.GeriActors makes one forget about aging. We just have fun!" "The GeriActors have set me free.""When we play, we are most alive.""Working with the Geris may have been one of the most influential experiences of my undergraduate degree.""GeriActors & Friends is a gem, a social experiment, a home place, and a playground."