Acting Up!

Acting Up!: An Innovative Approach to Creative Drama for Older Adults stands as a pioneering work in the field of drama therapy and social gerontology. Published in 1982, the book challenges the pervasive stereotypes of aging, presenting the golden years not as a period of decline but as a rich territory for creative expression and personal legacy. The authors: Marcie Telander, Flora Quinlan, and Karol Verson: bring their collective experience in theater and social work to create a curriculum specifically tailored to the physical and emotional needs of seniors.

The text is built on the belief that storytelling and performance are vital human needs that do not diminish with age. The authors provide a structured 'Acting Up' program that has been used in community centers, retirement homes, and hospitals. The program moves beyond simple entertainment, utilizes improvisation and creative dramatics as tools for cognitive stimulation, memory retrieval, and social connection. By reclaiming their 'inner child' and externalizing their life stories, participants are empowered to find a new sense of purpose and visibility.

The book is particularly noted for its sensitivity to the physical realities of its participants. Exercises are designed to be inclusive of various mobility levels and cognitive abilities, ensuring that every senior has the opportunity to contribute. It provides a blueprint for facilitators on how to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where seniors can explore their identities and share their wisdom through the medium of play.

Upon its release, Acting Up! was praised as a 'lifeline' for those working with seniors. It remains a foundational text in the field of creative aging. Reviewers often highlight the authors' profound respect for their subjects and their ability to demonstrate the transformative power of theater. While the technology and social context of 1982 have changed, the book's central message: that the human spirit is never too old for the stage: continues to inspire practitioners in the modern creative aging movement.