Finding a Voice on Stage

“Being part of the group makes me feel alive,” says Cornfield, who had a front row seat at the recent viewing of a movie her group had made to showcase their creative talents.

“People have the stereotype that there is a way you should act and sound when you’re my age,” says Cornfield. “They think you just sit and vegetate, but we are active. We have a social group that keeps us feeling creative… we’re giving something back and not just sitting there passively while entertainment is provided for us.”

Her friend, Jean Goldstein, 89, agrees. “The theatre group keeps me in touch with what’s going on at The Terraces, I meet people with interests similar to mine, and it’s very stimulating to learn new things and perform for others. Our grandchildren look at us with new eyes.”

The eight members of the group write and perform skits about the challenges they face as seniors residing in an assisted living facility. With honesty, sincerity – and a sense of humour – they explore topics such as the sadness they feel when they don’t get to see their grandchildren as often as they would like, dealing with “traffic jams” caused by their walkers, the loss of independence and loneliness they initially felt when they moved to The Terraces, and coping with the death of their friends.

“This group was founded close to five years ago as a vehicle for hearing the voices of our clients, giving them a mechanism for self-expression and for dialogue in community,” says Baycrest’s Bianca Stern.

“I started this with a resident (who has since passed away) who urged me to do something tangible and genuine that residents could be part of,” she explains. “She was concerned at the time that we needed more vehicles to hear the client voice and raise awareness.”

Stern believes in the power of the arts as a therapeutic medium. Today, she and her co-facilitator, Shawn Fremeth, work to empower the actors and enable their creativity. They hold yearly story-telling sessions, invite all interested residents in The Terraces to participate, and choose topics based on discussion with the actors.

Stern knows that story telling can be a powerful way to capture feelings and emotions and explore social issues.

“It has given the group a sense of purpose and agency (the ability to take control of an idea, use their creative abilities and produce something that is put out there),” she says. “It has increased their confidence and selfesteem. It has energized them. Group members have also been a source of encouragement, comfort, and support for each other through the ups and downs in their lives. It has given them the impetus to explore other creative activities and empowered them to raise key social issues within their community and explore solutions.

Stern encourages older adults living in the community to try their hand at something new, by exploring the programs available at their local community centres, colleges, museums, art galleries and other arts-based organizations.

“If a person used to enjoy drawing and now has difficulty using a pen, they can try a different tool, or a different art, a different approach to maintaining their creativity. Baby Boomers can play a role in encouraging their parents to participate in painting or pottery classes, choral groups or creative writing groups.”

Back at The Terraces, the theatre group’s movie performance has just ended. The theatre group receives raucous applause. The members get to their feet – slowly and surely – turn to the crowd and wave at them with big smiles on their faces.

“It’s pretty nice to get some applause,” laughs Cornfield. “We love to ham it up!”