Young at Heartland Takes the Spotlight June 23 and 28

It's always a hot ticket when the Young at Heartland troupe of senior actors perform. Every summer, they take the stage at Heartland Theatre for two showcases that highlight their acting and writing talents.

Young at Heartland's actors, all over 55, will perform at Heartland Theatre on Friday June 23 at 1 pm and Wednesday June 28 at 7:30 pm. There are no reservations and no set price; they simply ask for a donation at the door. And yes, it's a popular event, so you are warned to get there early -- at least 20 minutes before curtain, when the doors open -- if you want a good seat.

No word on what they'll be performing in this year's program, which represents the culmination of a two-month acting workshop led by veteran director Sandra Zielinski, but I can see what looks like chefs, clowns, firefighters, a matador, a bunch of Wizard of Oz characters, and a bevy of fans and fanatics in this year's photo. (Click on the image above to see a larger copy.) The scenes and short plays these actors perform were all written just for them by current and former YAH colleagues.

Young at Heartland was founded by Ann B. White and continues under her leadership, with two semesters of workshops and performances each year. Ann is the one holding her pom pom high (fourth from the left) in the photo above. She was recently named one of eight area "Women of Distinction" by the YWCA of McLean County for her stellar work with Young at Heartland.

For more information on Young at Heartland, click here. You can also see their entire schedule of area performances here.

Happy Birthday YOUNG AT HEARTLAND!

If it's June, it must be time for the Young at Heartland Summer Showcase! This is the tenth anniversary of the founding of Heartland Theatre's senior acting troupe, and they're celebrating that milestone by performing some of their favorite scenes from past shows. And that includes some scenes written by Young at Heartland members themselves. This year's Showcase features 21 actors in eleven short scenes, performed on stage at Heartland Theatre on Friday, June 28, at 1 pm.

The gift of Young at Heartland keeps on giving.

Young at Heartland actors prepare and workshop their scenes during two-month class sessions held with a special instructor every Spring and Fall. This year, recent ISU masters degree recipient Sarah Salazar headed up the classes, assisted by Misti Crossland, who filled that function last year. Founder and Program Director Ann B. White has once again shepherded the troupe in class and out, as they took their act on the road to the senior centers, churches and civic groups who keep their schedule full.

The Summer Showcase gives Young at Heartland performers an opportunity to show the general public what they've been working on. And it's always a popular event. Reservations are not taken, as it is purely first-come, first-served seating. That means that when the doors open at 12:40 pm, you are advised to be there! Admission is free, although donations are recommended.

For more information on Heartland Theatre or the Young at Heartland program, click the links under their names or call 309-452-870. The entire summer schedule is available here.

Heartland Has its MIDDLETOWN Cast in Place

Will Eno's Middletown is a bittersweet slice-of-life, showcasing the citizens of a small town on ordinary days in their lives. There's birth, death, curiosity, pride of place, casual cruelty, longing for connection and... A good deal of humanity.

Because of the ensemble nature of the show, the size of the cast has varied from production to production. After auditions last week, director John Kirk has announced his cast for the Heartland Theatre production coming in April. For Heartland, the Middletown ensemble will contain twelve players, ranging from IWU student Geena Barry to Heartland past-president Ann B. White, who is also the program director and founder of Young at Heartland, the theater's senior acting troupe.

Barry will play three roles -- Woman, Female Tourist and Music Host -- while White will be take on the roles of Tour Guide, Aunt and Attendant.

The other denizens of Middletown will be played by Lynna Briggs (playing Sweetheart and Ground Control), Dean Brown (Public Speaker, Landscaper and Janitor), Aric Diamani (Male Tourist, Freelancer and Male Doctor), George Freeman (Cop), Karen Hazen (Mrs. Swanson), Richard Jensen (Mechanic), Kathleen Kirk (Librarian), Devon Lovell (Female Doctor and Cop Radio), Rhys Lovell (John Dodge and Science Host) and John Poling (Greg and Man).

It looks like a powerhouse cast for a complex, thoughtful and poetic play by a major new voice in American theater. Will Eno received the Horton Foote Prize for Promising New American Play in 2010 for Middletown, the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theatre Award, and numerous other awards and citations. His play Thom Pain (based on nothing) was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Performances of Middletown begin April 18 at Heartland Theatre. Follow these links to see showtimes and reservation information.

Young at Heartland Schedules June 15 Summer Showcase

Young at Heartland, the acting troupe created especially for seniors, will hold its Summer Showcase at 1 pm on June 15 at Heartland Theatre.

Ann B. White, director of the Young at Heartland program, describes this year's Showcase this way: "Through selected scenes, our Young at Heartland members explore the many opportunities that life can bring. Opportunities can open a whole new world but is it worth the risk? Will they grab the opportunity or let it slip away?"

White adds that 24 seniors will perform in this year's Showcase, which features 12 scenes. Young at Heartland members Bruce Boeck, Elsie Cadieux, Judy Franciosi, Holly Klass, Jane Plum and Terri Ryburn all contributed scenes as the troupe has also taken on playwriting workshops as part of its program.

The Young at Heartland acting company in 2011

The Young at Heartland troupe has participated in a two-month acting workshop in preparation for their Summer Showcase. Although the troupe is usually seen “on the road,” bringing its shows to area nursing and retirement homes, as well as church and civic groups, they also offer this Showcase to give general audiences a chance to see their work. This performance is the only one held at Heartland Theatre.

Donations will be accepted at the door to support the Young at Heartland program.

Heidi Harris was the instructor for the 2012 spring workshop, with Misti Crossland assisting her.

The schedule of performances on June 15 will be:

 Chapter Two by Neil Simon
John Ford as George, Nancy Slattery as Jennie
 Can a mix-up in phone messages actually be a good thing?  

Dining Dilemma by Elsie Cadieux
Larry Eggan as Jasper, Lynda Straw as Rose  
Choosing the perfect way to celebrate a birthday can be a complicated business.  

For Better or Worse - But Not for Lunch by Judy Franciosi
Bob Weldon as Ron, Dottie Peiffer as Marge  
Will retirement bring Ron and Marge more time together or send them in different directions?

Cross Words by Julie Kistler
Gayle Thomas as Mike, Kathe Conley as Fran  
When a stranger intrudes on Mike’s daily crossword time will it lead to cross words?  

Good Grief by Judy Franciosi
Susan Callahan as Bonnye, Joy Schuler as Lucy, Lola DeVore as Jan  
Has the time come for three friends to change their routine? 

Choosing the Menu by Bruce Boeck
Diane Boeck as Edna, Judy Franciosi as Susan, Susan Palmer as Waiter  
Are diet restrictions going to make dining out a thing of the past?

New Idea by Elsie Cadieux
Carol Scott as Belle, Diane Anderson as Ellie
Belle is hearing the siren call of exotic adventures. Can Ellie bring Belle to her senses?

 Signature Dish by Terri Ryburn
Elsie Cadieux as Dorothy, Holly Klass as Barbara Jean  
Is it possible that a potluck dinner will produce important food for thought?  

Feelin' Curvey by Holly Klass
Mary Scott as Connie, Jan Proeber as Marge  
Marge and Connie meet at a Curves Fitness Center. Connie’s worried that a news article means her life is about to change.  

The Cocktail Hour by A. R. Gurney
 Ann B. White as Ann, George Freeman as John and Larry Eggan as Bradley  
At a family gathering, John announces that his new play is about the family. His father is dead-set against it and his well-meaning mother, Ann, encourages him to write a book instead.

Gadgetry, written and performed by Jane N. Plum  
Technology has opened new possibilities but it has also complicated our lives.  

Monologue by Terri Ryburn

Young at Heartland Summer Showcase

Friday, June 15, 2012

1 pm