Target Repertoire
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REPERTOIRE
Target Theatre has an established repertoire on a variety of interests and concerns to seniors. Most performance pieces encourage audience participation - to find ways of improving a bad situation and to reveal new insights into the many dilemmas faced by seniors and caregivers alike.
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE and other forms of DEMENTIA
These plays examine various aspects of dementia in the elderly, including violence and sexuality, acceptance and planning, and home and institutional care.
Alma - A Caregiver's Story, by John Tench. This play illustrates how a husband gradually comes to terms with his wife's progressive dementia, and accepts help.
Best of Intentions, by John Tench, follows the progress of an elderly mother from home care to institutional care. This FORUM THEATRE presentation examines a variety of interactions between familial and professional caregivers.
A Quiet Walk, by John Tench, concerns the stimuli and control of violence in people with Alzheimer's. Set in a respite care home, the presentation deals with a family's journey from fear and confusion to acceptance. FORUM THEATRE
I Don't Know You Anymore, by John
Tench. Problems, solutions and compromises involved in the disinhibited behaviour
of some older people with dementia. A one-act play designed to stimulate discussion
around this sensitive subject.
I'm Still Here. A research-based
drama on living with dementia created by Act II Studio, Ryerson University.
This wonderful piece weaves several real-life stories together to present
a moving and ultimately hopeful look at dementia. The play works to increase
understanding and diminish the fears and stigma that often surround this subject.
CONTINENCE
This interactive drama is designed to help home and community care workers to communicate with sensitivity when dealing with someone affected by incontinence.
A Leak in the Plumbing, by Heldor Schäfer. Stuck in an apartment elevator on their way to various destinations, five women and one man have different reactions when one among them has an "accident." FORUM THEATRE.
DATING
A light-hearted play about a mature woman's attempts at re-entering the dating scene when she gets fed up with waiting for a suitable man to take the first step.
Millicent Steps into the Arena, by John Tench. Three women devise a plot to lure a shy man in Millicent's building for a tête-è-tête to her apartment, only to have their well-laid plans backfire.
DEATH and DYING
Two plays covering family interaction, acceptance of mortality, taking control of the process, and the problem of deciding on the level of treatment for terminal patients unable to make their own decisions.
Let's Have My Wake Before I'm Gone, by Judith McDowell. A person with terminal cancer and her family, after initial disagreements and quarrels, learn to face death with a measure of control and acceptance. The concepts of representation agreement and hospice care are touched upon. FORUM THEATRE.
Who Speaks For Emily?, by Jo Cannon. The family of a person dying with Alzheimer's must decide on the level of treatment in her final days. The play demonstrates a range of reactions to death and underlines the value of advance directives (living wills). Audience participation through IMAGING and FORUM THEATRE
ELDER ABUSE
A variety of situations exploring elderly protagonists and the problems they encounter with family and institutions.
A Quiet Day in the Country, by John Tench. During a family outing, ostensibly arranged to provide a pleasant change for the elderly father or mother, s/he is belittled, ignored, and patronized... with a surprise ending. Humour. READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
The Bath, by John Tench. A residential care where an older man is humiliated by a well-intentioned but insensitive nurse. READ THIS PLAY.
Father's Little Holiday, by John Tench. Three siblings resort to drawing lots to determine who of them will have to "babysit" their aging father during a long-promised token mini-vacation, when they suddenly receive an unexpected long-distance phone call from him - from a rather unexpected, exotic location! READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
Of Mice and Money, by John Tench. A lighthearted but topical story of an elderly widow's run-in with a con-man and the advice she gets from a well-meaning but ineffectual neighbour, a bossy daughter, and a banker. READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
INJURY PREVENTION
A trio of light-hearted playlets for seniors, addressing injury hazards and prevention and the interesting possibilities in life after retirement.
Stella Cleans House, by Jo Cannon. An overzealous daughter goes overboard in "protecting" her mother from real and imagined hazards; mother turns elsewhere for comfort! READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
Faceless Bureaucrats, by Jo Cannon. A farcical look at an injured citizen's search for justice and recompense from city hall. READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
Hips, by Jo Cannon, demonstrates how healthy seniors can protect themselves from common injuries and stay active - very, very active! READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
ORGAN DONATION
A 45-minute play in two scenes about the issues surrounding organ donation and transplants.
Nobody Wants My Old Organs, by Heldor Schäfer and the company of players of Target Theatre. An elderly woman at a golf course tries to break the news to her estranged daughter that she wants to be an organ donor when her "time comes." A cast of diverse characters - from bag lady to hot dog vendor, golfers to bartender - have a go at the controversies and urban myths surrounding the subject. READ AN EXCERPT OF THIS PLAY.
WAR and PEACE
Monologues, music, songs and dance, all woven around the World War II experiences of Target performers.
Wot - No Soap? by the company of players of Target Theatre who play themselves in this musical revue that remembers the sad and the funny of a time when its participants were young.
. . . N E W W OR K . . .
Age on Wheels. Target is currently
developing a play that explores the ins-and-outs of safe driving for seniors.
Develop a project for your own theme! Target members
will research, write and produce a play or education session to suit the requirements
of any themes relative to aging.
To discuss a project please contact:
1728 Douglas Street · Victoria, BC · Canada V8W 2G7
Phone 250-477-6054
E-mail: target@islandnet.com
