9:00–9:30 Welcome by Karen Brinn, Director WCCA
Greetings from Barbara Greenberg, Helen
Andrus Benedict Foundation

9:30–10:30 Theatrical Performance
Out Of Order and Unresolved Stories
Directed by Billy Ayres

10:30–11:00  Q & A with Billy Ayres and the
Out of Order Players

11:00–12:00 Creative Chat Groups

NOON Lunch

1:00–2:00 Creative Aging Workshops–A, B or C

2:15–3:15 Creative Aging Workshops–D, E or F

3:15–4ish Distribution of WCCA Directories

Thank You/Closing Remarks

9:30 am
Westchester Network for People with Disabilities presents presents
        
Out of Order and Unresolved Stories
An original play by Billy Ayres, featuring the Out of Order Players

The director Billy Ayres is a performing artist/teacher and published songwriter.

A talented singer, Billy has sung alongside some of the most well known performers in the world. As a songwriter, he has many national commercials (jingles) to his credit.

Having written over 50 original plays, Billy has created and mastered a technique he uses with children and adults of all abilities called IIMD: Improvisational, Integrated Music and Drama. IIMD includes mime, comedy, song writing, improvisational acting, costume design, scenic design and performance. The needs of the participants determines the creative path to be taken. The process allows children and adults a vehicle to express feelings which may be locked inside waiting to be explored and shared.

11:30 - 12:00 pm
Creative Chat Groups
Informal discussion with artists and organizational staff

Chat 1 – Westchester Center for Creative Aging
Chat 2 – Westchester Arts Council
Chat 3 – Elder Craftsmen
Chat 4 – Senior Moments: An Art and Oral History Project

Chat 5 – Time Slips: Interactive Storytelling with Slips Alzheimer’s Nursing Home Residents
Chat 6 – Oral History: Methods and Practice among Social Workers

WORKSHOP 1 1:00 - 2:00pm

Creative Writing for Care-givers of Alzheimer’s Patients
Mary Crescenzo, Writer, Poet, Playwright

This workshop will address the needs of staff, friends and family of Alzheimer’s patients to process their experiences with patients. Through the use of creative writing (poetry, and fiction), participants use literary expression to address issues that affect all those dealing with this disease. The workshop includes examples of poetry and monologues created during the process of working with Alzheimer’s patients. The artists’s experience of working with Alzheimer’s clients using other media such as visual art, movement and song will be shared. A Q & A period will culminate the session.

Mary Crescenzo is a published writer, poet, playwright, interdisciplinary performance/installation/
video artist and cultural worker focusing mainly on community issues. Her work with Alzheimer’s patients using visual art, music and movement in Tulsa and New York inspired her off off Broadway play, The Alzheimer’s Monologues, which was staged in NYC in October 2004. She conducts workshops for professional and family care-givers on the use of the arts with Alzheimer’s patients, as well as creative writing workshops for care-givers.

Self expression through movement:
Understanding the body you’re moving in
Rae Ballard, Fitness and Dance

This workshop will explore the principles of movement that can lead to self-expression, creative movement and an increased range of motion. Gain a better appreciation for people’s physical and emotional barriers to movement. Provide the skill set that facilitates growth but avoids injuries. Learn how such programs can: offer renewed vigor, improve posture, and movement, enhance walking, stimulate play and fun.

Rae Ballard is a personal trainer and a teacher of fitness and dance. Ms. Ballard is a WAC roster artist and works with the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts. Ms. Ballard has more than 20 years of experience teaching movement, dance and yoga classes to children and adults.

Theatre Arts Activities
Julia Kelly, Theatre

Self expression and interaction can be stimulated through drama. Fun and varied activities will be described. The opportunity to act can be entertaining as well as enlightening. It allows an opportunity for participants to communicate, to laugh, to empathize. Anger management will be addressed along with additional improv ideas. The discussion following an improvisation can be useful.

Julia Kelly is an actress and a playwright. She has performed on the NY Stage and in regional theatres, on television and radio. Her original play, “Don’t Mind Me” (c.2000), debuted in NYC, NY State and regional theatres. Julia conducts theatre workshops with older adults and children, using drama therapy through which she elicits personal expression, script development and improvisation.

WORKSHOP 2 2:15 - 3:15pm

Where I’m From:  A Sense Memory Guided Imagery Workshop
Brenda Connor-Bey, Writer/Poet
Karen Sevell Greenbaum, Visual Artist

Utilizing the poem, Where I’m From, by George Ella Lyons, and set to the music of Heaven on Earth by harpist Hilary Stagg, this sense memory guided imagery workshop is designed to help people unlock creativity, develop concentration, and learn to focus through simple visualization. Participants will experience another way of expressing themselves creatively through this method that incorporates writing, drawing and aromas.

Teaching partners, Brenda Connor-Bey and Karen Sevell Greenbaum, integrate art, literacy, music and movement as foundations of their work as instructors and facilitators in residencies and professional development workshops. Literacy and art are the cornerstones of their work. Karen and Brenda are artist roster members with P/NW BOCES and the
Westchester Arts Council, and are affiliated as independent teaching artists with the Katonah
Museum of Art and the Neuberger Museum of Art.

Art for Your Soul
Judith Rudnick Kane, Artist

Judith has a passion for teaching, especially when the participant is open and receptive. Working with older adults has been one of the most nourishing experiences for her, as well as her students. It is not just about the process or the product, it is particularly about the relationship between the facilitator and the creator that can open the channels to amazing
work. Learn how to get prospective participants up “to dance, sing, and create art!” Bring them humor, intellectual stimulation, and sincere caring. Experience one of Judith’s “junk art workshops” so that you can bring back the magic to your community.

Judith Rudnick Kane is an artist who paints and creates art in many forms. She has been making art, teaching, and working as a personal creativity trainer for over 25 years. “Art for Your Soul” is a program that she has developed to help focus and enlighten students to their own personal creativity. In addition to working in senior centers, retirement homes and assisted living facilities, Judith also teaches art on cruise ships and at colleges in the
Westchester area.

Pastime Present Tense Tales
Jonathan Kruk, Master Storyteller
 
A 1988 residency linking St Cabrini Nursing Home residents to Dobbs Ferry fifth graders inspires this workshop. Sharing stories, wisdom fables, fairy tales, and anecdotes, this workshop gives participants a set of Teller’s Tools to engage seniors. The tales can be gathered by others like treasures. Creative drama techniques, story starting activities, and collaborations with school groups will be demonstrated. Please come ready to listen, image
and tell tales.

Jonathan Kruk, M.A. education, with twenty-five years experience, is a master storyteller. Known for his legends of the Hudson Valley, especially Halloween telling of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” moved The New York Times, to call him “Westchester’s intrepid storyteller”. Inspired by a vivacious loquacious Polish grandfather, and a kid brother in need of bedtime tales, Jonathan now performs over two hundred venues annually.
EASY RSVP
PHONE OR EMAIL NOW!
1 Email or call workshop choice for each time slot:

1:00-2:00pm – A B C
2:15-3:15pm – D E F

2 Leave name, full address and phone and email.

3 Email or call your conference information to:

Email address: kbrinn@wccreativeaging.org

Phone number: 914-843-0275
 
WCCA