The Living History Storytelling Project at Kennett Square Senior Center
By Jan Michener, Actor and Teacher
It's hard to believe that the project is in its fourth year and there are still so many stories to be uncovered and shared.
The project continues to grow and my seniors never cease to amaze me. Robert who is one of the two men that have been with the project from the inception just joined an all women's band (plus One - Him) called "Grateful 2B Alive". The women in his band are joining our group and will be doing the music for our spring show that we have started putting together now which combines songs and monologues from the senior's past. Robert says their main challenge is "playing nicely together", it seems their hearing aids are all turned to different volumes.
Robert is also a volunteer at the West Chester Historical Society. He told me last week that being part of our group is what gave him the confidence to expand and join other groups. Before joining the group he had been the prime caregiver to his wife who suffered from both cancer and Alzheimer and had recently died.
The group took their first field trip to Philly for the 2008-2009 season to see Philadelphia Theatre Company's first show of the season "Unusual Acts of Devotion". Through a grant PTC got to expand their Community Audience Program, my senior group gets to see all four shows for free. We then participate in an outreach program with other groups. I think it is important for seniors to both see professional theatre as well as create their own shows.
Our group is now meeting in the "special assistance" room and the members of the center with special needs such as Alzheimers have joined our group. It is so wonderful watching them get up and do a Conga line to "She'll be coming around the mountain" and doing the Hokey Pokey with the others. Francesca, the staff member who works with the group is amazed at the stories that are coming out of these seniors who previously often sat silently in their chairs and also how the Storytelling group opens their arms and reaches out to new arrivals and immediately includes them in the songs and stories of their lives.
It is so fulfilling to hear the stories and watch the community grow. After each workshop I hear, "I didn't know I still remembered that" and "We are each so different but we are also the same." This past Tuesday one of the women was sad because she couldn't get to the polls to vote because she had no transportation. Another member of the group immediately volunteered to drive her there and to wait and take her home afterwards. The woman who needed a ride came here from Cuba 40 years ago and has never missed voting since becoming an American citizen. It meant so much to her that someone would drive her so what happens in our group doesn't just stay in the group, the kindness continues all week long.