ARTS FOR LIFE AND GARAGE THEATRE GROUP JOIN FORCES IN A COURSE FOR SENIORS

ACTING CLASSES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS 50+

WHEN: Tuesdays, June 3, 10 and 17, at 10:30 AM
WHERE: Becton Theater at Fairleigh Dickinson University, 960 River Road in Teaneck
TUITION: The fee for a single class is $15, or $40 for all three.
More information is available at www.artsforlifenj.com or by calling 201.638.5698.

The Arts for Life Network of New Jersey and the Garage Theatre Group (GTG) are joining together to reach out to active adults fifty-plus with a 3-week series of acting classes taught by Michael Bias, GTG’S artistic/producing director. Geared to both novices and those wishing to brush up their acting skills, the classes will be held on-stage at the GTG’s home. 

Artist-teacher and Tenafly resident Michael Bias, who co-founded the theater company twenty years ago, has directed/produced more than 100 plays and musicals. His directing credits include the world premieres of Billie, More Than A Soap Opera, and Summer of Love, all of which he co-wrote, as well as Meester Amerika. Other directorial credits include The Bald Soprano, Doubt, Runaways, Aida, High School Musical and The Wind in The Willows.  Michael has critiqued for the Bergen Teen Festival of the Arts and participates in arts-in-education programs throughout NJ. He also has developed a theatre program for adults with Aspergers Syndrome. Michael teaches acting at Fairleigh Dickinson University and also conducts acting classes for youth and adults.

Presented in a workshop setting, the classes will begin with relaxation exercises and getting comfortable on stage. Participants will learn the basics of acting through theatre games, improvisation and short scenes. No memorization will be required. According to Michael Bias, students will be encouraged to “exercise their creative imagination, warm-up their natural acting ability and let their expressiveness soar.” 

Documented studies have established that active participation in the arts provides both physical and psychic benefits for older adults. Jacqueline Guttman of Englewood, founder of Arts for Life NJ, explains that, “with the aging of the population nationally and in Bergen County, a group of vital older adults is emerging who are eager to learn, teach and create.” Guttman’s goal is to connect older adult learners with the finest artist-teachers because, she says, “we can blossom at any age.” Arts for Life classes are designed to inspire people to find a new love or reignite an old passion by dancing, acting, writing or otherwise engaging in active art-making.