KNOXVILLE -- Knoxville-based senior theatre troupe, The Silver Stage Players, will be hosting the Darnell Players from Atlanta, GA. The two senior-centered troupes will perform together for three performances of "The Soundtrack of Our Lives: original biographical stories illustrated with music and pictures.” Performances will take place Friday, May 31 at 1:00 PM at the John T. O'Connor Senior Center on Winona St. and 7:00 PM at the Beck Cultural Center, and also Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 PM at the Broadway Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA). A meet-&-greet reception with light refreshments will follow the performances at O'Connor and BAPA.

The Silver Stagers first met The Darnell Players at the bi-annual Senior Theatre USA Festival in Baltimore in 2008. They met again in 2012 at a New Orleans festival and began a collaboration based on their shared experience in storytelling performance. “The Soundtrack of Our Lives” is the result of months of work that became the first collaboration between the two seniors-only troupes.

"Music is an undeniable influence in our lives. The songs we hear during difficult or joyous moments affect the way we remember things," says Silver Stage playwright-in-residence Jeanette Stevens, "And storytelling helps people connect. We thought this project would be a wonderful way to bring our groups together, and share our stories with the community."

Admission for all performances is free, with $5 suggested donation. All proceeds from Friday evening's performance will go towards the Beck Cultural Center. All other funds raised will go to pay the Darnell Players' travel expenses. For more information or to reserve seating, call 865-325-9877 or email director@wildthymeplayers.org.

The Silver Stage Players, an education/outreach partnership between the Wild Thyme Players and the O'Connor Center, were formed to provide training and performance opportunities tailored specifically to senior artists. They are Tennessee’s only nationally recognized theatre group for senior actors. Members of Silver Stage write, produce and perform their own plays, tackling difficult senior issues with compassion and humor. They teamed up with Wild Thyme on a storytelling project in 2010 that toured venues, churches and senior centers around Knoxville.

The Darnell Players are based out of the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Center in Atlanta, Ga. Their director, Ms. Brenda Porter, works with other local playwrights and actors, leading the group in writing, directing and producing a myriad of entertaining pieces. Members of the group have performed at five national senior theatre festivals. The group currently consists of thirty members.

Published May 12, 2013