LEGACY STORIES: Sharing Event Concludes Senior Theatre Project

After six months of workshops with various senior groups we are excited to host a casual public presentation LEGACY STORIES: Sharing Event on March 11. The event concludes our Our Stories, Ourselves project, which aims to encourage elders and seniors to reflect on important events in their lives, and to find ways of sharing their memories and wisdom.
 
Between September 2016 and January 2017 I lead 34 Legacy Stories from the Elder Years workshops with 13 different senior groups around the city, helping them share their stories and thoughts. The workshops had an added benefit of encouraging community amongst seniors who are feeling the strain of their isolation.
 
In late January we hosted personal historian Faye Ferguson who gave a public talk about legacy writing, which over 60 people attended. This talk helped contextualize various ways end of life reflections can be shared including through legacy letters. The intent of legacy letters is to impart wisdom, share a story, or provide a blessing to future generations. “At the core of legacy letter writing,” Said Ferguson, “is the feeling of gratitude.” With this in mind, for those seniors particularly interested in presenting their stories to the public, I've been facilitating more workshops throughout February to help develop their stories either in writing, orally, or digitally on film.
 
The participants and I are looking forward to sharing stories and thoughts that came out of the workshops. There are so many benefits to reflecting on life’s journey, and on sharing these reflections with others. The afternoon will be casual with plenty of opportunities for discussion between participants and audience members.
 
LEGACY STORIES: Sharing Event will take place on Saturday March 11 at 2:00pm in the Old Fire Hall (1105 Front Street). Admission is free, and includes refreshments.
 
I hope you can make it out!