Senior’s spect-Act-ular Update June

        A, "spect-Act-ular,” beginning to a wonderful new project for seniors. After a month of recruiting, and a much appreciated donated space from Park Place Senior’s Suites, we have finally had our first rehearsal.

       Fourteen of our twenty new members were in attendance and shared their history and their ideas to get the creative ideas flowing. Everyone was very keen and got along very well. We look forward to next week and all the weeks to follow.  The show is fun and engaging and the members sure know how to share a laugh. The first two months will be training and then, we start putting the show together over the summer ready to tour in the fall.

No need to worry if you can’t make it to every practice or show; we all have lives and this is meant to be fun. It is never too late to join, (no experience needed to volunteer), or to book a show, (no charge, but a free-will donation towards transportation and cast shirts will be appreciated if you are inclined).

Stay tuned for a video of our progress for you to see what we have been up to!

Don’t hesitate to contact the Senior’s spect-act-ular project coordinator Natalie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for more information for how to participate or get involved. 

What is the spect-act-ular?

Unique Twist to Senior Theatre Group

HelpAge Canada has started an exciting new initiative this year called Seniors Spect-Act-ular. We have received funding through a New Horizons for Seniors grant and the Community Foundation of Ottawa to start this new senior-to-senior participatory theatre troupe that will tour the Ottawa region this Fall.

The purpose of this initiative is to use the performing arts to share stories and laughter leading to increased awareness of and normalization of the aging process and how to access community resources. We’ve hired a professional actor, director, and facilitator, Natalie Fraser-Purdy, for a one year contract to get this project off the ground. So far, she has a diverse base troupe of 12 senior volunteers to get the project started. They will be training once a week during the months of May and June and putting the show together over the summer. It is never to late to join if you are interested or know someone who might be. This will be an ongoing community theatre group. We would love lots of participants so that if someone is busy it is ok because there is always someone else to call for a show. We only need six participants to go out to perform and we have people booking and showing interest already. No experience needed, so come on out and get involved or book a show for your group this Fall. 

Please check again in the near future to learn more about this exciting program!