OnStage Seniors

Originally founded in 2007, Onstage Seniors officially became a part of McCarter Theatre Center in 2014. Like many theatre groups, our footlights went dim during the pandemic. As we emerged, we came under the sponsorship of the Center for Modern Aging of Princeton (CMAP), joining their host of programs designed to educate and engage the community.

Our impactful program creates documentary theater performances that explore the stories of our local community. Our ensemble members — all over fifty-five — perform in theaters, libraries, schools, and senior centers generating delight, insight, and affirmation about senior memories and experiences.

Each season features stories performed by actors, based on real-life interviews. Our current collection of stories is titled GIFTS: Give and Take, and it is available for performances until January 2025, Give and Take includes both humorous and moving accounts of the impact of gifts–those asked for, unasked, given, and received– and the unexpected ripples of consequences, memories, and connection.

Our 2025-26 season’s show is titled HOW DID I GET HERE? Performances begin in the Spring of 2025.

VIDEO CLIPS

Drama enthusiasts, come together!

At different times, CMAP will bring in faculty instructors and authors to teach different classes on topics in literature, as well as offering writing courses and workshops. Please see below for some examples of courses we have offered in the past.

These video clips will give you a peek at what our shows are like.

Here is an older clip from when we were under the sponsorship of McCarter Theatre:

OUR PROCESS

We create original documentary scripts gathered from interviews ensemble members conduct with people in their communities.

Each year, the ensemble chooses a different theme and holds story circles where people share stories related to that theme. These interviews are recorded, transcribed, and shaped into monologues and scenes about everything from dating over age 65, to climbing to the top of a building in Greece, to having an epiphany in the grocery store, to making tough end-of-life decisions.

We rehearse and perform our productions under the direction of New Jersey teacher and playwright David Lee White. Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion about the issues that are raised in the scripts. Our ensemble’s year is divided into acting classes, script creation, and rehearsing our new projects.

The OnStage theater experience is one that comes full circle. One voice leads another to speak, with new stories emerge. After the show, the audience shares stories that matter to them—and some end up in next year’s show!

UPCOMING SHOWS

Lights. Camera. Action.

You are welcome to come see our 2024-2025 show "GiveI And Take" at any of the following venues:

UPCOMING SHOWS

"Give And Take"

Wednesday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m.
THE JEWISH CENTER
435 Nassau St.
Princeton, NJ 08540

"How Did I Get Here?"

Our upcoming 2025–2026 season is titled "How Did I Get Here?" Public shows will begin in the Spring of 2025. Please check back here for times and dates in April. We hope to see you at our future shows!