Spring Surprises

Surprise! We’re here and smiling in the sun. Yes, it feels like it’s been months since the bright light last shone on us, but now we are up and reaching for more. That’s NextStage Productions and not just the flowers. We have so much to tell you.

First, we invite you to see what our players have been up to. Come to the Reader’s Theater performance at Mid County Senior on April 23 at 2pm. You won’t want to miss all of the high jinks and laughter. Then head over to St. Andrew Presbyterian on May 7 for the Open Mic with new acts and NSP classics to entertain. This is such a fun afternoon under the redwoods in the church courtyard and a benefit for Veteran Village.

Be on the lookout for an article on our Parkinsons Taiko class performance in the SC Sentinel in the coming weeks.

And did I tell you about our new arrivals to the board? In the next communications we will be introducing our new Secretary and Treasurer. And we are actively looking for more directors for exciting shows and projects. Surprise! Is that you?

We welcome all of you to shake off the dust and burst into the NSP sunlight.

- Kathryn Adkins

Spotlight on Risa Lower

When I was approached by NextStage to be in the "Spotlight", I wondered what I would say and how my experiences could make an impact. And then I realized that I am an example of how successful NextStage is in both meeting its mission of enhancing and promoting creative aging, but also in providing community, opportunity and an avenue to fight isolation, develop confidence and provide a platform in which the inner child can reign free.

I am a transposed East Coaster, raised with theatre and music. I came from a family of singers. Sadly, that gene passed me by - but I immersed myself in my love of the theatre and after retiring from my initial career of raising two children and spending 31 years at a national company, where I grew from secretary to President, I began my own next stage, starting a talent agency with an actress friend and worked for the New Jersey Theatre Alliance representing 35 NJ regional theatres.

So when I moved to Santa Cruz, one of the first things I did was look for volunteer opportunities to be involved in something associated with theatre and the arts. I found an ad in one of the local papers to volunteer for a show called Bingo being presented by a group called NextStage Productions and the rest was history.

I met two dynamos and leaders of NextStage, Lynn Knudsen and Carole English, who encouraged my development and participation. 

I said earlier that I was a quintessential example of how NextStage achieved its mission.

How? They gave me a voice, literally. Having lip-synced my entire life because I felt I couldn't sing, they taught me that anyone can sing and gave me the confidence to feel comfortable in the chorus and even soloing in some musical reviews.

I also got involved with classes, directing and Readers Theater. Most importantly, I let my creative energies flow, which gave me the ability to find an area, Health and Wellness, where I could let me passion for helping the elderly, those with memory deficits, and people living with Parkinson's develop opportunities for improving not only their health, but quality of life.

I never expected or could have predicted any of this when I moved to Santa Cruz. NextStage showed me that age truly is a number, and creative aging is real and available to all.

To those who are not aware of the opportunities that NextStage Productions can provide, I encourage you to find out how you can grow in this community of creativity, enrichment and friendship.

- Risa Lower

Rainbows and Renewal

I recently returned from a trip to Arizona and driving through the central valley was a feast for the eyes and soul. The coastal mountain range was dusted with snow and the southern snowcapped peaks met us on the East.

For me however, it was the return trip through the rain that sent my spirit soaring. Why? As we left I-5 and turned West the rain stopped and there it was, the most intense multi-colored rainbow set against the green hills, valleys and mountain peaks. This was the pot-of-gold. Renewal after the storms.

NextStage Productions is at those cross-roads. We are looking for renewal within our leadership. You may be the rainbow that leads us down the road of continued growth.

Please consider joining the NSP board of directors and/or nominating a member of the community with a willingness to serve and with business or organizational capabilities. Send your recommendations and contact information to info@nextstagesantacruz.org. Let’s do this!!

- Kathryn Adkins

All You Need Is Love

February 2023 President’s Message

“All you need is love, da da da da, da”, the Beatles sang in the 1960’s and we still believe it. Valentine hearts and flowers are all wonderful expressions of love and caring.

I like the word “connection” when I think of “love”. Scientists have discovered that longevity and happiness is directly linked to having many social connections.

NEXTSTAGE IS YOUR OUTLET FOR NEW DIRECTIONS AND NEW CONNECTIONS. Come out and discover active, fun-loving folks. Make the NSP calendar of up-coming events your go-to list for things to do.

Watch for Reader’s Theater, Improvisation, Open Mic and most importantly, the February 25 Benefit for the Parkinson’s program. You won’t want to miss this afternoon of musical performances by many of our favorite NSP and local performers. And donations go to a great cause, connecting with our active neighbors who live with Parkinson’s. Now that’s love, da, da, da, da, da.

- Kathryn Adkins

Happy New Year!

January 2023 President's Message

Happy New Year! So far 2023 has been wet, windy and feeling much like the Covid shut-down. Blah!

So what do we do at NextStage to counteract these feelings of gloom? We sing. We dance. We play. We create opportunities to get involved in joyful experiences. And boy, do we have a good one coming up.

InterAct Improvisation with Pat Timberg is going to be the daring, new development for NSP. Sign up for four February training workshops and then help launch a fun-packed traveling improvisational show with the NSP InterAct Troubadours. This group will go from location to location and engage audiences in an exciting interactive show focused on all issues “senior”.  Let’s laugh about the foibles of getting older in a youth focused society. My brain has already been running dialogs poking fun at topics like pronoun usage in conversation and “where’s my ……….” and “I Can Fix It”. What’s on your list?

Everyone is invited to participate: improvisers, actors, singers, instrumentalists, writers etc. In improvisation there are no limits.

Go to www.nextstagesantacruz.org to sign up. See you there!

- Kathryn Adkins