Senior Center Best Practices

Managers, Directors and Center Personnel

Senior Center Best Practices

Category
Other

Senior Center/Nutrition Program/Organization Name
Kingston Senior Citizen Center
Area Agency on Aging, Luzerne/Wyoming Counties

Address
680 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston PA 18704

Phone Number
(570) 287-1102

E-Mail
sacornley@aging.luzerne-wyoming.org

Contact Person
Sandy Acornley, Director

Event Name
Senior Center Variety Show

Description/Overview
The members of the Kingston Senior Center, under the direction of the Assistant Director, produced an old-fashioned Variety Show. This show was held at the center on a day that we had a special dinner.

Time and Manpower
The Variety Show was a huge commitment of time. Plans for the show began months ahead of time, recruiting members interested in participating, evaluating their talent and deciding what they would perform.

Manpower was needed to organize the "players," gather appropriate music, costumes, props, etc.

The Variety Show only involved one paid staff, the assistant director. Members of the center who volunteered to be in the show provided input and assistance with all areas of the show.

Rehearsals were held at least once a week for the first few months and then more frequently as the date of the show got closer.

Marketing
The Variety Show was marketed by verbal announcements, fliers and press releases. Word of mouth and personal invitations by the members also promoted the event.

Audience Served
The target audience of the event was primarily the members of the senior center. The target group was effectively served. In addition to the center members, many guests attended. It attracted many individuals from the community who came and enjoyed the show.

Partnerships Utilized
Because all the participants were affiliated with the center, we did not partner with anyone for this event.

Budget/Costs
Costs were very minimal. Participants provided much of their own music, props, etc. for their performance.

Impact On Center
The Variety Show had a far-reaching impact on the Senior Center. The cast worked together very well and enjoyed the relationships formed during the planning and rehearsals for the show. They spent months working together to produce a high-quality show.

The members and guests thoroughly enjoyed the performance. They were very appreciative and recognized the hard work that went into the planning and production of the show. It was such an enjoyable afternoon that people talked about it for weeks.

One member of the center enjoyed it so much she donated money so we were able to provide the cast with a party.

Good Tips/Other
Learning from our first experience we realized that we need to coordinate the acts more effectively. Also new ideas were suggested for backdrops and props.

Because of the nature of the show, all types of talent were able to be included. It was not limited to musical numbers, but also included comedy skits and routines. This type of event then provides for many individuals to be involved.

We have also decided to either sell tickets or ask for donations the day of the show. Also we will have a silent auction available for a period of maybe two weeks before the show and then draw the winners the afternoon of the show during intermission.