CREATIVE AGING CLASSES
The Wallis offers courses for older adults designed to stimulate creativity, connect to others, and tell your personal stories. Courses are held either in-person at The Wallis or virtually through the ZOOM platform. Class sessions start several times per year and sell out quickly!
Staged Stories (1, 2) and Beyond Staged Stories
Instructor: Debra PasqueretteDo you have a story to tell? Staged Stories jumpstarts your creativity and invites you to start writing YOUR story. Through a series of short assignments students explore various themes and excavate memories and life events, learning the power and importance of finding and sharing your voice. The class culminates with a public sharing of a selected piece at The Wallis.
Staged Stories 1
Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. April 3 - May 22, 2024Staged Stories 1 is open to all students. This is an in-person course offered for people ages 55+.
Cost: $125Staged Stories 2 (Prerequisite)
Thursdays 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. April 4 - May 23, 2024Staged Stories 2 is open to students who have completed Staged Stories 1. This is an in-person course offered for people ages 55+.
Cost: $125Beyond Staged Stories (Prerequisite)
Tuesdays 12:30 – 2:30 P.M. April 2 - May 21, 2024Wednesdays 10 - 12 P.M. April 3 - May 22, 2024
Thursdays 10 - 12 P.M. April 4 - May 23, 2024
Beyond Staged Stories is open to students who have completed Staged Stories 1 and 2. This is an in-person course offered for people ages 55+.
Cost: $125
Instructor: Debra Pasquerette
Debra Pasquerette is the Director of Creative Aging Programs at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. She has been with The Wallis since 2014 and was previously Manager of Community Engagement. Debra has worked in theater and arts management for over 30 years, including serving as the Director of Education at The Geffen Playhouse for 12 years. Debra is a writer, director, and mixed media artist. She studied Performance Studies at Arizona State University and New York University.
Dramatic Writing: Crafting a Monologue
Instructor: Dan OliverioWednesdays 12:30 – 2:30 P.M. April 3 - May 22, 2024
So often in life, we leave things unsaid. Sometimes we wish we’d spoken up, or sometimes we wish someone else could have just understood us. In this 8-week introduction to dramatic writing, you’ll create and polish a dramatic or comedic monologue that gives voice to what a character is thinking or feeling at an important moment in their life. That character might be fictional, or real, or it might even be you… whatever you choose to focus on. You’ll also have the option of performing the monologue yourself, or hearing your words performed by someone else.
Cost: $125
Instructor: Dan Oliverio
Dan Oliverio has written books, plays, translations, and articles, as well as directed and produced plays in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Having taught for over 30 years, he’s led courses in theater history at American Jewish University and writing at the University of Southern California. His seminars about sexuality and relationships eventually led to his award-winning book, The Round World: Life at the Intersection of Love, Sex, and Fat. He is currently one of the co-hosts of the Big Fat Gay Podcast. Dan earned his bachelor’s from Cornell University and received an MFA in Stage Directing from the University of Texas at Austin
Scripting
Instructor: Will NedvedHave you ever wanted to write a play, TV pilot, or screenplay but didn’t know where to start? Or have you begun a script you haven't been able to finish? SCRIPTING will teach you the fundamentals of story building so that you can make it to “Fade Out. The End.” This popular script writing workshop, open to any type of script project or genre, focuses on dramatic structure: the sequencing of character-driven scenes for maximum emotional effect. Come to class with some ideas, an open mind, and the script writer’s most essential tool: index cards.
Scripting 1
Tuesdays 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. April 2 - May 21, 2024SCRIPTING I: IDEA TO OUTLINE
Available to writers new to this course, as well as returning writers. There is no pre-requisite for enrollment.
This is a remote course offered online for people ages 55+.
Scripting 2
Wednesdays 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. April 3 - May 22, 2024SCRIPTING II: OUTLINE TO DRAFT
• Available to returning writers who have established the major beats of all their storylines and are developing their outlines. To enroll, please send a 500-word synopsis of your project to williamnedved@gmail.com
This is a remote course offered online for people ages 55+.
Scripting 3
Wednesdays 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. April 3 - May 22, 2024SCRIPTING III: WRITING IS REWRITING
Available to returning writers who have completed their outlines and are now embarking on the first or revised drafts of their projects. Writers who have taken other professional writing courses and have a completed draft may also apply. To enroll, please send a draft of your project to williamnedved@gmail.com.
Instructor: William Nedved
William Nedved is a writer and writing teacher living in Los Angeles. He is the co-founder of the gift theatre company of Chicago, a 21-year-old equity ensemble. Recent collaborations include the original musical wanderlust at Cal-State Fullerton; the audio play the ravages with theatre of note; medusa: the musical with deaf west theatre at the Getty villa; and the opera the passion of McQueen at Boston court Pasadena. He frequently adapts international films and television series into English for Netflix. He studied dramatic writing at the university of Iowa, the university of new South Wales, and the university of southern California. He is also the former associate director of communication for the Wallis.
Comprehending Life Through Poetry
Wednesdays 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. April 3 - May 22, 2024This course will encourage students to consider Poetry as a philosophical and practical tool for life. While 'penning' Poetry may be an outcome, it is not mandatory to take the class. Emphasis will be placed on the process and effect of each selected poem. The class will embody an appreciation of Poetry as a means of self-expression. This combination of poetry, creativity and philosophy will offer students instant community, focused on self-expression through their response to, and through, poetry.
Cost: $125Instructor: Gubnit Ní Dhúinn
Gubnit Ní Dhúinn, an Irish Poet, holds respective degrees from Trinity College, Dublin, and Oxford University, England. She enjoys over a decade's worth of both creative and academic experience lecturing at Ivy league Institutions. A multi-linguist, words are her passion, and the combination of Poetry and Philosophy to deepen our understanding of life a primary objective.
Afro Cuban Dance with BODYTRAFFIC
Fridays 9:30 – 10:30 A.M. April 12,19 & May 3, 10Join BODYTRAFFIC company dancer Joan Rodriguez in a movement workshop series connecting storytelling and dance. In these classes, you will learn movement fundamentals of Latin and Afro-Cuban dance styles. No dance experience required. For ages 55+.
Cost: $100
Instructor: Joan Rodriguez
Joan Rodriguez was born in La Habana, Cuba where he graduated from the Escuela Nacional de Arte with the “Best Graduate of the Year” award. His professional career began with DanzAbierta, and he went on to join Malpaso Dance Company. He became a political refugee in 2017 and relocated to Arizona, where he focused on creating, teaching, and producing multimedia projects. He has also served as a Guest Artist in Residency for universities and arts centers throughout the U.S. and has received awards in several dance competitions. In 2019, he joined Parsons Dance and choreographed an original work for the company as part of the 2019 GenerationNow fellowship program. Throughout 2020 and 2021, Joan has focused on freelancing in dance, teaching and videography. Joan has also showcased his own collaborative works at the Blacktinx Dance Festival, the Solo/Duo Dance Festival, and at NYC art galleries as part of mixed media performances. He has taught guest classes at The Juilliard School, New York University, Gibney Dance, Yale University, Hunter College, Akron University, and RWU. He was recently commissioned as a choreographer by Connecticut Ballet for their “Ballet Under the Stars” 2021 summer program.
Ballet Brain Circuit
Thursdays 11:00 – 12:00 P.M. April 4 - May 16, 2024Physical and mental fitness should be connected. It’s one of the smartest things you can do to ensure you are healthy and lucid in your later years. Ballet Brain Circuit ® is comprised of conditioning and stretch exercises based on ballet training principles. The class is designed to improve cognitive function while increasing muscular endurance, cardiovascular health, balance and coordination. It decreases chronic stress and promotes an uplifting mood. No experience with ballet needed, all are welcome.
Cost: $110
Instructor: Ingrid Graham
Ingrid is a classically trained dancer, choreographer and educator. Her performance and choreography affiliations include the Edinburgh Festival, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Brooklyn Academy of Music and the California African American Museum. As a guest artist she performed at Stephen Sondheim’s Gala Benefit in NYC.
Bubbling Spring Qigong
Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. April 9 - May 28, 2024Qigong (pronounced chi-gong) is an ancient Chinese practice of movement, breath, health, and meditation. Qigong stimulates energy and nourishes creativity. Letting go of imbalances and negative emotions allows you to access your intuition and find the source of your artistic inspiration. Qigong is gentle and effective for all ages, all body types, and all abilities. Similar to tai chi, qigong is easy to learn, enjoyable to do, and profound in its benefits. Each eight-week session culminates in a creative group presentation of qigong techniques.
Cost: $125
Instructor: Carol Merrill-Mirsky
Is a musician, singer, teacher, and filmmaker with a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology. She has practiced qigong for more than 40 years. She trained in classical music, went on the road as a folk singer, and reinvented herself as a cabaret singer later in life. She worked for 25 years as historian of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and curator of the Hollywood Bowl Museum. After retiring from the Philharmonic, she made a documentary film, Sigrid, that addresses creative aging. Currently, she is a consultant at the Colburn School in Los Angeles and maintains a private studio teaching performance skills for singers.
Act 3 All Levels
Instructor: Cindy TrostThursdays 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. April 4 - May 16, 2024
This course takes the exploration of the Acting R.O.P.E.S. to new heights. Actors will delve into characterizations, complex relationships, and challenging scenarios throughout this eight-week program. They will continue to explore the nuance of behavior using the foundational techniques of Sandford Meisner, which leads an actor to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. The culmination of this journey will be a showcase of final scenes scenes on May 17th.
Prerequisite: Consultation with instructor
Cost: $125
Instructor: Cindy Rucker Trost
Cindy Rucker Trost is the Creative Director of the Meisner Institute, which sponsors acting programs worldwide. She is a producer, director, actor, and acting teacher with 35 years of experience in Radio, Television, Film, and Live Events. Cindy began her study of the Meisner Technique in 1995 at Playhouse West and began teaching at Playhouse West in 2012. While teaching at Playhouse West, she served as assistant director and cast member of Welcome Home Soldier, one of the longest-running non-musical productions in American Theater. In addition to acting, Cindy is also a writer and poet. “The Pandemic Rat Race,” written in response to a Staged Stories class prompt, was published in the online literary magazine Drunk Monkeys (June 2021-Vol.6, No.6). She is a staunch supporter of education programs in Beverly Hills and is a past president of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation. Cindy serves on the Friends of Greystone Board of Directors and is the Friends of the Beverly Hills Public Library Board Secretary.
Hamlet
Instructor: Jake BroderTuesdays 10:00 – 12:00 P.M. April 2 - May 21, 2024
Do you want to enjoy Shakespeare and really comprehend what’s going on in the play? Want to get to a place where you might feel comfortable trying out a few lines, or a scene? Come dive into a lively discussion about Hamlet and dig into the context, history, meaning, characters, dramatic structure and poetry, so that you can enjoy Shakespeare how it was intended to be enjoyed… with your mouth. No pressure to perform, but an opportunity to dig in and have fun. You’ll come out of this class with a good understanding of Hamlet and know why Shakespeare is still relevant 500 years later!
Cost: $125
Instructor: Jake Broder
Jake Broder lives in Los Angeles with his wife Lucy and children Ella & Louis. He is currently an Atlantic Fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute (at UCSF and Trinity College, Dublin), He was the Hellman Visiting Artist in 2019, which resulted in the script for his play UnRavelled unravelledplay.com. His play Our American Hamlet premiered at the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, and was nominated for best new play, IRNE (Boston). His musical, Miravel, won the LADCC for best score, composed by Jake. He co-wrote and originated the role of Louis in Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara, winning Jake Ovation, LADCC, Garland and LA Weekly awards for Best Actor and Best Musical the Geffen Playhouse, directed by Oscar-winner, Taylor Hackford, and since toured Chicago and SoCal. As an actor, Jake recently shot The Patient, with Steve Carrell, was on The Morning Show on Apple TV+. and has a recurring role on HBO’s Silicon Valley He received his BA from Tufts University and trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. www.jakebroder.com
ENROLL INTO CLASSES
If you are not yet a registered Creative Aging student, click HERE to register and a Wallis staff member will contact you.
If you are already a registered Creative Aging student please email Charleen Molina,CMOLINA@THEWALLIS.ORG with the name of your desired course, or call (310) 295-1918
TESTIMONIALS
