I was in Boston this week for a couple days of meetings, including one with a lovely fellow named Alan O’Hare who runs the “Life Story Theatre: Celebrating the Mysteries and Miracles of Life.”
life story theatre
Based in and around the Boston area, Mr. O’Hare draws on the tradition of the Schenachie, Irish storytellers. He has created several plays inspired by the stories of elders living in care facilities, or elders he comes to know and befriend. Blending music, dance, and storytelling, Mr. O’hare presents the plays to inspire others to explore the stories of those around them. We’ll keep in touch and possibly do a joint training in the Boston area…stay tuned.
Alan also told me about a great project he did with people who lived in a senior housing facility, where the divisions between the young people with disabilities and the elders were quite sharp. He brought together people from both groups and found common ground through sharing stories of oppression. He was quite moved by the experience, and found that sharing the performance was inspiring to others as well.
