YAH Schedule

2023-2024 SHOWCASES


SUMMER 2024 Wednesday, JUNE 29 at 7:30 pm and Friday, JUNE 21 at 2:00 pm

FALL 2024: Yet to be announced 

Donations at the door.

(No reservations taken) 

YOUNG AT HEARTLAND TOURING – The Senior Acting Troupe is out in your community touring retirement and nursing homes with their show, in the Summer and Fall.

ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR SPRING 2024 SESSION. Classes for seniors age 55 or better take place in the spring and fall.  Registration fee is $50 per semester.  Call 309 452 5647 for more information.

Registration Open: “Young at Heartland” Acting Program for Seniors

Enrollment open until March 15

Class Sessions begin April 1, 2024

Young at Heartland’s acting workshop sessions will begin at 4 PM on Monday, April 1 2024. Advance registration is required.  Class sessions will meet every Monday from April 1 through May 20.  Young at Heartland strives to build an ensemble of seniors who share the values of continuing education, creative self-expression, and community outreach.  We aim to find appropriate pathways to showcase performers’ gifts in a fun, stress-free atmosphere.

Ensemble members will collaborate with the instructors in choosing appropriate material to be memorized or performed as a reading at Heartland Theatre Showcases and “on-the-road” at various local senior living facilities.

Young at Heartland “on the road” at Hopedale

The eight 120-minute acting workshop sessions, for persons 55 and over are held at Heartland Theatre Company and taught by Sandra Zielinski and assisted by Rich Tinaglia.  Sandra Zielinski is a Professor Emerita from the School of Theatre and Dance at ISU.  Sandra has directed over 15 shows at Heartland Theatre.  Rich Tinaglia has extensive theatre experience as an actor and director.

About our “Young at Heartland” Acting Program for Seniors

Spring and Fall Class Sessions 

Young at Heartland’s spring and fall senior acting workshop normally begins the first Monday in April and the first Monday in August.. Class sessions meet every Monday from 4-6 pm for eight sessions and then go out into the community to perform.  Sessions are dedicated to the study of the craft of acting, culminating in performances at senior activity centers in the area. Ensemble members collaborate with the instructor in choosing appropriate material to be memorized or performed as a reading.

Eight 120-minute acting workshop sessions, for persons 55 and over, are held at Heartland Theatre Company and taught by Sandra Zielinski and assisted by Terri Whisenhunt.  Sandra Zielinski is a Professor Emerita from the School of Theatre and Dance at ISU.  Sandra has directed over 15 shows at Heartland Theatre. Terri Whisenhunt holds B. S. in Acting from Illinois State University. Currently, she is conducting acting workshops at Heartland Community College.

Young at Heartland strives to build an ensemble of seniors who share the values of continuing education, creative self-expression, and community outreach.  It is designed to accommodate and support performers’ comfort levels with memorization. We aim to find appropriate pathways to showcase performers’ gifts in a fun, stress-free atmosphere.

Those interested  in the next session are asked to call YAH Program Director Ann White at (309) 452-5647 or email [email protected].

Location of workshop: 1110 Douglas St., Normal, Illinois in the Community Activity Center

Workshop, called “Young at Heart-land” is a program of HEARTLAND THEATRE COMPANY.

This program has been supported in part by a grant from Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the McLean County Arts Center.

Book Now