2022-2023 SHOWCASES

SUMMER 2023: Wednesday, JUNE 28 at 7:30 pm and Friday, JUNE 30 at 2:00 pm

FALL 2023: Wednesday, OCTOBER 18 at 7:30 pm and Friday, OCTOBER 20 at 2:00 pm 

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 CLOSED FOR FALL 2023 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.

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 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.

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.