On Wednesday, Nov. 19, residents at St. Andrews Village will perform the world premiere of "As the Village Churns" at the St. Andrews Village Inn. The original play was conceived, written, and designed by seven performers who participated in the eight-week program led by Storytree Theatre Teaching Artist, Teralyn Reiter and supported by Resident Services Coordinator, Sarah Hackler.  

Throughout the program, students participated in games and activities focused on listening, communicating, and playing off each other’s imaginations. The original script evolved out of a series of discussions and improvised scenes based on the residents’ experiences and stories at St. Andrews.

The idea for the class came from resident Sue Noble, who explained that the idea came out of conversations about all the funny and interesting things that happen at St. Andrews. “We thought it would be fun to create a skit about life at St. Andrews and we kept coming up with ideas, some true, some exaggerated, and some completely made up. Then we needed someone to help us put it together.”

That’s when Sarah reached out to Teralyn Reiter, founder and executive director of Storytree Theatre.  “I was thrilled for the opportunity to work with the residents at St. Andrews,” said Reiter. “I tend to work with school aged students in the community, but the goal is to empower everyone to share their perspectives through theatre, and this opportunity opens the doors to new voices.”

The program includes residents with some theatrical experience, but most are choosing to participate because it’s completely out of their comfort zone. Some joined as a way to connect with the residents.

Leigh Sherrill, whose husband Kit played a variety of leading roles at Boothbay Playhouse, explained “I’m a bit of newbie around here and I thought it would be a fun way to get to know each other; plus it sounded entertaining and different and at my age I have little to lose. It’s been a positive experience for everyone involved."

“Working with Teralyn and Storytree Theatre opened up a whole new world of creative expression for our residents,” said Sarah Hackler. “They’ve proven that it’s never too late to try something new—and have a blast doing it!” 

"As the Village Churns" takes inspiration from the soap operas of the 1990s while emulating the style of a 1940s' radio play rounded out with commercials for imagined products and services. It tells the story of a potential new resident joining the colorful personalities of St. Andrews.

The actors will be performing before a live “studio audience” with accompanying sound effects and props. Although the performance is not open to the public, the students have invited friends and family to join them.

For more information about St. Andrews Village, contact Sarah at sarah.hackler@mainehealth.org. Storytree Theatre is a 501c3 that strives to make original theatre experiences and education accessible to all. To learn more visit, storytreetheatre.org or email Teralyn at teralyn@storytreetheatre.org.