Attack Theatre's senior programs were recognized in 2002 as one of five statewide finalists for the Governor's Silver/Gold Awards for Innovative Programming for Seniors in Pennsylvania. In honor of their work on this project, they received a Citation/Proclamation from the PA House of Representatives (Representative Joseph Preston Jr.) for improving the lives of older Western Pennsylvanians.

Attack Theatre leads a group of seniors through workshops, which enhance physical awareness, creative potential, and aesthetic understanding. These workshops are inspired by the Lincoln Center Institute's aesthetic education philosophy, which promotes the active viewing of art. Workshops physically and creatively challenge the participants with activities that are focused around a work of art and seek to deepen the viewer's understanding of that artwork. This process focuses the viewer and helps to avoid the emotional response "I don't get it. I don't like it." This artwork will be chosen from the repertory being offered for Attack Theatre's performances.

The Informal Performance

Attack Theatre brings their art to the senior centers for an opportunity to view these artists in an intimate and comfortable setting. The artists perform work from their repertory and talk to the seniors about their dances, their career, their lives and this project. The performances allow the seniors to interact with the performers through informal discussions and a question/answer session. This 20 - 30 minute informal performance is tailor-made for smaller spaces and focuses on different forms of inspiration when creating dance.

The Successes

Quotes from past participants (Ages 61 - 89)

"[Attack Theatre] did a splendid job...they made the ideas come to life."

"It made me feel like a different person when I left the workshop."

"I learned that being yourself by being creative brings out the best in me...I know I can do it."

"I enjoyed the warmth of Michele and Peter and the fun of participation."