In her debut play, Santina Cross turns the spotlight on seniors, sharing their wisdom, humour and love through a series of monologues.
Seniors Monologues has been a labour of love for the Jasperite. It was two years ago that she began interviewing seniors and compiling their thoughts, dreams and wishes, with the hopes of one day turning those interviews into a play, and on National Seniors Day—Oct. 1—she will finally see that dream come true, as six local actors bring her words to life.
“It’s not a theatrical play,” explained Cross. “It’s about the words, it’s about the stories.”
The play is broken up into monologues and anecdotes based on Cross’ interviews, as well as seniors facts that she has found through her research.
The structure of the play is inspired by Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues, a book and play based on interviews Ensler conducted with 200 women, delving into the feminine experience. The book includes long form monologues, as well as vagina facts and short anecdotes, to explore the taboo subject.
Using Ensler’s book as a guide, Cross started Seniors Monologues by speaking with seniors from Jasper, as well as her father and friends from Nova Scotia, about growing old.
The play is based on 12 questions she asked seniors—addressing everything from faith to childhood. The answers Cross received and the monologues she has created showcase the wealth of knowledge seniors hold, as well as the reason people should stop lying about their age and just embrace it.
Cross gave a sneak preview of the play on World Storytelling Day last March, performing in front of a group of seniors at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge—the same venue where she will debut the monologues, Oct. 1.
She said she hopes after seeing the play people will start thinking about the seniors in their life and the infinite wisdom they have to share.
“Sometimes I think seniors are left behind and forgotten about,” she said. “I think they get neglected and I really want to put the spotlight on them and I want people to start including seniors in their lives.”
The six actors performing in the Seniors Monologues are Sabrina Charlebois, Peter Lynch, DJ (Klem) Klymchuk, Stephanie Marr, Andy Blakemore and Christine Nadon. Cross will be the narrator.
The community is invited to the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge to see the play, Oct. 1. Tickets are $25, with the proceeds going toward keeping the Jasper Seniors Bus on the road.
The event will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 7 p.m. and the play will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door and at Tekarra Color Lab.
Nicole Veerman
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