A Life Of The Aging Process Essay - 2810 Words

As we grow older, reflecting on one’s life becomes a natural part of the aging process. This paper is a life review taken from my grandfather, Mr. D.H., who was born in the 1940’s, he is currently 75 years old. He has a birthday coming up soon in November where he will be 76 years old. He currently lives by himself in an apartment in a retirement community designed for older able adults, where this interview took place. Overall for his age, his health is stable only suffering from Type I diabetes and a thyroid condition (didn’t specify), that he was diagnosed with in his late 50s that didn’t allow him to work anymore. Despite his current disorders, he’s still able to do for himself, and continues to smoke cigarettes plus indulge in a beer or two a day. Childhood Mr. D. H. has a fascinating memory about his childhood, although he doesn’t remember his time as a toddler. One of the very first statements he made to me about his childhood was, â€Å"When I grew up, life as a child was a whole lot different than it is now† (D.H., personal communication, September 26, 2016). He was born in Troy, Ohio but the majority of his family stayed in Cleveland, including his grandmother, his aunt and uncle. Mr. H. began to reminiscence about a trip my uncle had taken him on, a couple years ago, â€Å"My son took me back to Troy and we found the house I use to live in. It looked so big when I was a kid, running down the big hills and the yard and stuff, but when I went there wasn’t no big hillShow MoreRelatedIn Living Organisms, There Is A Common Process That Occurs,1748 Words   |  7 PagesIn living organisms, there is a common process that occurs, that is known as aging. Aging is process that begins the day that we are born and o nly ends on the day that die (Woodrow, 2002). It involves gradual physical and psychological changes to the human body and mind, in addition to societal changes. Throughout one’s lifespan, adaptation plays a pivotal role in aging, as many are challenged with limitations throughout. In society today, it is common to hear people say that they want to ageRead MoreEssay about Growing Old1073 Words   |  5 Pageswill go through the aging process. However, how well each endures that process depends on the individual. After my Visit at English Oaks Convalescent Home, a skilled nursing facility for adults’ age 55 and older, I found this to be true. During my visit, I conversed with many â€Å"residents† whom were alert and oriented and very aware of the aging process. We conversed about the process of aging and the factors that appear to account for a longer life. We talked about adjusting to aging as well as the positivesRead MoreEssay on Development and Aging66 8 Words   |  3 Pagesthat are related to development and aging. First, I will talk about how getting older is not a time to sit out, and think life is over. Second, I will define primary and secondary aging. Third, I will talk about how a good healthy diet can help with many diseases in relation to development and old age. Lastly, I will talk about how technology will help many individuals to live a long and health life. Many times when people think of getting older and the aging process they tend to think of turning grayRead MoreReflection Paper On Aging1710 Words   |  7 Pagesthe embodied aging and experience by creating a storyline based on the character, Billy, shared the good news of him finally proposing to his much younger girlfriend with his dearest friends and wanted them to be supportive in his decision-making. All four friends decided to escape from their daily lives a couple of days in order to throw a bachelor party together for Billy in Las Vegas (Last Vegas, 2013). They have been best friends since childhood, yet have experienced a different aging journey (LastRead MoreSlowing the Biological Clock Essays1068 Words   |  5 Pagesas the person ages. There are several contributing factors to speeding up the aging process such as, stress, vitamin and mineral deficiency, or excessive food intakes. Reducing and or limiting these factors can play a major role in how the body continues to age. As an individual age his or her body is more susceptible to natural ways of slowing the biological clock rather than non-natural ways of change. The aging process is something that is inevitable, but people of today’s time tend to make an effortRead MoreThe Signs Of Aging And Aging858 Words   |  4 PagesWhen a person thinks of aging, they can think of many things, from a baby getting taller, to an older person growing gray hair. A person’s body changes constantly throughout the span of their life. There is no helping it. While most people think of a person getting older as a person getting wrinkles, losing hair, and becoming more fragile, there are actually many other affects than just those. There are visible effects, and effects that are not visible by just looking at someone. In this paper, bothRead MoreAging And The Aging Process1669 Words   |  7 Pages Aging, it’s something that as a species of life on this planet we are predisposed to and its r esults are an inevitable factor that effects our bodies in several ways, from cataracts development to the progression of memory issues from such diseases as Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s. The concepts of aging are broken down into two theories widely accepted by several varying fields of studies such as gerontology, the study of the aging process, and oncology, the study of cancer and tumor development.Read MoreExplain Factors Influencing Ageing, and Explain Ways in Which Health and Social Care Workers Support the Independence and Wellbeing of Older People.980 Words   |  4 Pagescould lead Andy to feel lonely and not wanted in society itself. Cumming and Henry argued that this was a consequence of people learning their limitations with age and making way for new generations of people to fill their roles. However, the study of aging and society, disengagement theory is controversial, and many people do not agree with it. Critics point out that often this disengagement is enforced, rather than voluntary; if the older adult needed to move to a care home, for example, they needsRead MoreA Silver Fox868 Words   |  4 PagesCelebrations occur at various time points throughout the life course. With a solid group of friends to share those moments with, Billy invites his childhood friends to share the newest milestone in his life – his marriage. As the four men embark on a trip to remember, they learn the importance of embracing their age, rather than evade the inevitable by living up to the stigmas perpetuated by societal ignorance. Virility, affluence, and power, are components of the formula that represents Hollywood’sRead MoreIdentity And Self Concept Is Dependent Upon Social Interactions And Experiences Essay836 Words   |  4 Pagessociety’s shared commonality of the aging process, each maturing experience and progression of identity is individualized. Therefore, this ideology can be explained by the concept of life course. Aging is a reality many people dislike to face. The notion of becoming older frightens many; nevertheless it is inevitable biological existence. While the aging process is physical force incapable of being prevented, aging is a social construction. Due to an individual’s life history and experiences throughout

Poetry Essay - 960 Words

The Story of an Indian Woman To those who lack the real understanding of poetry, it is seen no differently as any other literary composition; a text, written and understood by a certain group of people. However to those who appreciate, and possess even the slightest bit of understanding that the poet intended, is considered an accomplishment. Poetry is an art of discovery, it requires immense effort not only to understand but to compose. Indian Woman, a poem written by Jeanette Armstrong, evokes a number of emotions and thoughts. The poem describes the unfortunate lifestyle of an Indian women in that day and age, the duties and tasks which were performed, whether willingly or not. Indian Woman is a poem containing painful images,†¦show more content†¦Either way, this woman faces the lowest of situations and lives on in order to â€Å"carry the seeds... give them life...watch them grow...I teach them the songs / I help them to hear / I give them truth†. This Indian wo man is a â€Å"mother† to all, she teaches them, and most importantly gives them truth so her â€Å"children† can live free from such torture. The voice of this poem is an obvious one; and Indian woman. However there are such moments in this poem where there is a connection between the reader and the poet. The Indian woman is strong, she is a leader and faces all which many do not and manages to hold her head high. She is somewhat a founder of her aboriginal community and although there is an uncertainty as to why, she feels as thought she can overcome what others cannot. The Indian woman is full of knowledge and realizes that there may be such struggles which he must overcome, however she is willing to do so in order to maintain that steady lifestyle for the rest of her community. She is aware that something is wrong (stanza 9), yet understands that there truly is no way out, other than by abiding and staying alive through all of her hardships. This woman is a strong individual and cares for her family. Jeanette Armstrong manages to portray the general native Indian woman, the triumphs which are faced, and the major downfalls such as the men who raped, beat and ridiculed her. The imagery of this poem is itsShow MoreRelatedPoetry Essay766 Words   |  4 PagesPoems on Poetry Essay In the poems ‘How to Eat a Poem’ by Eve Merriam and ‘Introduction to Poetry’ by Billy Collins, important ideas are presented about how poetry should be experienced and enjoyed. The poets used the techniques extended metaphor, repetition, metaphors and personification to show me how these ideas is important. In ‘How to Eat a Poem’ by Eve Merriam, the author describes how poetry is to be experienced. Poetry doesn’t need any manners and has no rules. â€Å"Don’t be polite /Read More The Poetry of Paz Essay1728 Words   |  7 PagesLiterature possesses a multitude of forms similar to poetry. It adheres to the human emotion as well as the human senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. Poems have the ability to express a story whether it be literal or metaphoric regardless of its length text wise. However, through the author’s use of imagery and diction, the reader is subject to envisioning and capturing the image purposefully being conveyed. In the eyes of renowned poet and essayist, including many other occupation titlesRead MoreEssay on Death in Poetry1592 Words   |  7 PagesDeath in Poetry Numerous themes are found in poetry. One recurring theme that we have encountered this year is death. It is the main focus of Stevens The Emperor of Ice-Cream, Frosts After Apple-Picking, and Whitmans The Wound-Dresser and is hinted at in many other poems. This essay will discuss how the different poets treat the subject differently in relation to various aspects of composition, such as style, form, theme, tone, imagery, metaphor, and diction. Whitman describesRead MorePoetry essay1111 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿How does the poet vividly convey ideas concerning the influence that nature has upon man? Compare and Contrast at least two poets from cluster one giving detailed close analysis throughout. (Comparison of ‘Overlooking the River Stour’ by Thomas Hardy and ‘Landscape’ by Michael Longley.) Equally ‘Overlooking the River Stour’ by Thomas Hardy and ‘Landscape’ by Michael Longley portray to the reader that nature can consume and influence mans’ behaviour. They also both highlight how easily thingsRead MoreA Comparison of Poetry Essay967 Words   |  4 PagesA Comparison of Poetry In this essay two poems will be juxtaposed. One of the poems is called My parents kept me from children who were rough. This poem was written by Stephen Spender. Stephen Spender was greatly admired for his work and was knighted in 1983. He lived in the 20th century and died 22 years after W H Auden in 1995 .The second poem chosen is called Funeral Blues and was written by W H Auden. W H Auden was a greatly respected homosexual poet who livedRead More Apology for Poetry Essay1900 Words   |  8 PagesAn â€Å"Apology for Poetry† is a compelling essay refuting the attack on poetry by Puritan and fundamentalist Stephen Gosson. This complex article written by Sir Phillip Sidney represents the decisive rebuttal defending poetry. His strong emotive passages defend the uncongenial comments of poetry from Gosson. Although, his justification for the rebuttal is alluded to Gosson’s durable attacks on poetry; it is known Gosson’s remarks prompt Sidney’s attitude to defend not only against Gosson but as wellRead MorePoetry Essay Prompt2545 Words   |  11 PagesAP Literature Poetry Essay Prompts (1970–2011) 1970 Poem: â€Å"Elegy for Jane† (Theodore Roethke) Prompt: Write an essay in which you describe the speakers attitude toward his former student, Jane. 1971 Poem: â€Å"The Unknown Citizen† (W.H. Auden) Prompt: In a brief essay, identify at least two of the implications implicit in the society reflected in the poem. Support your statements by specific references to the poem. 1972 NO POEM 1973 (exam not available) 1974 Poem: â€Å"I wonder whether one expectsRead MoreComparison Poetry Essay2397 Words   |  10 PagesPoetry Essay Each one of the poems offers a unique view upon love. The first poem by Robert Herrick, To the Virgins to make much of Time, focuses upon the idea of carpe diem. The poem stresses the idea of marriage while love and flesh are still young and believes this gift of virginity to be a great waste if not given while it is still desirable. Marvell also uses the carpe diem theme to his poem ‘To His Coy Mistress,’ however with three certain sections within the poem. The first part elaboratesRead MorePoetry Comparative Essay Guide1500 Words   |  6 PagesWriting A Good Comparative Essay – GCSE Poetry You will be asked to compare two or more poems in your exam. You could be asked to write about the presentation of themes, people or places and the importance of language. A good comparative essay is like a multi-layered sandwich: †¢ BREAD - A new point. †¢ FILLING A - How one of your chosen poems illustrates this point. †¢ FILLING B - How your other chosen poem illustrates this point. †¢ BREAD - Your conclusion about this point. This is what the examinersRead MoreAnalyzing the Elements of Poetry Essay849 Words   |  4 Pagesfor this essay I thought that there was going to be very little that I would learn about the elements of poetry. This is not because I am an expert and have nothing new to learn, but rather the opposite. I have never really spent the time to break down and appreciate poetry. One of the reasons I think that I haven’t spent the time on poetry is due to my reading habits. I usually read to gather information and poetry is on the other end of the spectrum. Fredrick Gruber sums this up, â€Å"Poetry tends to

Mystery and Fear in The Withered Arm Free Essays

string(50) " discomfort of using her name, as if it is taboo\." How does the social/ historical context ad to the fear and mystery created? In the Withered Arm, Hardy uses various literary techniques to create mystery and fear. Through crafting his characters’ personalities, forming events and setting a tone for his story, Hardy treats the reader as If they were one of the characters. Through the story, Information Is drip fed to us as well as the characters which creates mystery, because we experience the consequences of the characters actions along with them. We will write a custom essay sample on Mystery and Fear in The Withered Arm or any similar topic only for you Order Now With the additional background knowledge of historical and social context, the reader is already in the loop, so they can gain a deeper understanding of the story. The modern reader knows that this information could often cause much more fear and mystery back then, due to the superstitious persona’s of people living in the Victorian sass’s. They would have been more easily influenced therefore, in a way, a better audience, as they would have interpreted Hardy’s writing exactly the way he wanted them to- with a feeling of fear and in an atmosphere of mystery. In the first pages of The Withered Arm Hardy sets the tone for his story. Hardy creates a dark tone In chapter one. The title ‘A Loran Milkmaid’ means that the story will be sad about someone who lives an Isolated life and seems to blend Into the background. This Is because In the sass It would be very common for women of a somewhat lower class to be milkmaids. The first sentence also creates mystery ‘It was an 80 cow dairy†¦ Troop of the millers, regular†¦ Were all at work’, this seems like a very casual setting, very normal and plain. This is the factor, which creates mystery, as the reader thinks that it is almost too normal. The word ‘regular’ signifies no break from routine, s if these people have been working this way all their lives. Another quote is the title ‘The Withered Arm’ that coincides with pain, or a wound of some kind. This creates fear, as the person affected could be either dead or alive and it could be any of the characters. Hardy thus Invites the reader to engage in his story. Although setting doesn’t play a strong part In the story, It Is still Important. Take the description of Road’s house for example; ‘a rafter showed Like a bone protruding through the skin’. The reference to the bone creates an ghostly feeling for the reader, as It Is described n quite a graphic manner. It will also cause fear, as the connotations of ‘bone’ include other gory images, like blood. This description allows the reader to empathic with Road’s situation. The description of her house then goes on to say the walls were made of mud, this shows the reader Just how working class Rhoda is and how life must be a struggle for her. We now know that Farmer Lodge, whom she fell pregnant with, was of a higher class, and when he abandoned Rhoda, he clearly left her with very little possessions. In the 19th Century, no husband or an illegitimate hill would immediately lower a woman’s social status, as would lack of expensive material objects. Hardy also uses various personalities In the Withered Arm, to add detail to the story. As each character arrives In the plot, some Information Is slowly revealed. He has designed them for the sole purpose of creating mystery and fear for the reader. Gertrude, as a female character would have been objectified in the Victorian times. Characters I. E. Farmer Lodge, causes us to consider what Gertrude purpose in Holystone is. What with the age difference between her and Lodge, they would have title to discuss and this leads us to think that Lodge only wants her for her looks. For example, ‘†¦ Married experience sank into proneness and worse’, shows how through the decay of Gertrude limb along with her looks, Mr. and Mrs. Lodges’ connections had slowly started to deteriorate. Mentions of Gertrude wishes to ‘regain some at least of her personal beauty give us an idea of the immense stress put on women in Victorian times to look good for their men. This again creates mystery as we wonder what Lodge’s intentions with Gertrude are. The events, which follow the arrival of Gertrude Lodge in Holystone, create a sinister atmosphere. Although Rhoda had never met the new bride, she carried a strong grudge against her, apparently caused by her ever-growing Jealousy. One night Rhoda had a supernatural vision of the young Mrs. Lodge with ‘†¦ Features shockingly distorted†¦ ‘ and ‘†¦ Wrinkled as by age†¦ ‘ In addition, Gertrude flashes her new ring at Rhoda taunting her, the figure thrust forward its left hand mockingly. This shows the reader that Rhoda has not only taken an immediate dislike to Gertrude but also creates mystery because the reader yearns to find out why. In the vision, Rhoda grabs Ghost Gertrude by the arm, which connects with a deeper emotion of envy. Road’s seeming obsession with Gertrude, and finding out everything about her has led to this. Subconsciously, Rhoda may be so Jealous of Gertrude hands, which are so opposite to her own, that she may want to ruin them in some way, to prevent Lodge from being attracted to her. This is why she grabbed Gertrude in her ‘dream’. To cause her hands to Wither’ and at the same time lose their youthfulness. By introducing Rhoda Brooks ‘horrid fascination’ with Gertrude limbs Hardy creates fear. At first, the reader may think that her interest has something to do with Road’s insecurities, which could be triggered by the fact, that she has over-worked her own hands, as she is a milkmaid. However, when Rhoda begins to inquire deeper, through the quote: move never told me what sort of hands she has†, it suggests that she wants even more knowledge. By calling Gertrude ‘she’, it’s similar to fear or discomfort of using her name, as if it is taboo. You read "Mystery and Fear in The Withered Arm" in category "Papers" As the quote is an implied question, we immediately want the answer. The word ‘sort’ entails that there are many types of hands, which seems strange to the reader. Maybe Rhoda thinks that the ‘quality of hands signifies Gertrude class. There is also already reference to the title Withered Arm’. There is almost a sickening feeling of some kind of affection towards Gertrude, but Hardy also creates fear, by never fully explaining the two women’s relationship. Thomas Hardy manages to create both mystery and fear, through the question asked in the aftermath of Road’s late night encounter. â€Å"What was the noise in your chimer last night†¦ You fell off the bed surely? Hardy gives the question to Road’s son, who is already an inquisitive character; this gives IM an innocent incentive, to enquire without suspicion. The mystery is created for the reader because supposedly, Road’s encounter was a dream, however if Road’s son heard it too, we begin to question the likeliness of what we’v e been told. Hardy has created doubt for the reader, and we are now suspicious of both Rhoda and Gertrude. Fear is created for Rhoda as she has already assumed that â€Å"it was not a dream†, but now her uncertainties have been confirmed. The question comes directly and used it effectively. As the reader, we are both surprised and fearful of this ‘incubus’ which is apparently haunting Rhoda. As the truth hits both reader and character at the same time, Hardy makes it easier for us to empathic with her. When Farmer Lodge, lies to Gertrude about Rhoda and her son, secrecy is introduced into the Withered Arm. The quote â€Å"l think he lives with his mother, a mile of two off’ creates mystery, in the sense that, a son would not really be something to keep secret from one’s new wife. As the reader, we know that the boy is in fact Farmer Lodge’s son, so when we catch him in the lie, we wonder how trustworthy he may be. In Victorian times, ‘a mile or two off would be a very long distance, and would usually mean, outside the village. Why would such a wealthy man, worry about a 3rd class worker from his farm, who probably lives quite a Journey away. Is Lodge ashamed of his ex-family, or is he simply trying to hide their ongoing contact from Gertrude? The reader once again asks questions, as does Gertrude, but Farmer Lodge seems to keep his answers vague in order to avoid confrontation. It is as if he is trying to conceal his old life from his new life, so we get the idea that he is living in constant fear of his two worlds colliding. This mysterious factor not only make us question whether he loud be willing to sever his ties with his other family to prevent sabotaging his new ‘sugar-daddy profile but also whether he may be hiding other, more private secrets†¦ During the women’s Journey to visit Trundle, Hardy uses pathetic fallacy to create fear. The quote thick clouds made the atmosphere dark, though it was yet only early afternoon’ shows how the weather sets a dampener on the mood, consequently creating tension between Gertrude and Rhoda. It is common knowledge, that rain and dark clouds indicate bad weather, which can generate fear not only through setting the mood. To show that something strange is about to happen a connection between gloominess and the supernatural is established, as the quote goes on to say: ‘The wind howled’. This not only personifies the wind, by giving it a voice of its own but also, howling can be linked to werewolves which are supernatural animals often used in stories to portray the supernatural, therefore creating a mysterious and unnerving feeling for the reader. By slowly, introducing negative vocabulary in this section such as ‘dismally Hardy has captivated our attention, as he prepares us for the event, which will quickly change the course of the story. This yet again shows his consideration of structure and language to create mystery and fear. The curse in this tale is the reason why Gertrude develops a Withered Arm’; however, it is not confirmed who cursed Gertrude until she visits Conjurer Trundle. In the sass’s medical science was not half as advanced as it is today therefore people would turn to look for answers in the thing they knew best; superstition. This is why Gertrude unfortunate incident is explained purely through magic; Conjurer Trundle would not have enough information in order to diagnose her with medical facts to back up his sections. Hardy’s purpose for Trundle, as a character, is to incorporate fear in the story. From the very beginning, the reader has reason to be suspicious of the Conjurer. The quote â€Å"they say†¦ He had powers other folks had not† spoken by Gertrude, means that he would have a unique ability to perform rituals and spells of the mystical sort in order to aid the village people in their issues. The fact that Rhoda says they also adds mystery, as often the insecurity of the Victorian townspeople, would leave people with unanswered questions. It is indefinite where this information is coming from. The hesitation in Road’s voice would show that people would have a wary attitude toward Conjurer Trundle. His name in itself has a mysterious sound as to conjure’ could mean to summon’. Would this mysterious figure ‘summon’ some spirits to reveal Rhoda as Gertrude enemy? Hardy has written in such detail to ensure that both reader and character are wary of his personality. Another quote, its the work of an enemy causes distrust towards Trundle from the readers and the characters view, as they wonder how Trundle could have possibly made such a quick diagnosis and thus makes the reader evaluate how reliable Trundle is. In addition, how the verdict is delivered in such a short and spunky sentence shows the reader what a solemn character he is, almost replying nationalistically as if he was preoccupied elsewhere. The suddenness of it creates fear and the reader is almost frightened of reading on. When afterwards Gertrude attitude has changed so eerily in such a short amount of time the reader can be confident that the ‘enemy described is Rhoda herself. On of the scariest events is the death of Road’s son, not a main character in the story but an event, which abruptly ends the story; thus making it more mysterious. When Gertrude visits the jail to fulfill her last spell in order to cure her arm, there is a shocking twist of fate. The quote ‘a second shriek rent the air of the enclosure’ warns the reader that there have been consequences of the actions of a character. The word ‘shriek signifies pain, and as the same word is used to describe the feeling of relief coming from Gertrude to the horror-stricken Rhoda, more fear is created. How can these two women have anything more in common? The reader is afraid of what Rhoda will do next, as Hardy has already shown us her true colors so we know exactly what she is capable of. By changing the plot, Hardy creates even more mystery. As the reader, we were sure that a happy ending would ensue, we now once again fear for Gertrude, as her ‘enemy has returned. This broadens the possibilities of what could happen next and creates both mystery and fear. Hardy has yet again induced a feeling of uncertainty for the reader, by leaving the story at such an ambiguous point. Throughout ‘The Withered Arm’ we have had to use our own Judgment and instincts to try to predict the story, which is what has created a fair part of the mystery for the reader. We also fear our own opinion, of making a false accusation and surprising ourselves. Hardy has pressured us into doing this and therefore induced fear from the very beginning, while withholding information, without us even reading too deep into the story. Through leaving certain questions unanswered, I empathetic with people from the Victorian era, who would also have been kept in the dark. I appreciate the way that Hardy has molded his story to create mystery and fear, through his individual writing style. He has kept the reader attentive, thinking through every detail carefully while making his story engaging and entertaining. Yet another successfully created literary piece by Thomas Hardy. How to cite Mystery and Fear in The Withered Arm, Papers

Robert Schlosser reinventing the audience Essay Example For Students

Robert Schlosser: reinventing the audience Essay Any salesperson knows that the best product is one that sells itself. Its this kind of sellers good fortune with which Robert Schlosser, audience development director for Los Angeless Center Theatre Group (which includes the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson at the Doolittle), is well acquainted. If the recent bevy of successful productions at both the Taper (from Robert Schenkkans The Kentucky Cycle to Tony Kushners Angels in America) and the Doolittle (Neil Simons Lost in Yonkers) had anything in common, it was their built-in attractionsfrom Angels event status to Simons playwright-as-star durability. But Schlosser also knows how foolhardy it is for theatre people to think they are above selling their productnamely, plays, which must compete with home video, prime-time TV and the movies for the ever-crimped entertainment dollar. I operate by the philosophy that theres no excuse not to come to the theatre, says Schlosser, and part of my job is to remove as many impediments as possible that people put between themselves and entering the theatre. Name your strategy As the Tapers point man for coordinating ad campaigns, bringing in new audiences and hatching inventive schemes to make theatregoing as affordable as possible, Schlosser is in that rare positionperhaps only matched on the Tapers staff by artistic director Gordon Davidson himselfof keeping one foot in the artistic realm and the other in business reality. He has been able to witness virtually the entire history of the development of American nonprofit theatre, beginning in the early 60s with the famed San Franciscos Actors Workshop as subscription and box-office manager. When Actors Workshop co-directors Herbert Blau and Jules Irving took over Lincoln Centers Repertory Theatre in 1965, Schlosser followed them east and became their audience development director. In his 20 years at the Taper, one would assume that Schlosser has used every strategy to lure crowds to the Ahmanson at the Doolittle and the Tapers ivory palace at the Music Center on downtown Los Angeless Bunker Hill. But with Anna Deavere Smiths solo new work, Twilights Last Gleaming: Los Angeles, 1992, opening June 3, the selling of a Taper show presents Schlosser with new challengesand opportunities. As he tells it, the development of an audience for Twilight involves a creative approach that goes far beyond that used for many recent productionsfor Angels in America, Schlossers sales plan included papering gay bars with flyers for the play. Were building on what we learned from the past, attracting diverse audiences for everything from Zoot Suit at the Taper to Sarafina! at the Doolittle. Dry run for Smith Indeed, the 1991 Sarafina! project was in some ways a dry run for Smiths show. The South African musical moved into the Doolittle shortly after Davidson had assumed directorship of the Hollywood-based theatre, which has been serving as the home for plays intended for the Ahmanson (booked for over four years with the long-running Phantom of the Opera). But while the Ahmanson subscription base is one of the countrys largest (over 44,000 this year), its mostly Anglo makeup made it a difficult match with the Third World rhythms of Sarafina!. Traditionally, the Ahmanson crowd was drawn by the star name. Gordon wanted to develop a broader audience while keeping the Ahmansons more commercial side. Sarafina! had a big rep with the theatre community, but not with the general public. We got the word out through churches, and places in the African-American community where people came together. The shows box office started quietly, but by the end, with a larger African-American audience, the grosses were very high. .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee , .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .postImageUrl , .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee , .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:hover , .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:visited , .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:active { border:0!important; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:active , .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uca695c7b7cd07fe12688167512e39aee:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The characters in the play EssayTo ensure that this diverse audience would return for such productions as August Wilsons The Piano Lesson, Schlosser asked Chay Wafer, his community liaison at the time, for ideas. Schlosser instituted Wafers suggestion: pay-what-you-can and public rush ($10 a ticket, purchased minutes before curtain). Every resident theatre offers subscription, perhaps a pass or coupon offer, and group sales. But there was great resistance to pay-what-you-can and public rush among theatre business managers, who think that such offers take away from single, full-priced ticket sales. Weve disproved that. A couple last year told me that they had $80 budgeted f or theatre-going, which at the Doolittle would mean one show, $40 apiece. With public rush, they can come to four shows, and more important, they get into the habit of going to the theatre. Ticket deals, though, arent enough. Outreach into the citys widespread communities, says Schlosser, is absolutely crucial. Weve come to see it as our responsibility to put a lot of effort into engaging the people who are being dramatized on stagemuch as Smith has been doing, he notes, in the process of creating Twilights Last Gleaming. Employing the same process she used in her acclaimed Fires in the Mirror, Smith has interviewed scores of residents from diverse Los Angeles communities since August for the material from which she builds her text. The long list of contacts even created a community task force with broad ethnic representation to organize a word-of-mouth campaign for the show. It wasnt true a few months ago, but now, if you ask people in South-Central or Koreatown who Anna Deavere Smith is, they know her. Shes been with them, Schlosser points out. The challenges of luring people away from the safety of the living room and the tube never cease, however. The Tapers subscriber base has dropped to 24,000 this year from 27,000 three years ago, a trend Schlosser calls concerning. Thats a significant drop-off, he suggests. Were doing everything we can to build it back up again. But everyone is hurting in this recession. Besides, Schlosser knows that there is nothing like a play by Neil SimonJakes Women playing at the Doolittle/Ahmanson this springto make up for bad times.