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High School Students Use Poetry to Elevate Quality of Life for People Suffering from Memory Loss

Through a project presented by Oglebay Institute, students at Wheeling Catholic Central High School and Triadelphia Middle School learned to use poetry to awaken the minds and spirits of those living with memory loss.

New York-based poet Gary Glazner, founder of the internationally acclaimed Alzheimer’s Poetry Project (APP), instructed students and prepared them to conduct an outreach program with residents at Wheeling Hospital’s Continuous Care Center and Elmhurst, The House of Friendship.

Built around the concepts of creative aging and person-centered care, Glazner’s curriculum uses humor, joy and the power of the spoken word to trigger memories, improve happiness, reduce isolation and provide social and intellectual stimulation.

Students studied Glazner’s curriculum and trained with him directly during in-school workshops and field trips Tuesday, February 4 to Wheeling Hospital and Elmhurst, where they recited and created poetry with residents.

Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art

The outreach program is part of a new art exhibition and educational series that opens March 5 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. “Presence: An Exploration of Aging through Art” examines the universal, yet intensely personal, experience of growing old.

Through painting, photography, sculpture, written word and mixed media, artists from throughout the United States explore a broad range of perspectives–from thriving lifestyles to the harsher realities of aging. Additionally, a series of educational programs explore the various facets of aging and how art can play a role in that experience.

The exhibit and programs are sponsored by The Health Plan, Wheeling Hospital and United Bank with additional support provided by the Home Support Foundation.

Multigenerational Approach Strengthens the Community

Michael McKowen, curator of exhibitions at OI’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, said Glazner’s use of poetry in a therapeutic way and his multigenerational approach produce benefits for elders, young people and the community at large.

“The Alzheimer’s Poetry Project provides creative therapy for those struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia and also engages young students in poetry and outreach with older generations. Moments of bonding between generations provide opportunities for young people to develop a greater understanding of life and what it is to be human. This can only strengthen and bond a community.”

APP Reaches People Worldwide

The National Endowment for the Arts listed Glazner’s work as a “best practice.” NBC’s “Today” show, NPR’s “All Things Considered” and the PBS NewsHour series, “Where Poetry Lives” have featured segments on Glazner’s work. To date, the APP has held programming in 26 states and internationally in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Poland and South Korea, serving more than 35,000 people living with dementia.

Both outreach programs were documented through photography and video, which will on display in the “Presence” exhibition along with written reflections by the students.

Partnerships

Oglebay Institute president Danielle McCracken said the community is at the heart of the organization’s mission.

“We are constantly paying attention to relevant topics that affect our residents and asking ourselves how can we use our programs to enhance the lives of those we serve,” she said. “We are thrilled to present the exhibit and educational outreach programs because not only will we showcase incredible artwork from around the country but also provide platforms where people can connect with each other and find support and information around the topic of aging.

We are very grateful for the generous support of our sponsors for helping us to bring this inspiring exhibition to residents of the Ohio Valley.”

For More Information

For more information on “Presence: An Exploration of Aging Through Art,” visit www.OIonline.com/presence.

About Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center

Part of the non-profit Oglebay Institute and housed in the historic Edemar Mansion in Wheeling, the Stifel Fine Arts Center is a public arts center with galleries, classrooms and performance space. It serves as a gathering place for artists, emerging artists, art lovers, students, educators and families – connecting and engaging the community in creative pursuits.

Actors Nate Foster and Halli Richards said they’re having a blast as the Prince and the Witch, respectively, in Towngate Theatre’s production of Rapunzel, which opened this past weekend. Their enjoyment is due in no small part to the long theatrical history they share with Dave Henderson, Towngate’s artistic director.

Nate has worked with Dave since he was a student at Wheeling Central. Both Nate and Halli were in shows he directed at Wheeling Jesuit University (now Wheeling University).

They shared with us the lessons Dave has taught them over the years.

Always Own the Stage

Dave cast Halli in her first show.  Because of that show, she said she became “obsessed with performing.” Dave brought out in her talents she didn’t know she had.

“One of my very favorite memories of working with Dave during college was actually a small tradition that the cast and theatre guild upheld during every single show,” Halli said. “After working tirelessly for months to make sure each show would be a good one, we always looked to Dave for some kind of approval or reassurance. We knew that if Dave said the coveted words, ‘We have a show!,’ that we had really done our best to not only impress an audience, but to impress Dave Henderson.”

Nate recalled a maxim Dave taught him that has served him well beyond the stage.

“‘If you mess up, make it big. Own it. Because it will look as though it was intentional,’” Nate said. “I use that advice every single day wherever I may be.”

He also taught his students to be present and engaged with every moment that happens on stage.

“I remember Dave teaching us at WJU that if our whole entire bodies weren’t engaged to the point of exhaustion by the end of a show, that we probably weren’t giving enough effort,” Halli said. “It’s because of that lesson that I always try my hardest to take advantage of my time onstage, to engage and exaggerate in order to put on a memorable show for the audience, and to enjoy the time that I’m given to perform with wonderful castmates.”

An Awesome Experience

It’s been a while since Dave directed Nate and Hallie. However, working with him on Rapunzel reminded them of the impact he’s had on their growth as performers and as individuals.

“It’s just like it has always been. Still full of fun,” Nate said. “Dave is a wonderful director and deserves so much more credit than he takes.”

Halli said this was her first time back on stage since she graduated from college.

“When I say I missed theater with everything I have, I mean that! Working on Rapunzel has been incredibly fun and has helped me to learn more about theater and performing, now in a community theater setting. Getting back on stage has been a huge breath of fresh air, and to make it even better I’ve been lucky enough to work with talented veterans of the Towngate Theatre stage. Not only has that helped to make me feel comfortable and welcome, but it has helped to make me better and to really enjoy this show.”

She remembered Dave’s time at WJU, where shows had to be staged as minimally as possible.

“I’ve known for a long time that Dave is a talented man, as he helped us to create shows we were truly proud of at WJU, often with small numbers, a small theatre program and few resources,” she said. “So, to see Dave thrive at Towngate, to continue to watch him create awesome sets and bring shows to life with the help and support from others who care as much about theater as he does has been so much fun.”

“My last statement is directly for Dave,” Nate added. “Thank you for all of your help over the past eight years. You’ve really helped mold me into the person I am today.”

A Genuine Love for Theater

When you ask Dave about his legacy as an educator and director, he balks at the idea, simply saying he hopes his students have gained a genuine love and respect for the theater, along with a sense of humility. However, he holds his former students in high esteem, and not just because of their considerable talent. He told us Nate and Halli both have a dedication and commitment to theater.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Nate for nearly nine years while he was a student at Wheeling Central and Wheeling Jesuit and at Towngate,” Dave said. “Nate always brings a great energy to the stage and has the ability to create many different characters.”

He called Halli a “true triple threat.”

“From her freshman year at Wheeling Jesuit to her senior year, she has constantly amazed me with her incredible stage presence. She acts, sings and dances and does them all incredibly well. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with both of them and hope I continue to have that opportunity.”

Get Tickets

Performances of Rapunzel take place at 7pm Friday, February 7 & 3pm Saturday, February 8. Kids will love this imaginative version of this classic fairy tale.

The show takes place at the historic Towngate Theatre in the heart of Wheeling’s Centre Market District.

Purchase tickets online, by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.