Equal Opportunities for Older Women
About the initiative Content and framework conditions Organisational background Back
Frauentheatergruppe Die Herbst-Zeitlosen e.V. (Women's Theatre Group called the "Herbst-Zeitlosen")
Communicational details
Address:
VHS Stadtverband Saarbrücken
Altes Rathaus am Schloßplatz
66119 Saarbrücken
Germany
Contact persons and their known foreign languages:
Ingrid Schöll, Head of the Adult Education Centre and first chairperson, English, French
Inge Veit, Artistic director
Telephone: 0049-681-506-826
Telefax: 0049-681-506-139
E-Mail: ingrid.schoell@svsbr.de
Internet:
About the initiative
Status of the initiative: The initiative is self-help initiative.
The initiative is independent and has the following legal form: registered association
The initiative has the dicisive support of the following organisation:
VHS, Stadtverband Saarbrücken
Address:
VHS Stadtverband Saarbrücken
Altes Rathaus am Schloßplatz
66119 Saarbrücken
Germany
Telephone: 0049-681-506-826
Telefax: 0049-681-506-139
E-Mail: ingrid.schoell@svsbr.de
Internet: www.Stadtverband-Saarbruecken/VHS.de
Back to the top
Content and framework conditions of the project work
The initiative was founded in: 1997
The initiative was founded because of the following reasons:

The theatre group emerged from a course offered by the Academy for Senior Citizens (founded 1992).
Target group(s): Not only older, but also younger men and women
Targets: We demonstrate that through intense work, older women can show their worth in a dream profession and regain lost self-confidence. We hope to motivate our audience through our example, as women between the ages of 50-80 are actively involved in the theatre group.
Details of the work done by the initiative:

Speech training helps to overcome dialect features, breathing techniques relieve possible tension. We get to know and master our bodies through physical training and so learn to promote its expressiveness. The main aim is to develop creativity, spontaneity and fantasy.
We read, act out and analyse classical dramas and develop our own theatrical pieces by writing texts, learning them by heart and rehearsing them for performance.
Areas of work of the initiative:
Leisure/sport
Political participation
Social contacts
Education
Mobility
Success that the initiative has achieved:

Our tickets are always sold out, after 35 performances. Both audiences and the press, radio and television have been positive in their reactions and reports. We have received numerous prizes, including the 1997 "aequitas" award.
Problems that the initiative has been faced during its work:

The survival of the theatre group is constantly threatened by lack of funds.
Participation of the target group concerning the conception, planning and implementation of the initiative's work:

When planning a new project all those involved are consulted. As the "Herbst-Zeitlosen" actresses write their own texts, these are discussed before being finally compiled in the script.
Co-operation:
Information:

We are available for people interested in receiving more information on our initiative by phone, post or e-mail.
Back to the top
Organisational background of the initiative
Staff:

1 salaried employees at the supporting organisation.
18 volunteers/honorary members.
The total number of hours worked for the initiative is approx. 60 hours per week.
Budget:
Sources of funding:
State funds (in F regional)
Local government funds (in F department)
Revenue from the project work
Members dues
Donations and funds from sponsors
Publications or information material available on our initiative:

An advertising brochure on the theatre group is available from the contact address.
Recommended literature:
Tips and suggestions for people interested in foundig a similar initiative:

Anyone interested in setting up a theatre group should draw the attention of potential supporting institutions (such as adult education centres) to the fact and ensure that the group has competent leadership!
Back to the top

 

2001-04-25