Intergenerational performance bridges gaps, creates relationships

Bria Donahue was a potato last year.

This year, she’s a princess.

The 10-year-old made the transition from talking vegetable to royalty between annual plays at the Inn at Westport.

She said she’s happy with the transition.

This is the second year the Inn at Westport is working with the Missoula Children’s Theatre to put on a play at the senior living facility. This year’s free performance “Aladdin” will be Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 30 at 2 p.m. Donations will go toward the St. Francis House.

The collaboration between the two organizations isn’t just for entertainment purposes. The performance is a way for children in the Sioux Falls community to create relationships with the residents at the Inn at Westport.

“In a community, depending on what the day looks like and their family, residents can be lonely,” said Denise Gustafson, director of intergenerational programs for the Goodman Group. “The kids being here gives people energy that’s happening within the room and that’s important for residents to feel that connectedness.”

Even for residents who weren’t participating in rehearsals throughout the week would sit on their balconies to watch as children and residents laughed and sang their way through the performance in the plaza.

Gustafson thought to bring an intergenerational performance to the Inn at Westport based on a program she saw in Minnesota. The performance program started in Sioux Falls last year with “Rapunzel.”

She saw children and residents come together in last year’s performance and felt encouraged by the relationships formed then.

“As they get comfortable, that barrier just melts away,” Gustafson said. The children and residents learn to work with one another and push each other to succeed, she said.

Donahue remembered her performance as a potato last year and performing with two corn stalks who helped her run lines.

“It’s a place of understanding,” Donahue said. The residents she works with are kind and encourage each other to do their best.

In addition to wanting to become an actress, Donahue is taking part in the performance as a way to be around her great-grandmother, a resident at the facility.

During rehearsals, Donahue can look up to her great-grandma’s room and wave to her if she’s sitting on the balcony.

Peggy Brunk, a resident, participates in the play because she likes to “be part of the community.” The community at the senior living facility needs it, too, though, she said.

“Mixing the young with the old is very important, and everyone should remember that,” Brunk said.

She looks at her participation as an encouragement to other residents.

"If I can do it, anyone can do it," she said.

Donahue is looking forward to this weekend’s performance, ready to make residents and the rest of her audience laugh.

“It just gives me joy that they have joy in their hearts,” Donahue said.