About Us

Young At Heart Musical Theatre For Seniors, Inc. is a not-for-profit, charitable organization, based in Prince Edward Island that provides professional and original musical theatre productions for senior citizens in long-term care and retirement facilities.

We’ve been in operation since 2004 and we are the only organization of its kind east of Ontario. We exist to enrich the lives of senior citizens who are generally isolated by giving them a vibrant and interactive experience that will brighten their spirits and potentially improve their health and well-being.

The Atlantic region’s aging population solidifies our mandate to continue to provide vibrant and original Canadian musicals to those with little chance of seeing a show outside of their retirement and long-term care facilities. We have touched the lives of thousands of senior citizens in more than 30 facilities in PEI with several original Canadian musical shows.

Senior citizens, as many studies have shown, benefit greatly from both music and theatre. Some noted improvements included increased awareness and concentration, enhanced awareness and social interaction, improved memory and recall, better mobility and coordination, diminished pain and tension, improved recovery times and relaxations, and of course a happier outlook on life. Older adults that are exposed to music and theatre have shown improvements in anxiety, depression and loneliness levels which are three key factors in maintaining proper mental and physical health. Our company, whose primary focus is on performing for long term care residents, touches on every one of those benefits, lifting their spirits, hearts and minds, and enriching seniors’ lives.

Catherine O’Brien is the co-founder and Artistic Producer of Young at Heart Musical Theatre for Seniors, Inc.

As an actor Catherine has worked all across Canada in a career that spans several decades. She first arrived on PEI to perform in the Charlottetown Festival and spent eight seasons with the Festival in various roles, including Miss Stacy in Anne of Green Gables, and the Female Authority Figure in Hairspray.

Catherine is an accomplished director, writer  and producer, and has served as Artistic Director for Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside and Interim Executive Director at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown.

 

Steve Forbes

Our Board of Directors

Sharon Woods-Bryanton

Acting Chair

Rob DeBlois

Treasurer

Diane Barnes

Secretary 

Karen Lavers

Member

Alan Buchanan

Member

Doug Gallant

Member At Large