Lexington residents act out artistic passions

At Lexington Square Senior Residences in Elmhurst and Lombard, residents are not just watching the action, they're right in the heart of it.

Prepped by workshops led by The Art Spot in Wheaton, which offers children, teens and adults lessons in acting, singing and dancing as well as opportunities to perform in seasonal plays, seniors at Lexington Square in Elmhurst recently performed an in-house production of “Murder on the Lexington Express”.

The show was so well received, it merited an encore presentation.

“This production began with five people, then nine or ten actors were involved, and it became a real community project,” said Jason Heidelmeier, art director of The Art Spot.

Heidelmeier added that nationally acclaimed pianist Ed Vodicka took time from his whirlwind schedule to play in both “Murder” presentations so that he could perform with his parents, who were actors in the production.

Along with Art Spot executives Fahad Zuberi and Taha Rizvi, Heidelmeier saw not only a “legitimate business model” in bringing the performing arts to senior living communities, but, more importantly, a real opportunity for seniors to be the best version of themselves they can be. “When you ask seniors what their passions are, so many of them say they love art, singing, dancing…our mission is to give them a reason to act on those passions.” Later this summer, both Elmhurst and Lombard Lexington communities will have another opportunity to raise their artistic voices when an old-fashioned radio drama will be recorded and broadcast in the style of the Golden Age of Radio. Hear, hear!

Lexington Square is a premier independent and licensed assisted living community that offers memory support and a lifestyle rich with experiences that make life worth living. For more information, contact 630-576-4800 or visit their website at www.lexingtonsquares.com