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Come to the Table program brings intergenerational relationships to the forefront

As a leader in innovative programs for seniors, Encore at Avalon Park has teamed with Orlando Repertory Theatre to provide a new program pairing middle school students with residents at Encore.

The program, Come to the Table, will involve 20 Avalon Middle School students interviewing residents over four sessions about their favorite recipes. After completing the interviews, the students will help playwright and Orlando Repertory Theatre Teaching Artist, Kate Kilpatrick, develop an original play. Students will perform the play at Orlando REP on January 19 at 11 a.m. Tickets are free.

"We found that interactions such as these are wonderful for our seniors," says Stephanie Lerret, Senior Vice President, Encore at Avalon Park. "Our goal is to ensure our residents experience all that life has to offer and being a part of this program will enrich everyone."

The program is similar to Encore's Songbird program, where students from Avalon Middle School spend time with residents to develop music playlists and programs that help awake those residents who have disconnected from life.

This new program combines the element of theater with food and residents will be able to watch the play performed on January 19, 2019.

"The arts are critical to living a fulfilling life and theater is an excellent way to bring generations together in a medium that people love," says Emily Freeman, Community Engagement Director at Orlando REP. "Orlando Repertory Theatre is committed to providing high quality theatre to youth and families in our community. This project is a beautiful example of how we can bring family members of all ages to our stages."

"Food, like theatre, is about bringing people together and sharing an experience," says Kate Kilpatrick, Teaching Artist at Orlando REP. "I want to tell a story that will honor the tradition of passing on family recipes from generation to generation, and I believe the best way to create that story is to bring together multiple generations to collaborate on what will hopefully be a play about heritage, family, and love."