Santa Monica College's Emeritus Acting Troupe will perform "Conversations: Scenes from Film and Theater" as a free live virtual event at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 18, giving residents a chance to watch older adult students perform.

The showcase features students from SMC's Emeritus acting classes performing what the college's announcement calls "silly, serious, and quirky scenes that inspire, entertain, and offer something to think about." The performance streams live on Zoom and costs nothing to attend.

The director

Barbara Gannen, who has taught theater arts at SMC Emeritus for 24 years, directs the production. Before joining the program, Gannen worked as an actress and director in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and served as vice president of development at Miss M Productions, where the film "Beaches" was developed for Bette Midler.

"How do we find love? Keep love? Lose love? Transcend loss? Why do we stay? Why do we go? AND — Who should we sue!!!" Gannen wrote in the program announcement. "Join us — 'cause we ask good questions!!!"

About the Emeritus program

SMC Emeritus, founded in the 1974–75 academic year, was among the first older adult lifelong learning programs in California, according to SMC's In Focus magazine. The free noncredit program serves more than 3,000 students each year with over 120 classes, according to the college. Classes are held at the Emeritus campus at 1227 2nd Street in Santa Monica, at community sites throughout the city, and online. The program is open to adults 55 and older, though all California residents 18 and up may enroll.

How to watch

The Saturday, July 18 performance begins at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The link is available at the July 18 event listing on smc.edu/calendar. For more information, visit smc.edu/emeritus or call 310-434-4306. The performance is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Upcoming Santa Monica community events

  • Thursday, July 16 — Annenberg Beach House Sunset Picnic (Route 66 Edition), 5–8 p.m., 415 Pacific Coast Highway
  • Saturday, July 18 — SMC Emeritus Acting Troupe, "Conversations," 1 p.m., free via Zoom
  • Sunday, July 19 — COAST Open Streets Festival
  • Thursday, July 23 — State of the City Event
  • Saturdays through October 17 — Wellness & Waves at the Pier