On a Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn Heights, Pamela arrives at her bachelorette party.
It’s unusual. The bride-to-be looks to be in her 80s, donning coral fur and glasses, and she’s got significant hearing loss. On the table, only imaginary salt and pepper stand out. Her guests? Three men impersonating her ex-husbands. “You’d be a lovely bride,” one of them remarks. “Again… again… and again…”
The scene continues to unfold.
Listen to Pamela belt out “Blue Suede Shoes” as Husband #1 reminisces about Graceland. Watch her sneeze as Husband #2 fumbles the “pepper shaker.” Enjoy the twist when Husband #3 asks for a neck rub, prompting Pamela to quip, “You could kill him,” while her hand hovers near his neck.
This signals the conclusion of the improv class practice for the day. They typically gather biweekly in a no-frills classroom at the St. Charles Jubilee Old Adult Center on Pierrepont Street.
Run by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, which oversees 20 senior centers across the boroughs, the program is free, just like everything else they offer.
In these two-hour sessions, about 20 locals join in—from a 61-year-old professional performer to an 86-year-old emergency doctor and a 97-year-old Auschwitz survivor. One moment, they might be pretending to be snowplows; the next, they switch to a Marilyn Monroe lookalike contest.
“That was the worst, so I’m thrilled!” says Stanley Zarev, an 82-year-old who transitioned from actor to communication consultant. He started the class two years ago to promote confidence, community, and help participants remain agile, both mentally and physically.
“The main goal is to provide a space for creativity and imagination, to tap back into those childhood interpersonal relationships, to shed inhibitions, and tackle everyday mental and physical challenges,” he shared.
But for regular attendees, it’s mostly about the laughter. “If you can come here and laugh, everything shifts,” said Audrey Scholl, 84, a former transcriptionist. “It really makes life worthwhile.”
Improving Health
Improvisation is a favorite pastime among many New Yorkers looking for fun and connection. It’s also a launching pad for those who aspire to become professional comedians.
The practice acts as a valuable tool against the effects of aging. Studies show it can help alleviate symptoms of depression, enhance feelings of well-being, and foster social bonds.
Furthermore, it’s a skill-building exercise that suits anyone from executives to individuals eager to step outside their comfort zones and practice spontaneous teamwork.
Zarev noted, “In improv, you agree and accept; that’s the fundamental rule.”
However, improvisation appears to be an effective yet often overlooked method for combating the challenges of aging.
Research indicates that it can positively influence older adults’ symptoms of depression and boost their sense of belonging and cognitive skills like attention and memory. It holds special benefits for those with dementia by enhancing mood, self-esteem, and communication capabilities.
“Improv has become a straightforward yet effective approach that can spark both cognitive and emotional transformations related to aging,” researchers concluded.
Another study revealed that learning something new—be it painting or mastering a device—can sharpen the cognitive abilities of adults aged 58 to 88, bringing them to levels akin to those of adults three decades younger.
Improvisation likely brings similar advantages. “Once I got up there, they instruct you on what to do, and you have to respond quickly… otherwise, you’re stuck,” shared Toni Della, 71.
Sheila Small, 86, recounted her initial hesitation during a previous session when Zarev asked everyone to lip-sync to a chosen song. The shy former teacher requested to sit out.
But after Zarev’s gentle nudge—“You don’t have to, but you might miss out,”—Small took the spotlight with Ethel Merman’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
“I was amazed. I just had to open my mouth and say the words, and suddenly I felt like Ethel Merman,” she recalled. “After that, I was ready to follow whatever Stanley said, and I think we all were.”
Interestingly, Zarev finds his seniors may have a greater willingness to participate than younger students. “They haven’t got anything to prove to anyone,” he explained. “They might be a bit nervous, but they’re courageous. Being brave is key.”
This sentiment is true for Elizabeth Valenti, 83, a former telephone company worker. After a heart attack and a pneumonia hospitalization, she reflected, “I was meant to stick around for a reason, and part of that reason is to bring joy through improvisation. I help people smile and laugh. That’s why I’m still here.”
Take Center Stage for Seniors
Before Pamela’s bachelorette event, Zarev’s friend Mauricio Bustamante led the class, guiding relaxation exercises.
“This will save you on cosmetic procedures,” he joked while showing participants how to release forehead tension.
They followed with a lively dance session, led by Earth, Wind & Fire. Participants, some with walkers, filled the room, occasionally interrupted by Zarev’s call to “Freeze!”
“I can hardly walk, but I can dance,” Valenti remarked.
The main exercise of the day required participants to collaborate in pairs to create a skit, blending the narratives of their favorite songs. “Instead of just singing, we’ll be speaking the words,” Zarev explained. “And remember to listen and support one another.”
The resulting performance showed two women addressing a breakup over champagne in a Paris café, one declaring, “I will survive. I know as long as I have love, I’ll keep living,” while her friend lamented, “Goodbye, love, goodbye happiness, hello loneliness. It feels like I’m on the verge of tears.”
Zarev applauded the effort with “Curtains!” as the audience cheered. “You both stayed in character and spoke up. You’ve earned some champagne!”
Zarev’s praise is high praise indeed; he’s studied theater extensively, worked in prestigious venues, and performed alongside future stars like Bernadette Peters and Richard Gere.
Despite enjoying a successful career as an executive coach, he has continued to teach acting workshops. He’s witnessed many students land roles in major productions like “Wicked,” “Chicago,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
In other words, he’s more than qualified to guide this eclectic group of senior improvisers—for free. And he finds it fulfilling.
“I live in a high-end neighborhood, and some of these folks live alone in small spaces. Many don’t have families anymore. Having a place to come for lunch or play bingo or take art classes or join in chair yoga or folk dancing— it makes a huge difference in their lives.”
Dr. John, an ER doctor and improv enthusiast, likens the senior center to the bar from “Cheers.” “Everyone here feels like this is their clubhouse, where they belong. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
