Axial Theatre and Willow Towers announce Community Partnership to reconnect Westchester Senior Citizens to the Theater Arts

Westchester, NY – Axial Theatre, a 23-year old ensemble based theater founded by Howard Meyer and led by Artistic Director Cady McClain, are thrilled to share the news of their new Arts Partnership with Willow Towers.  This partnership will bring play readings and productions to Willow Towers read by members of the Axial Ensemble and special guests, as well as a special acting class for seniors led by Axial Ensemble member Sandy Rooney.

Willow Towers is licensed by the New York State Department of Health as an Assisted Living Residence with dual certifications: Enhanced Assisted Living Residence (EALR) for people with extra health needs, and a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) for persons living with dementia. They are one of 66 facilities nationwide and we are the only facility in New York State to be recognized for our voluntary commitment to quality, by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), a leading industry association for long-term and post-acute care that aims to set national benchmarks for quality in senior care.  In addition, Willow Towers has received the ACHA/NCAL 2018 Bronze Quality Award.  They are one of only three facilities in Westchester County and one of only 38 facilities in New York State to be recognized by ACHA/NCAL with a quality award.

This partnership was inspired by the discovery that long time Axial actor Robert Kya-Hill was now at Willow Towers. Robert had acted in Axial Ensemble Member Ryan Mallon’s short play “The Tunnel.” They recently reunited at Willow Towers where Robert expressed a desire to act again. 

“I am so proud of this new Community Partnership between Axial Theatre and Willow Towers. It is a perfect continuation of our efforts to support the senior members of our community by inclusion in the theater making process.  Seeing Ryan Mallon and Robert Kya-Hill recreating their presentation of Mallon’s original work, “The Tunnel” was so moving.  We look forward to an exciting time creating with the community at Willow Towers.    – Axial Theatre Artistic Director Cady McClain

Up next: Axial is happy to be partnering with GoJo Clan Productions and M&M Performing Arts Company for two special readings: “Duck Variations” with Albi Gorn and Ed Friedman, and “Dream Lover” with Bruce Apar and Roberta Robinson. Directed by Robin Anne Joseph and Albi Gorn.

About Axial Theatre

Axial Theatre’s mission is to create and produce professional relevant, original plays in collaboration and to cultivate theatre artists through year round educational programming. We are committed to involving our audiences in the process of play development and accomplish this by presenting new works in the form of staged readings, workshop performances, and fully mounted professional productions. At the end of every workshop presentation we solicit our audience’s feedback in question and answer sessions. All classes, rehearsals for shows, and invited workshops take place at Axial’s home: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave., Pleasantville, NY 10570-3125 For more information please visit www.AxialTheatre.org Email: AxialTheatre@gmail.com Phone: (914) 286-7680

Axial Theater is a twenty one year old not-for-profit institution dedicated to supporting the professional development of the independent voice through audience involvement and a commitment to presenting challenging, intelligent, and culturally relevant theatrical experiences