To put into practice community engagement — a pillar of the Missouri State University public affairs mission — students in two gerontology courses help with the historic Gillioz Theatre Midweek Matinees, which are geared toward senior citizens.

The courses, Mental Health and Aging (GER/PSY 370) and Social Forces and Aging (GER/SOC 375), offer experiential learning and community engagement opportunities to students.

According to Dr. Lisa Hall, associate professor and gerontology program coordinator, the partnership began in the spring 2023 semester and 29 MSU students have participated so far.

The Midweek Matinees take place every Wednesday.

Students serve as Essential Personnel

Students serve as Essential Personnel (EP) to ensure smooth running of the matinee.

They perform duties like welcoming, ticketing, bartending and interviewing. Their overall mission is to interact with the older adults and ensure they are comfortable and having fun with their friends.

“My first duty was as a welcomer at the theater door. I was pleased to have this role because I could observe all the emotions displayed by the guests,” said Matthew Price, a senior gerontology major.

Price noted the matinees had a relaxing effect on attendees.

“Many older adults feel cooped up in their house or [assisted living community] because they can’t do things like they used to. Going to the theater and watching a movie gives them a means to kick back and relax while being able to meet new friends, converse with friendly staff and enjoy themselves,” Price said.

“Although there was no talk about mental health, socialization, loneliness or isolation, I could sense that this helped to cater to the adults’ mental health.”

Change in students’ perspectives

Hall observed students have experienced a significant change of mindset.

“Because students interact with older adults, they realize friendships and friend groups don’t only exist, but thrive in later life. They comment on how much fun the friends have and how they enjoy laughing and joking with one another,” Hall said.

“The observations and interactions help break down stereotypes that some students have about older adults no longer having buddies to hang out with.”

Hall also noted these interactions helped students imagine their ideal future selves as engaged and involved in the community.

As part of the courses, students write an experiential learning reflection paper at the end of the semester.

“In their papers, several students commented that the experience made them think about what they want in their lives when they are older,” Hall said. “They want the chance to stay active and benefit from opportunities like the Gillioz offers.”

Senior psychology major Kathryn Plautz said engaging in this setting gave her a new understanding of old age.

“I was fully immersed in the lives of others, seeing their joy and recollection of their former years. Being engaged with this set of population changed the way I viewed old age and created a new schema of what old age can look and be like,” Plautz added.

Another senior gerontology major, Lindsey Landewee noted the matinees gave her hope that in later life she would have valuable events like this to attend.

“When I think about what experiences I will have as an older adult, I know among my high values will be social engagement and strong social relationships with friends and family,” Landewee added.

Preserving community

Located on historic Route 66 in Springfield, Mo., the Gillioz Theatre opened in 1926 to a sold-out crowd. Over the decades, it established itself as the city’s premier entertainment venue until it closed its doors in 1980.

In 1990, a community effort resulted in plans to revitalize and reopen the historic building. It reopened in 2006 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The Gillioz is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving the past, celebrating community and making memories through art,” said Geoff Steele, Gillioz Theatre executive director. “The Midweek Matinees is a passion project for us.”

Steele revealed what inspired the project.

“I learned seniors who got opportunities for regular socialization and mental engagement experienced a 50% reduction in the onset of dementia,” Steele said.

Steele’s mother was another motivator.

“After losing her husband, my mother kept a routine — Sunday morning church and Wednesday movie date — with a couple of her friends who were also seniors, until she passed away from diverticulitis complications,” Steele said.

“Up until she passed, she had a sound mind and sharp memory. I realized it was important to provide some form of regular socialization for seniors in the community.”

Movies from many eras/decades are shown and about 10 trivia questions are asked before a matinee begins.

“It’s rewarding to see guests have fun and it’s sometimes funny because some of them try to cheat by checking Google for the answers,” Steele said.

The trivia activity stimulates their brain and helps them engage their memory.

“Sometimes, they try to trace back time so that they can remember the answer to the questions,” Steele said.

“It’s a beautiful thing, like flipping through the pages of a book and trying to see what is in it.”

Learn about the gerontology program

Photos provided by Lisa Hall.