Pearls of Wisdom

Dora Fowler - New York State's Oldest Teacher

Dora Fowler retired this month at age 91 – she was New York State’s oldest teacher. Three years ago, the Catskill Teacher Center honored her by producing a documentary about her career called “A Life Worth Living.” Her experiences in the classroom and beyond – three-day camping excursions in a local park with her fifth graders and “learning to fly” like Peter Pan with the help of a professional acting troupe that visited her school – are the stuff of great stories. The details of her life enrich all those who take the time to listen.

On Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 The Pearls of Wisdom Storytellers will share their collective wisdom at The Provincetown Playhouse in New York City. The Pearls are a touring ensemble of elder storytellers directed by ESTA – Elders Share the Arts – an organization that affirms the creative potential of older adults and upholds their time-honored role as bearers of history and culture by using the power of the arts to transmit their stories and life experiences.

On March 13^th, Shirley Young will take you to New Orleans on a Saturday when she helped her mother, a domestic, clean her employer’s house.  However, returning home on the public bus turns out to be a dangerous adventure.  Rose Fontanell will share her experience of trying to get revenge for discrimination at a class reunion. Juliette Holmes, who was born in Savannah, Georgia, proudly tells of how her mother taught her wisdom.

Thelma Ruffin Thomas says she rarely shared personal stories when she became the artistic director of the Pearls back in 2000. Since then, she has learned the value of giving voice to history as experienced "from the ground up."  The lively, spirited, interactive, and authentic presentations of the Pearls not only uphold the value of elder stories but also inspire audience participants to share stories of their own. “Go out and tell your stories wherever you go,” says Thelma.

Provincetown Playhouse
133 MacDougal Street, New York City
(between West 3rd Avenue and Washington Square Park)