Lifelong Learning With Bay Street

Bay Street Theater’s “Lifelong Learning Series,” a free, four-part, online seminar series sponsored by AARP Long Island, consists of monthly 60-minute seminars focusing on topics such as stage acting, playwriting, storytelling and exercises in creative motivation.

The next offering in the series on Thursday, June 17, from 7 to 8 p.m., will feature playwright and Bay Street Theater literary manager Hope Villanueva hosting “Writing for the Stage,” an educational and inspirational introduction for potential playwrights.

Villanueva holds a bachelor’s from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in playwriting. Her plays have been seen at Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the Next Act! New Play Summit, The Capital Fringe Festival, The Baltimore Playwrights’ Festival, The Black and Latino Playwrights’ Conference, The Kennedy Center Page to Stage Festival, The Discovery New Play Festival and The Kitchen Dog New Play Festival. She was invited to be a participant in the HMBG Winter Playwright Retreat in 2017, and her play, “The Veils,” received its first full production in February 2018 in Washington, D.C., as a part of the Women’s Voices Festival.

Coming up on Thursday, July 15, at 7 p.m., Bay Street Theater Associate Artistic Director Will Pomerantz will present “Writing Your Life Story,” a unique writing seminar where students will learn how to access their creative writing skills to write their own story in their own words. Finally, on Thursday, August 19, at 7 p.m., motivational speaker Jim Ryan will conduct an inspiring and fun seminar on how to lighten up and rejuvenate creativity during stressful times.

The series is recommended for ages 18 and over, and sessions are free to attend. Advance registration is required at baystreet.org.