This paper discusses the results of a documentary theatre program that was created to provoke public discourse about aging in an age-friendly community located in the Southeastern United States in which more than one-half of residents are age 50 or older. The professional theatre production resulted from more than 100 interviews with older community members. Post-performance talk-backs with the audience are analyzed to illustrate how the production facilitated insight and dialogue among its largely older audiences. Experience with the production suggests the potential to promote the subjective experience of aging as a positive appreciation of self and others. While differences in methodologies can affect the success of research-based theatre collaborations (Rossiter et al. 2008), this community-based effort is shown to enhance respect and social inclusion, a core domain of livability in the age-friendly community movement. Results point toward expanding arts involvement in age-friendly communities.
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