Fall 2025 NextAct Course Catalog

JASA NextAct

Academics and Culture Together

2025 FALL SEMESTER

September 21, 2025 - December 10, 2025 College-level programming for adults 55+

Introducing: NextAct! Sundays at JASA, our college-level continuing education program, is expanding into NextAct! We will now offer three different tracks of programming: College-Level Classes: our traditional Sundays at JASA programming will continue with in-person courses on Sundays and virtual classes on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Sign up here:

Arts Insider Deep Dive: special guests for in-depth one-time lectures, performances, and performance workshops.

Cultural Excursions: small-group private tours to esteemed museums and hidden gems throughout NYC.

Choose your experience: 1 for $250, any 2 for $400, or all 3 for $500 Registration includes unlimited access to all courses, seminars, or excursions included in that track.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Cultural Excursions Lincoln Center Campus Tour Tuesday, September 30, 11:00am - 12:15pm The Morgan Library and Museum Thursday, October 9, 1:30pm - 2:30pm MoMA PS1 Thursday, October 16, 12:30pm - 1:30pm Poster House - Dorothy Waugh's National Park Posters Tuesday, October 21, 10:30am - 11:45am The Van Cortlandt House Museum* Thursday, October 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm The NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building Thursday, November 6, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Thursday, November 13, 10:00am - 11:00am Chinatown Walking Tour Tuesday, November 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm The Jewish Museum Tuesday, December 2, 2:00pm - 3:30pm Bialystoker Synagogue Tuesday, December 9, 11:00am -12:00pm *Non-accessible venues marked with an asterisk

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Arts Insider: Deep Dive Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory, Part I Sunday, September 21, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Siobhan Nestor: Journey of a Costume Sunday, September 28, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Evan Zes: The Art of a Solo Show Sunday, October 5, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Choreography Workshop Alison Clancy: Feels Like Nothing, Tastes Like Rain Sunday, October 12, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory, Part II Sunday, October 19, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Musical Theater Showcase Greta Gertler Gold: A Picnic at Hanging Rock Sunday, October 26, 3:00pm - 4:30pm The Composers Era: A Chamber Music Presentation Sunday, November 9, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory, Part III Sunday, November 16, 3:00pm - 4:30pm LeeAnn Brown: Poetry as a State of Play Sunday, December 23, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Natan Last: Live Crossword Building and Book Signing (location TBA) Sunday, December 7, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Location: Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

College-Level Courses Sundays (In-Person Courses) 10:00am - 12:00pm The Opera Companion (Instructor: Jane Marsh) 10:00am - 11:30am The Cinematic Century (Instructor: Max Alvarez) 9:45am - 11:00am Art Appreciation (Instructor: Pam Koehler) 11:00am - 12:00pm What Just Happened? The World Today (Instructor: Bill Hughes) 1:00pm - 2:30pm Dance History: Through the Ages (Instructor: Lars Rosager) 1:00pm - 2:30pm European History of the 20th and 21st Centuries (Instructor: Alexander Pichugin) 1:00pm - 2:45pm Mah Jongg: Let’s Play (Instructor: Amanda Brown)

Mondays (Virtual Courses) 10:00am - 11:15am The U.S. Supreme Court: Law and Politics Collide (Instructor: Leora Harpaz) 11:30am - 12:45pm New York Short Stories (Instructor: Jennifer Gilchrist) 1:00pm - 2:00pm Shakespeare: Twelfth Night (Instructor: Leo Schaff) 2:15pm - 3:30pm Creative Writing (Instructor: Leo Schaff)

Wednesdays (Virtual Courses) 10:00am - 11:15am Antigone (Instructor: Joe George) 11:30am - 12:15pm Wellness Journey for Older Adults (Instructor: Jennifer Monness) 1:00pm - 2:15pm Let’s Go to the Movies! (Instructor: Kim Breden) 2:30pm - 3:45pm In Love With Life: Reflections On The Joy of Living (Instructor: Greg Canada) 4:00pm - 5:15pm Get A Clue! Crossword Construction (Instructor: Natan Last)

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Cultural Excursions Lincoln Center Campus Tour Tuesday, September 30, 11:00am - 12:15pm The Lincoln Center Tour gives a behind-the-scenes perspective of the past and present of Lincoln Center. We’ll learn about Lincoln Center’s history; explore the iconic arts organizations that call Lincoln Center home; and experience the 16.3 acre campus the way only artists and staff do.

Every day is unique at Lincoln Center and so are the tours! Each tour itinerary will be different based on the day’s activity at their many performance halls.

Regular stops along the Lincoln Center Tour (varies depending on the day): New York Philharmonic (David Geffen Hall) The Metropolitan Opera (Met Opera House) New York City Ballet (David H. Koch Theater) Lincoln Center Theater (Vivian Beaumont Theater) Chamber Music Society (Alice Tully Hall) Film at Lincoln Center (Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center) Lincoln Center Campus Public Areas (Josie Robertson Plaza, Damrosch Park)

The Morgan Library and Museum Thursday, October 9, 1:30pm - 2:30pm A museum and independent research library, the Morgan Library & Museum began as the personal library of financier, collector, and cultural benefactor Pierpont Morgan. As early as 1890 Morgan had begun to assemble a collection of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, early printed books, and old master drawings and prints. Tours are led by museum educators and will provide us with an overview of the Morgan's history, architecture, historic buildings, and collections.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Cultural Excursions MoMA PS1 Thursday, October 16, 12:30pm - 1:30pm MoMA PS1 is a contemporary art center in Queens, known for its experimental and avant-garde exhibitions. Visitor Engagement staff will offer an introduction to current exhibitions. PS1 focuses on emerging artists and site-specific installations that push boundaries.

As an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art, it offers a raw, immersive art experience distinct from traditional museum settings.

Poster House Tuesday, October 21, 10:30am - 11:45am Blazing A Trail: Dorothy Waugh’s National Parks Posters Let’s learn together about the 17 travel posters Dorothy Waugh created for the National Park Service between 1934 and 1936 which are significant cultural records of the Great Depression and mark a turning point in American graphic design. Although Waugh began her work for the NPS in 1933 as a landscape architect, she was also a highly trained artist. She advocated for the bureau to produce its own poster campaign, separate from those of the railroads and with its own style and messaging.

The resulting poster series was the first time the government had assigned such an ambitious project to a single designer, let alone a female modernist. Until now, however, there has been little research on them or on their originator. This exhibition and its accompanying book, based on private and government documents, is the first dedicated to the entire campaign, which heralded an outpouring of government posters for the rest of the 20th century.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Cultural Excursions The Van Cortlandt House Museum Thursday, October 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm The Van Cortlandt House Museum, built in 1748–1749, sits in what was once a large plantation owned by the Van Cortlandt family, who acquired the land beginning in 1693 and used enslaved African labor until 1823. The house played a role in the Revolutionary War, hosting figures like George Washington, and later became a museum in 1897, restored to reflect the period of its early use. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark located within Van Cortlandt Park, with remnants of its history — like trails and the mill pond — still visible.

The NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building Thursday, November 6, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Discover the flagship building of The New York Public Library — one of the world’s great libraries. Our docent-led tours is an excellent way to see highlights of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the landmark location on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street that houses the Library’s outstanding research collections in the humanities and social sciences.

A magnificent example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture, this library has symbolized the democratic ideal of free and open access to knowledge since it opened to the public in 1911. Official tours are the only way to get group access to many of the Library’s must-see spaces — including the historic Rose Main Reading Room.

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Thursday, November 13, 10:00am - 11:00am This is the boyhood home of the first U.S. president to be born in New York City. Raised in a townhouse on 20th Street, Theodore Roosevelt would grow up to be our 26th President and become immortalized on Mount Rushmore. However, he started life as a sickly yet bright boy who exercised to improve his health and began a lifelong passion for the "strenuous life." Our private tour will include five reconstructed rooms from Theodore Roosevelt’s childhood home as well as the upstairs period rooms that are only available on private tours like ours. You can also explore the ground‐ floor exhibit gallery, which includes artifacts from Roosevelt’s life.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Cultural Excursions Chinatown Walking Tour Thursday, November 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm With a history of over 160 years, Chinatown is one of NYC’s oldest neighborhoods. Experience Chinatown through the intimate lens of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first U.S. law that banned an entire ethnic group from coming into this country for more than 60 years. Through our immersive tour, you’ll discover the dark origins of the neighborhood, hear stories of assimilation and sacrifice, and learn about the challenges Chinese-Americans continue to face in pursuit of the American Dream.

The Jewish Museum Tuesday, December 2, 2:00pm - 3:30pm The Jewish Museum in New York City is dedicated to showcasing the richness and diversity of Jewish culture through art, exhibitions, and programs that encourage dialogue and understanding. Founded as the first museum of its kind in the U.S., it holds a collection of nearly 30,000 objects spanning over 4,000 years of Jewish history.

Housed in the historic Warburg mansion on Museum Mile, it offers a dynamic space for exploring the global Jewish experience.

Bialystoker Synagogue Tuesday, December 9, 11:00am - 12:00pm The Bialystoker Synagogue was organized in 1865 on the Lower East Side of New York City. The Synagogue began on Hester Street, moved to Orchard Street, and then ultimately to its current location on Willet Street, more recently renamed Bialystoker Place.

We’ll explore the stunning space and learn about the congregants and their role in the burgeoning lower east side as well as some unique history of the building including the legend that supports the synagogue being a stop on the Underground Railroad where runaway slaves found sanctuary in their attic.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Arts Insider: Deep Dive All Arts Insider programs will take place on Sundays from 3:00pm - 4:30pm at Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021 (with the exception of Natan Last's Live Crossword and Book Signing, location TBA)

Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory, Part I September 21 Join internationally acclaimed opera Diva Jane Marsh as she works “live” in three Master Class workshops. She will be joined by three talented singers and pianists in three diverse showcase programs. The programs will offer style-selections from the Met Opera Season 2025 of Romantic Operas, the likes of Verdi, Wagner, and Rossini, in addition to complementary selections. There will be attention drawn to vocal interpretation and execution, language, and performance, proving that the singer needs the voice as much as the voice needs the singer. Featuring Viktoriya Koreneva (Mezzo). Love and enthusiasm are musts!

Siobhan Nestor: Journey of a Costume September 28 From the moment designs are handed in, the journey begins.

Costume Maker Siobhan Nestor brings us into the costume shop of the Metropolitan Opera 2025 season. In this exclusive inside look into the process of collaborating with a costume designer and stage director beginning with preseason work, paperwork for sketches, schedules and measurements then the work begins. What is the path of a costume from inception to performance? You will learn how sketches are transformed from an idea with the many steps and obstacles along the way, from supervising a team, shop manager, patternmaker and other vital departments to bring a costume to life in one of the grandest opera houses in the world. This event will also feature stories from Broadway, regional theater, and ballet.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Arts Insider: Deep Dive Evan Zes: The Art of a Solo Show October 5 Broadway actor, comedian, and writer Evan Zes guides you through the process of creating your own solo show. In this dynamic workshop you’ll learn the fundamentals of storytelling structure, the mechanics of joke writing, and how to mine your own life for stories that captivate, move and entertain. Whether you have experienced performing, are curious, or just starting out, this event will guide you through the process of how performers tell a story that’s honest, hilarious, and unforgettable. With excerpts and stories from his global smash Rent Control, we learn stories from the heart are the greatest source material we need to be in the moment before an audience.

Choreography Workshop Alison Clancy: Feels Like Nothing, Tastes Like Rain October 12 Choreographer, composer and designer Alison Clancy shares an intimate examination of her creative process, from inspiration to completion. Informed by her many years of dancing at The Metropolitan Opera, Clancy now is engaged in creating her own Gesamtkunstwerks (total work of art); engulfing worlds of music, movement and design highlighting the razor thin edges between pain and peace, beauty and destruction. Clancy’s movement creation emerges from her deep relationship with neoclassical ballet, but subverts technique in exploration of primordial sensuality, illuminating the authority of each dancer's authentic story. Clancy then frames performers in custom lighting installations, and haunting sonic soundscapes, usually performed live by Clancy with electric guitar and a myriad of electronics. In this presentation Clancy will deconstruct and discuss her relationship with these various art forms.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Arts Insider: Deep Dive Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory, Part II October 19 In the second of three workshops with Jane Marsh, Rocky Sellars (bass-baritone) will take on Romantic-era masterpieces to gain a deeper understanding of the story being told while tackling the technical demands of pieces to grow as an artist in real time. Jane Marsh will provide plot, production, and vocal help to the performer. A pianist will accompany the performer for multiple selections. The session will allow audiences to witness the collaboration of three artists working together to achieve growth and progress.

Musical Theater Showcase Greta Gertler Gold: A Picnic at Hanging Rock October 26

Greta is a composer, lyricist and performer. She's currently working on a stage musical adaptation of Joan Lindsay's iconic novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock, most notably also adapted as a film in 1975 by Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show). She will speak about her creative journey as an artist-producer working towards the world premiere production in 2026, including developmental steps in Australia and NYC, the collaborative process, the questions and challenges raised in bringing this story to life again in a brand new form, what it takes to produce a new musical and more.

The Composers Era: A Chamber Music Presentation November 9 We hear a lot about different Eras… Classical, Baroque, Romantic, Modern... What does this mean? How does the music translate among different eras? And which composers belong to these specific periods? Join Craig Devereaux (flute), Fran Novak (clarinet) and Charlie Scatamacchia (bassoon) for an afternoon of chamber music from different periods. Enjoy listening to their performance and learn about the composers and styles of these pieces.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Arts Insider: Deep Dive Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory, Part III November 16 Internationally acclaimed opera diva Jane Marsh gives her third and final Arts Insider workshop. She will be joined by the talented Enos Pektas (baritone) and pianist for a Romantic Era program.

There will be attention drawn to vocal interpretation and execution, language, and performance, along with personal stories and audience engagement along the way. The benefit of attending a master workshop helps gain a better understanding and appreciation of the talent and work that goes into growing as an artist in a very competitive and demanding art form. With her charming wit and extensive knowledge this event makes for an unforgettable experience. As Jane says “ come one, come all.”

LeeAnn Brown: Poetry as a State of Play November 23 Lee Ann Brown's presentation with combined poems and generative poetry experiments drawn from years of being a practicing, teaching poet. She will perform some of her original work, and offer up open possibilities of form for audience response. "Seed" poems will include excerpts from Joe Brainard's prose poem “I Remember,” a few of Tuli Kupferberg's "para-songs," and the sonnets of Bernadette Mayer, as well as forms such as the acrostic, and the list poem, ode and song form. Poetry in rhythmic form is at the core of the shared experience. The audience will be able to share insight into the detailed mechanics that poets use to develop a particular style of poetry. The program promises to be interactive for some and fun for everyone!

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Arts Insider: Deep Dive Natan Last: Live Crossword Building and Book Signing December 7 Calling all word lovers! Join us for a special afternoon with Natan Last, acclaimed crossword constructor and author of the new book, “Across the Universe.” (The last chapter features the JASA crossword class, which has published 20+ puzzles in the New York Times!) You’ll get a behind the scenes look at how crosswords are crafted and collaborate with the author to build a brand-new puzzle. Afterwards, join us for a book signing and mingle with your fellow puzzlers. It’s a wonderful jump-start on your holiday shopping for any cruciverbalist! Whether you're a casual solver or a crossword connoisseur, this is a one-of-a-kind event you won't want to miss.

Check out the JASA crossword construction class’s most recent puzzle in the New York Times:

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

College-Level Course Catalog Sundays (In-Person Courses) The Opera Companion 10:00am - 12:00pm Instructor: Jane Marsh Join internationally renowned opera singer Jane Marsh for an indepth Opera Companion Course. The Fall semester will offer a style assortment from Donizetti, Bellini, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, and Strauss, plus a tour of these composers’ lesser-known operas. The course will draw from literary drama and politics, offering diverse and entertaining showcases depicted through DVD clips. You do not have to be a musician - just bring your interest and enthusiasm!

The Cinematic Century 10:00am - 11:30am Instructor: Max Alvarez Sometimes cinematic miracles occur in the form of movie stars or directors. Sometimes the miracles result from the craftspeople behind the scenes, whose towering achievements are often taken for granted by moviegoers. Astonishing results can also occur when disparate artistic disciplines join forces in front of film cameras or when an artistic movement is in full force. Join film historian Max Alvarez, a filmmaker and frequent Smithsonian Institution visiting scholar, for this electrifying semester honoring the art, craft, and brilliance of our great cinematic 20th century. Max’s 90-minute sessions include rare archival materials and bountiful film selections destined to mesmerize and enthrall cinéphiles. Program subject to change.

Art Appreciation 9:45am - 11:00am Instructor: Pamela Koehler Join us this semester for a weekly exploration of art exhibitions and events taking place in and beyond NYC. We’ll look at highlights of exhibits, auctions, and other art events in the New York area, and explore national and international exhibitions as well. The course will include slide presentations, careful looking, and lively discussion!

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Sundays (In-Person Courses) What Just Happened? The News Today 11:00am - 12:00pm Instructor: Bill Hughes Overwhelmed by the fast and furious pace of news and current events? Join veteran journalist and news addict Bill Hughes and your fellow JASA attendees to help break it down and make sense of it all as best we can. While this class examines the major breaking news stories of the week, we also strive to emphasize the quirky, positive, and under-reported stories from around the world.

Dance History: Through The Ages 1:00pm - 2:30pm Instructor: Lars Rosager This course focuses on acquiring a general knowledge of dance history from its beginnings to contemporary times.

Participants are encouraged to think critically about social and cultural factors affecting stylistic developments in dance history, such as geography, economics, fashion, politics, and technology. We will look at the dance cultures of ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks, and we will explore different dance genres, including indigenous dance, folk dance, court dance, ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and Broadway dance. We will include an (optional) movement study segment on our feet relating to the topics discussed in that day’s class.

Mah Jongg: Let’s Play 1:00pm - 2:45pm Instructor: Amanda Brown Join us for a fun and engaging introduction to American Mah Jongg in this course designed for beginners and experienced players. Amanda Brown will guide you through the fundamentals of the game, including tile recognition, game setup, understanding the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card, and basic strategies. Through hands-on, guided play, you’ll gradually build your confidence and knowledge while enjoying the social and lively spirit of Mah Jongg. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to join a game with ease and enthusiasm. Let’s crack the tiles and get playing!

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Sundays (In-Person Courses) European History of the 20th and 21st Centuries 1:00pm - 2:30pm Instructor: Alexander Pichugin Embark on an enlightening journey through the dynamic and tumultuous history of modern Europe with our engaging course. This course explores the monumental events that shaped the continent, from the devastation of World War I and the ideological clashes of the Cold War to the creation of the European Union and the challenges of globalization in the 21st century.

Each session examines pivotal moments in depth, offering insight into their historical context, key figures, and lasting impact. Explore the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes, the cultural revolutions that reshaped societies, and Europe’s recovery through postwar reconstruction and integration. Delve into the social and political transformations of the late 20th century, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the expansion of the EU, and engage with pressing contemporary issues such as climate change, immigration, and Europe’s role on the global stage.

Filled with fascinating stories, critical analyses, and thought-provoking discussions, this course invites both history enthusiasts and curious minds to uncover the profound changes that define modern Europe. Whether you’re exploring history for the first time or deepening your knowledge, this course promises to inform, challenge, and inspire.

“I always look forward to the next semester! It's a chance to do something different at least one day a week.”

- Joe

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Mondays (Virtual Courses) The U.S. Supreme Court: When Law and Politics Collide 10:00am - 11:15am Instructor: Leora Harpaz This course will examine the Supreme Court's recent actions in areas of political significance, including the Court’s decision to severely limit the ability of lower federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions rather than relief that only applies to the parties before the Court. The course will also explore cases addressing religious liberty, free speech, genderaffirming medical care for transgender teenagers, and public funding for Planned Parenthood. There are already major cases that the Court will hear during the 2025-26 term, which will be discussed.

New York Short Stories 11:30am - 12:45pm Instructor: Jennifer Gilchrist New York is a city of millions of stories of hope, dreams, fear, anger, despair, romance, luck, creativity, humor, and resilience.

What better setting for the literary short story? With an emphasis on perspective and internal logic, we read and analyze short works of comedy, satire, irony, character study, romance, family drama, friend drama, and social realism by diverse New Yorkers such as Alejandro Heredia, Steven Corbin, Han Ong, Jai Chakrabarti, Lydia Davis, Ian Frazier, Lucia Berlin, Barbara Summers, Paul Aziz Zarou, and Jesús Colón.

Shakespeare: Twelfth Night 1:00pm - 2:00pm Instructor: Leo Schaff One of Shakespeare’s most enduring comic plays. “Some are born great/ some achieve greatness/ and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em!” The great festive comedy of mischief, romance, tomfoolery, and reunion. Join Leo Schaff as he scans each line of text to provide clarity and intention for some of Shakespeare’s most lovable characters, such as Viola, Olivia, Orsino, Malvolio, Feste The Clown and Sir Toby Belch. ”If music be the food of love, play on!”

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Mondays (Virtual Courses) Creative Writing 2:15pm - 3:30pm Instructor: Leo Schaff This course calls on writers of all stripes, persuasions, and experiences. Memoirs, poetry, short stories, song lyrics, and letters to the editor are all welcome. Find inspiration through art, music, current events, or simply hearing each other’s work. Writers are helped through writing prompts to help guide topics if needed. When it comes to writing, everything is on the table.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Wednesdays (Virtual Courses) Antigone 10:00am - 11:15am Instructor: Joe George Sophocles' family drama turns tragic when Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, takes matters into her own hands to honor her brother while repudiating the state order from her uncle Creon. The paths of right and wrong become muddy when we examine two truths. This fascinating, timeless classic will be read, discussed, and analyzed to gain a further understanding of family, loyalty, honor, and tradition. The great Chorus will be your guide into Thebes as the order of affairs plays out in private and public to examine the power of self-sacrifice.

Wellness Journey for Older Adults 11:30am - 12:15pm: Instructor Jennifer Monness This workshop will explore a variety of wellness practices tailored specifically for older adults. We'll delve into the importance of physical activity, mindful movement, nutrition, stress management techniques, and social connection for overall well-being.

Participants will learn practical tips and strategies to incorporate these practices into their daily lives, enhancing their quality of life and fostering a sense of vitality.

“My classes on the Supreme Court and current events were fascinating and interesting.”

- Marion

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

Wednesdays (Virtual Courses) Let’s Go to the Movies!

1:00pm - 2:15pm Instructor: Kim Breden Join Kim Breden for a virtual program examining treasured Movie Musicals, most specifically those created for Hollywood.

Participants will enjoy a deeper look into masterpieces that did not originate on the Broadway stage, such as Gigi, State Fair, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Singing in the Rain. The classic black and white films of the 1930s will highlight the amazing talents of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and will feature the unforgettable tunes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and of course, the Gershwins. With the use of performance videos, sound recordings, photographs, and historical lectures, this class will offer the opportunity to see and hear some of Hollywood’s most beloved favorites.

In Love with Life: Reflections on the Joy of Living 2:30pm - 3:45pm Instructor: Greg Canada This course will offer a close reading of one of Professor John Lachs’s final books, In Love with Life: Reflections on the Joy of Living and Why We Hate to Die. In this thought-provoking work, the former Vanderbilt philosophy professor argues that the good life involves joyous energy to the end. His aim is to assist us to identify and use life's resources to face inescapable sadness, loss, and death. This course is for everyone who has ever wondered how to make sense of the many joys and frequent doubts that life presents us all.

Get A Clue! Crossword Construction 4:00pm - 5:15pm Instructor: Natan Last Learn the principles of crossword puzzle construction through basic history, determining a theme, making a usable grid, and creating the fill. A group puzzle will be submitted to the New York Times. More than twenty puzzles have been featured in the Times thus far! Will Shortz has hailed this class as “one of a kind.”

Registration is capped at 25 students.

nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact

JASA NextAct

Academics and Culture Together

2025 FALL SEMESTER

September 21, 2025 - December 7, 2025 Registration for NextAct programs includes unlimited access to all courses, excursions, or seminars included in that track.

The College-Level Courses track has both virtual and in-person classes.

The Arts Insider and Cultural Excursions are offered in-person only.

OR REGISTER ONLINE HERE:

Cultural Excursions Arts Insider: Deep Dive College-Level Courses Choose classes on back page

www.jasa.org/nextact

Choose your experience: 1 for $250, any 2 for $400, or all 3 for $500 Name Address City, State, Zip Email Phone Card Holder Name

Exp. Date

Card No.

CSC Mail completed registration to: Attn: JASANextAct 247 West 37th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018

College-Level Class Schedule Sundays (In-Person Courses) 10:00am - 12:00pm The Opera Companion (Instructor: Jane Marsh) 10:00am - 11:30am The Cinematic Century (Instructor: Max Alvarez) 9:45am - 11:00am Art Appreciation (Instructor: Pam Koehler) 11:00am - 12:00pm What Just Happened? The World Today (Instructor: Bill Hughes) 1:00pm - 2:30pm Dance History: Through the Ages (Instructor: Lars Rosager) 1:00pm - 2:30pm European History of the 20th and 21st Centuries (Instructor: Alexander Pichugin) 1:00pm - 2:45pm Mah Jongg: Let’s Play (Instructor: Amanda Brown)

Mondays (Virtual Courses) 10:00am - 11:15am The U.S. Supreme Court: Law and Politics Collide (Instructor: Leora Harpaz) 11:30am - 12:45pm New York Short Stories (Instructor: Jennifer Gilchrist) 1:00pm - 2:00pm Shakespeare: Twelfth Night (Instructor: Leo Schaff) 2:15pm - 3:30pm Creative Writing (Instructor: Leo Schaff)

Wednesdays (Virtual Courses) 10:00am - 11:30am Antigone (Instructor: Joe George) 11:30am - 12:15pm Wellness Journey for Older Adults (Instructor: Jennifer Monness) 1:00pm - 2:15pm Let’s Go to the Movies! (Instructor: Kim Breden) 2:30pm - 3:45pm In Love With Life: Reflections On The Joy of Living (Instructor: Greg Canada) 4:15pm - 5:30pm Get A Clue! Crossword Construction (Instructor: Natan Last)

*No classes on October 1, November 2, and November 24 - 30* nextact@jasa.org | 212.273.5304 | www.jasa.org/nextact