A note from the Executive & Artistic Director, Heidi M. Sheridan, for August 2026.
Each month in my Director’s Note, I will highlight an upcoming show or two, discuss a current topic in the arts, or share some news about The Jay & Linda Grunin Center for the Arts as we move through our seasons.
Trends in the field – Arts and Health
Have you heard of the Arts and Health trend that so many arts organizations have been highlighting over the past several years? Some healthcare organizations are even prescribing various arts experiences as a frontline response to a variety of health conditions. While the notion that the performing arts are good for mental and physical health may be something most of us already know, the Grunin Center is joining the national conversation by bringing experiences that connect arts and health to our community.
As part of the Grunin Center’s mission to deepen understanding with the performing arts, on September 16th at 10am, we will welcome Samuel A. Simon, award-winning playwright and performer, for his one-man play Dementia Man: An Existential Journey. Simon has faced his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s with courage and resilience by creating a theatrical piece that takes the audience through the daily challenges of the disease and the navigation of the healthcare system.
Since the Grunin Center is a unit at Ocean County College, we host a variety of student and staff events throughout the year, and for this event, we have worked specifically with the Dean of Nursing to bring our nursing students as well as OCC’s Student Nursing Association to the performance. They will also participate in the Q & A with an RWJBH doctor and other service professionals after the show. One of OCC’s adjunct professors, Deborah Toranto will also have a table with her book which she wrote called, Nine Ways to Crazy: Surviving My Mom’s Dementia.
At the Grunin Center, we value our partnerships with community organizations, so with this event, we will have various organizations tabling in the lobby to share information and resources. Those organizations include the Regency Memory Care Club, the Alzheimer’s Association NJ, Ocean County Senior Services, Preferred Behavioral Health, and RWJBH.
We hope you will come out and experience this unique show and show support for those facing dementia and Alzheimer’s and their families and caregivers.
Grunin Center tickets are on sale now for all shows for the fall season.
We would like to thank the Ocean County College Foundation and the Regency Memory Care Club for their support of this special event.