We recently connected with Vintage Debbie Wagner and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Vintage Debbie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As Vintage Debbie, I walk seniors down memory lane through sing-alongs and memory sharing. I perform all year long for many different types of Senior Communities including nursing homes, retirement communities, senior clubs, senior fairs, senior parties, and libraries. My most meaningful performance project is with The Beaver County Library System.

Vintage Debbie’s Retro Library Tour is free for the seniors and held at different libraries in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. I perform with a different character and theme for each library. It’s a very meaningful experience for me because people share their memories through the songs, my specific vintage characters, and memories of their childhood library experiences. I write a memory column for a publication called, The Beaver County/ Pittsburgh Senior News. This publication can be found in all of The Beaver County Libraries and it connects my shows to them.
It’s meaningful to me because we laugh, dance, sing, and share memories in interactive ways. I witness something magical! The seniors come to my events and during the performance, there is a spark of light that transforms them into a joyful person. This creative and joyful journey is what Vintage Debbie is all about.

Vintage Debbie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and always loved vintage music, movies, actresses, singers, and nostalgia. I loved being in musical theatre, choir, and anything music related. This love of nostalgia started with my wonderful parents and they shared it with my sister (Sherry) and I. They loved anything nostalgic and my mother was a very accomplished pianist. Because of them, I know all types of vintage songs, movies, and the like. I focused on teaching the arts for many years and directed many plays and musicals.
My mother developed dementia in her 50s and that is why I work primarily with seniors now. I love to use my theatrical background to share vintage characters that the Senior Communities will enjoy and spark their memories. I am most proud of the fact that my art form honors my beloved parents. My beautiful parents ( Bob & Eileen Smith) are always the wind beneath my wings!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes! I described the driving force in the last question section. My mother developed dementia in her 50s and I do my performance art to honor her memory. She started me on my creative, musical, and theatrical journey as a child and encouraged me every day. I grew up in a very creative family and was encouraged to perform and create daily. My family loved nostalgia and that inspired me to act and sing as vintage characters. It is important for me to continue on this journey with my husband, two sons, and dog. We are very creative family too!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love touching hearts through my performance art! It is a gift for me to listen to the memories that my songs, questions, and characters bring to the seniors. It makes it all worth it and gives my art a very spiriting component!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pittsburghseniornews.com/?
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagedebbiewagner?igsh=ancxYnNoeDM1anE4&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.wagner.3557440?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-smith-wagner-9965a439?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vintagedebbie4399
• Other: https://aofattackimagery.com
  

Image Credits

My son, Davey Wagner, is my content manager, photographer, and videographer. He is a freelance artist. His website is aofattackimagery.com and his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidnicholaswagner?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app