Honoring Names in Our Telephone Contacts...

TO: Learning, Storytelling and Theatre Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, MASIE Learning Foundation
DATE: June 8, 2026 - Dublin, Ireland

RE: Honoring Names in Our Telephone Contacts That Have Died

As people die, their names stay in the contact list of our phones. I have about 20 names that have died in the last 2 decades. Should we delete the names? That feels strange. But, each time I see their name it feels awkward.

What if phones allowed you to grey out the name and perhaps add a year they died or other word. And, you could select if you wanted to see all of the contact names or just the ones that are alive. Or, allowed you to click on the name and go to a page about them. Or, maybe to a page with pictures and memories of them.

Love your comments:

Your in Learning & Storytelling,

Elliott
Elliott Masie, Chair, MASIE Learning Foundation
Dublin, Ireland and Saratoga Springs, NY
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: We are heading back to the United States for the summer on the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton, UK on Tuesday. 7 days of relaxing, reading from the 7,000 book library and sailing past the Statue of Liberty in NY on June 17th - just as my father did fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938.

Hosting Play about "Aging with Empathy" in Ireland

Dan Lauria (Wonder Years) and Patty McCormack Star in Dublin, Cork & Galwas

We landed this morning in Dublin, Ireland where we are honored to be hosting and producing “Just Another Day” a play about Aging with Empathy. Written by Dan Lauria (the father in WonderYears) and co-staring Patty McCormack (star of The Bad Seed and Sopranos), it will be performed for free at 3 higher education institutions in Ireland.

In Dublin, it will be presented at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland for medical professionals, theater colleagues and educators. In Cork, it will be performed at the MTU Cork School of Music and then at University of Galway. The actors will be appearing on the most popular TV show in Ireland right after the 3 shows to extend the conversation nationally.

Every audience member will receive a Special Honor/Challenge Coin we have created to help them remember the importance of “Aging with Empathy”:

The MASIE Learning Foundation is proud to fund and produce this moving play in Ireland and to raise the challenge of coping with Dementia and Alzheimers. The actors are donating their time and services.

Yours in Learning and Storytelling,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin and New York
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Yankee Stadium Lesson in WoW Production

Savannah Bananas and Actor Derek Klena

As a learning and theater producer, I am always yearning for new models and inspirations for engaging the audience!

Last Friday, we took a last minute trip to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to see our friend and actor, Derek Klena, perform with the Savannah Bananas in a non-stop experience for 50,000 fans. Derek has been on Broadway in shows including Wicked, Anastasia, Dogfight and more. And, he had played baseball in college.

On Friday, he came on to the field twice, to sing Phantom of the Opera and also strike out a batter. Then, he returned with the cast of Aladdin to perform a medley of Broadway tunes with the Genie. Watch this short clip:

I was blown away by the strategic production of the game, blending real baseball with music, dance and lovable chaos. Yankee Stadium was filled with kid and families who were enjoying the blend of sports, engagement and the arts. The production was non-stop, from a welcome field loaded with music, baseball, merchandise and a stage with the players performing sing along music. It took the Harlem Globetrotters model to a new level and it was Wow!

We met colleagues from Broadway who came out to see Derek’s first Yankee Stadium experience. Many brought their children who were fascinated and moved by the whole experience.

It changed my view, as a producer of learning and theatrical events, to bring the pizzaz to the audience/learners from minute one and to break barriers in designing gatherings.

Thanks to the Savannah Bananas and Derek Klena for rocking my instincts as a producer.

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin, Ireland & New York
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Elliott Masie & Prostate Surgery Update

On November 4th, Elliott Masie had robotic surgery to remove his Prostate at Mount Sinai Hospital by the head of Urology, Dr. Tewari and his team.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of the summer and was fortunate to have the amazing skills of the teams at Mount Sinai. For the past 6 weeks, I have been recovering and am excited about more decades of my life ahead.

I look forward to blending time working and collaborating from our homes in Dublin, Ireland and Saratoga Springs, NY in 2026.

Thanks for your thoughts, stories and prayers,

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
emasie@masie.com
www.masie.com