A bookend-generational play featuring both teens and sages might seem like an unlikely pairing. 

Yet, “The Rhythm of Reflection: A Sage Voices Theatre Project” will unite two age groups — 12 to 15 and those aged 75 years and older — in captivating stage performances at The Thunder River Theater in Carbondale for the second time in three years.

VOICES will bring 12 real-life stories of “change, joy, adventures, and reflection” to life.

“It’s been a joy to see how open both the youth and sages are to sharing and listening to each other’s stories,” said Director Tom Cochran. “It’s been a real joy.”

VOICES aims to unite teen spirits with sages’ timeless wisdom, providing a platform for understanding that might not otherwise exist.

Through a “playful and collaborative process,” participants embraced the “beauty of listening, sharing, and honoring the unique rhythm of every voice” to find a shared vision.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing the Sage VOICES Project because I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of people from different generations, to learn all of the amazing stories from their lives, and how those stories have kind of shaped them,” Vivienne Shapiro, 13.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, and at 2 p.m., Sunday. There will also be an artist talkback, a cast party at Beerworks, and an ice cream social, depending on the day.

Young artists Leo Bernal, Sean Hamilton, Azalea Lynch, Camille Moore, and Shapiro perform alongside sage ensemble members Bill Jochems, Bob Moore, Charles Morris, Pat Noel, and Dede Osborn.

The project offers emerging talent, some of whom are venturing onto the stage for the first time, the opportunity to work with seasoned actors like Moore and Hamilton.

“As it happens, this is a very musical ensemble: Moore, who is a sage, beautiful singer-songwriter and seasoned performer in the valley, and we have a youth singer-songwriter, Sean Hamilton,” remarked Executive and Artistic Director MinTze Wu.

The production also gave director Cochran, a former theater director at Colorado Mountain College for two decades, a chance to work with his thespian grandson, Hamilton, 14.

Tickets run at a suggested $25 donation, but attendees are asked to pay what they can.

For more info, visit app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=274886.