Aging, Memory, and Caring Relationships: Enhancing Engagement for Older Adults 12/1/26

Dr. Christine L. Williams is an internationally known expert in gerontological nursing. During her extensive career as a clinician, educator, and researcher, she designed and tested a groundbreaking program to help older couples affected by memory problems overcome communication barriers related to memory loss. As a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and certified nurse coach, she has spoken to numerous national and international audiences, and published over 80 scholarly journal articles, a book, and book chapters sharing her clinical and research expertise on older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Currently she is part of an NIH-funded interdisciplinary study on individual, community and environmental factors contributing to cognitive decline in rural communities.

Barry Stoltze has been a professional actor for nearly 50 years. He has voiced hundreds of commercials, worked on audiobooks, animation, and gaming, and has appeared extensively on stage and screen. In 2022, he was a proud participant in CEU Creations’ online production of "Turning into the Skid" with Judith Gantly. In 2023, he was part of the ensemble of "Prayer for the French Republic" at Actor's Express, which won the Suzi Award for Best Play, a thought-provoking production that included his current CEU Creations scene partner, Carolyn Cook. In the winter of 2025, he portrayed an immortal prophet in the musical King of Pangea at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA. He has appeared on camera in "Ozark," "Halt and Catch Fire," and "Sleepy Hollow," and in the films "The Longest Ride" and "Tyler Perry’s Boo! 2," among others. Additionally, at Synchronicity Theatre in 2018, Barry wrote and produced "I Can’t Techno: A Musical Guide to Modern Times," with song parodies and comedy sketches about mankind dealing with technology down through the ages. He also co-produced the 21st annual “Lend Me an Ear,” a night of old-time radio recreations by union performers that raised food assistance money for Open Hand.

Carolyn Cook is the founder and first artistic director of Theatre du Reve. She has more than 25 years of experience as a professional actor, director, producer, teacher, and acting coach. Carolyn has worked as an actor and/or director with some of the top theaters in Atlanta including Georgia Shakespeare, Horizon Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Express, Theatre in the Square, Seven Stages, and Theater Emory. She has taught acting and theatre studies at Emory University, Oglethorpe University, Pebblebrook High School, and the Robert Mello Studio. Carolyn has been on the dementia journey for over 10 years now. Her mother lives with Alzheimer’s disease and lives in an assisted living facility. As a family member, Carolyn sought to educate herself in best practices for dementia care. She is a graduate of the 2015 Memory Bridge Training Retreat, a 5-day intensive program leading to positive, meaningful dementia relationships. Carolyn co-developed and performed in "Blackberry Winter," a play by Steve Yockey about a woman coming to terms with her new role as a caregiver.