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The Senior Theatre Resource Center |
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Her-Mei Hawkins (in pink), Shirley Ryan (blue), Bill Waller, president of Seniors as Stars, Joyce Green (lavender) and Phyllis Frick, Artistic Director of Seniors as Stars, work on their next play. (Photo by Donna Baxter for the News-Leader) Seniors as Stars preparing for next show Some of the players may be novices in the world of theater, but all have plenty of experience on the stage of life. A casting call went out for young-at-heart actors and actresses to be in the next play by Seniors as Stars -- an intergenerational group that does improvisational comedies. Stage crew members of all ages are also needed. Organized in 2002, Seniors as Stars performs at senior centers, schools, churches, theater groups -- anywhere they're invited, said founder and artistic director Phyllis Frick. Auditions were held Wednesday at the Southside Senior Center -- led by Frick, a 19-year Broadway veteran whose credits include "L'il Abner," "Carnival!, "The Boys from Syracuse" and "Copa Cabana." "I incorporate both music and dancing in the shows that we do with senior citizens," said Frick. "When I went through surveys from seniors, they preferred something light and fun. They said they have enough drama in their own lives." Their next play -- Jerry Chase's "Cinderella Wore Combat Boots" -- will start in late April or early May. Their last production was "Salute to Television," a combination of several old television shows including "Gunsmoke," "I Love Lucy," "The Golden Girls" and "Dragnet." SAS welcomes all ages, experienced or novice. Nobody is too old and everything is free, Frick said. Some players have been with the group from the start; new people join all the time. Most are seniors since shows and practices are usually on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. "It seems like anything we seniors can do to keep our minds active and our bodies going is good," said new player Joyce Green of Buffalo. "We can sit home when we go to the home. The more you keep going and the more people and experiences you encounter in your life, the younger you're going to stay." Green said she loved being in plays in high school. SAS looked like fun. "I was so glad when I read that there was something like this available to us older... more experienced... mature people," said Green with a smile. "I told them when I came in that my enthusiasm may far outweigh my talent, but I'm here, and I'm a ham." Ballroom dance instructor Her-Mei Hawkins also came to check it out. "I just saw the notice in the newspaper and I think I have talent ... not sure what, but I came to find out. I just think I can do lots of things," said Hawkins. John Creson, 62 -- cast as the 38-year-old prince who isn't ready to settle down but only wants to hunt dragons -- has enjoyed acting since junior high. "Now I have an opportunity to drop back in and punt so I'm doing it," he said. Bill Waller, 72, one of the original Seniors as Stars, will play the king who feels it's time his son grew up and got married. "I enjoy making people laugh and the entertainment part of it... I really do," said Waller. "I never was in a play before this (group)." Another regular, Shirley Ryan, has been in several productions. "When I'm trying to learn my lines I'm sorry I ever showed up here and then when you get into it, you perform just great and you wouldn't do anything else," said Ryan. "Speaking in front of people never bothered me. It's the singing. I could never be in a musical because I can't carry a tune." Female players had not been cast last week, but Frick said anyone who wants to participate can. Frick, who also teaches kids at the Y, enjoys working with Seniors as Stars. "I do this because I love it. It's been a great experience and a chance to meet a lot of wonderful people. Famous people but also people that are what I call good common sense people. Some of the famous people aren't known for their common sense," she said with a smile. Frick, whose professional name is Phyllis Ford, started her own ballet and tap dancing studio at age 14 in Lebanon, where her family had moved from Tulsa, Okla. "It paid most of my way through college," she said. After a career that included acting, dancing, singing, choreography, television and films, she received her master's degree in theater and dance at Missouri State University in 2002. She founded Seniors as Stars as part of her master's project. Contact: Phyllis Frick, Artistic Director |
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ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center We help older performers fulfill their theatrical dreams! Copyright 2012 ArtAge Publications. All rights reserved. |
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