The Senior Theatre Resource Center

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Formed in April, 2005, The Vagabond Players, Inc., brings full-length plays to older adults who are members of senior centers, churches and clubs, as well as the residents of retirement homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes in Contra Costa County.

Artistic Director Sharon Redman says that, “For a number of years I’ve dreamed of starting a Senior Theatre,” says Redman who also serves as the artistic director for Antioch’s community theatre and has directed and acted in many other area theatres. The idea for The Vagabond Players blossomed during her Concord Leisure Services acting class of mostly older adults. “I thought they might perform for a senior citizen center. . .After a human interest article appeared in local newspapers, the phone began to ring. Over two dozen requests came in one month, and The Vagabond Players was born.”

“At auditions I’d hear older actors lament that there were never enough roles for actors their age,” Sharon Redman recalls. The Vagabond Players offers them new vistas, as Bill Toaspern discovered, “When I joined in 2005, I was an 82-year-old, over-weight, lonely widower,” he says. “Now I’ve lost ten pounds. I’ve expanded my circle of friends to include the interesting people I’ve met and performed with in the Vagabond Players. I’m engaged to be married. We met and fell in love while performing in a Vagabond Player’s production when she was Aunt Abby in Arsenic & Old Lace.”

The Vagabond Player’s yearly schedule of four plays leads to about 60 productions for about 2,400 audience members, nearly all of them older adults. Following each show, the performers circulate among the audience members, thanking them for their attendance. They are thanked in return, with comments such as “I enjoyed every word,” by a blind man at an assisted living facility, and “Come back soon.”

“Thank you and your group for performing for our residents. You were phenomenal!   

Everyone loved the show and asked when you were coming back! Please know how much we appreciate your willingness to enhance our lives by sharing your time and talent with us.” Cathie Ramey, Program Specialist, Walnut Creek Seniors Club

“We loved your play. It was great! Look forward to having you back.” Sharla Jennings, Activity Director, Quail Lodge, Antioch

“We really appreciate your group bringing live theatre to our community. There are some folks who hadn’t seen a live theatre production in many years, and for some this was their first experience.” Donna Searfus, Activity Director, Stoneman Village, Pittsburg

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