Most of the students in Sharon Redman’s Concord, Calif., acting class early in 2005 were in the 55-plus category. “I thought these talented people could perform a play at the senior center,” she says.
From that modest idea has blossomed a nonprofit traveling group called The Vagabond Players made up of three dozen or so older adults. They perform four or five plays per year for mostly senior audiences in central Contra Costa County assisted living and retirement facilities, churches, clubs, and senior centers. Earlier this year, the troupe became the resident theater company for El Campanil Theatre in Antioch.
“During my acting days, I’d hear older actors at auditions lamenting that there were never enough roles for them, or that the plays weren’t appropriate for seniors,” says Redman. “I became convinced that a need existed for something like The Vagabond Players.”
Her acting class members confirmed these views when she proposed that they perform Robert McEnroe’s comedy, The Silver Whistle, at the Concord Senior Center. Activity directors at other places where seniors gather heard about the production and asked to be included.
Redman’s choices for follow-up plays that appeal to seniors included Arsenic and Old Lace, Social Security, and the troupe’s first musical, Funny, You Don’t Look Like a Grandmother. She is also the director of the El Campanil Children's Theatre, so it seemed a natural choice this summer to produce The Sound of Music.
The Vagabond Players members each pay $25 a year to belong. At the outset, they made donations, provided their own costumes, and persuaded friends to help. Redman’s generosity, plus modest donations from the facilities that host performances, also helped cover some of the initial expenses and royalties. Soon after obtaining nonprofit status, the group received grants from the Thomas J. Long and Dean and Margaret Lesher foundations.
Audiences relish the in-house performances. “We really appreciate your group bringing live theatre to our community,” said Donna Searfus, activity director of Stoneman Village in Pittsburg. “Some folks here hadn’t seen a live production in years, and for some this was their first experience.”
Redman’s motto is “It’s never too late.” She returned to college at the age of 56, began directing and performing a year later. In 2004, three theatre companies nominated her for Shellie Awards for her directing—a first in the 27 years since the Shellies began.
“My award is seeing nominations and awards for actors who have been in my plays,” she says.
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