Abundant Life On Stage

Front Row (L to R) Mary McGinnis, Amy Core, Elma Buttermore, Joan Gill. Back Row (L to R) Pr. Dutch Weber, Alice Engleman, Nellie Smith, Gene Schneck, Barb Moore, Nadine Simon.

A group of 12 Passavant Retirement Community residents held their debut Reader’s Theater performance in June before a full-house in Scholl Auditorium.

Reader’s Theater is a dramatic approach to literature. The performers are generally stationary, seated on stools or chairs, and read from a script. Vocal and physical clues are used to transform the script into a living experience.

“We did poems, readings and comedy,” said Alice Engleman, the group’s director. She said that although only two of the 12 performers have acting experience, they “performed very well,” keeping their audience captivated.

One of the most difficult parts of any production, Engleman said, is choosing the material to perform, as the skits are meant to be simple, while still holding the attention of the audience.

Engleman, who has been involved in live theater since 1966, said she is thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of this group.

“I thought my theater career was over!” she joked, but is continuing to live abundantly through the continued pursuit of her life’s passion.