Mary Scarlata-Rowe (left) and Brad Walker perform a scene during a Senior Smilez show.
Retirement provides opportunities to try new things and share in new experiences. For some, that new thing could be acting.
Senior Smilez, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing cultural enrichment to folks living in memory care and assisted living facilities, is looking to expand its talent pool. In particular, the troupe is looking to bring on retired folks and seniors who have acting experience or are interested in performing.
“We’re looking for people who just want to have fun and are outgoing,” said Senior Smilez co-founder and president Susan Scannell Gilbert. “They can be from anywhere.”
According to Gilbert, the nonprofit is limited by the number of shows it can stage in a given week. The troupe provides its services within a 50-mile radius of Hopkinton and is constrained by cost and logistics. Most actors Senior Smilez hires have other commitments during the week. As a result, it is limited to putting on one show a weekend during a cycle.
By bringing on between 4-8 retired actors, Senior Smilez hopes to expand its available offerings to weekdays and lengthen its production cycle.
“We’re hoping to do 40 performances and do a 10-month cycle,” Gilbert explained.
Senior Smilez is wrapping up its current run in May, but it plans on starting up with the added performers and new shows in September.
The push to expand the troupe’s talent pool and availability comes after a year-and-a-half of successful productions. Gilbert reported that the nonprofit already has done 45 performances at 27 venues across the region.
Mark Laumeister (left) and Sue Gilbert act out a diner scene for an audience.
Gilbert co-founded Senior Smilez with her husband, Robert, after noticing the difficulties seniors face in accessing cultural experiences as they enter assisted living and memory care. Issues like ticket prices, mobility challenges and transportation create barriers that can be difficult to overcome.
Gilbert saw this firsthand during her time working at Reagle Music Theatre in Waltham. She described how groups from assisted living facilities would be relegated to uncomfortable seating in the rear of the theater where hearing likely was an issue.
“I just thought [the experience] could be easier,” she remarked.
Senior Smilez aims to make that experience easier by providing a no-cost show “as close to a whole theater presentation as you can get.”
During a show, the actors will perform a number of short plays no more than 10 minutes long. The sets are designed to keep even those with memory issues engaged.
“[The plays] have to capture the attention of what might be a wandering mind, and they have to hold that attention,” said Gilbert.
“I direct a lot, and I’m very cognizant of colors when we have a set or movement,” she added.
Gilbert previously has recruited actor friends from the regional theater community and sourced plays from all over. She noted that she has connected with playwrights through groups on Facebook. Both actors and playwrights are paid a small stipend for their work.
While there are some challenges with managing productions in assisted living and memory care facilities, Gilbert says the experience for all is enjoyable.
“For the actors, it’s really a lot of fun,” she said.
Those who are interested in signing up to act can email Gilbert at SueSeniorSmilez@gmail.com or call 508-353-5529. More information about Senior Smilez can be found on its website.
Oh Sue, if I only lived closer to you I’d be your next actor!!
This is the best cultural experience these beautiful seniors can have in assisted living and memory care facilities.
I commend you and Bob for all you do. As a senior myself, I can attest to how joyful this experience must be.
Love 💕
Mary Jean