Community Focus: Staying in the spotlight By Cory Young-World Staff Writer 3/16/2005 Heller performance troupe gives seniors chance to roam the boards Rita Boyle was in grade school when she fell in love with performing on stage. She went on to major in theater in college and has continued her love affair with the stage, performing in approximately 40 local productions since 1960. However, as Boyle grew older, she noticed that most roles were designed for young people. "It just seems to be the way plays are written," she said. "Then, the ones for older people are very desired and harder to get."

Rita Boyle (left) and Sherry Zyskowski, co-founders of the 'Round the Bend Players, a theatrical troupe for performers 50 and older, sit at the stage inside the Heller Theater. Heller provides funding and resources for the acting troupe. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World

To give older performers a chance to get on stage, Boyle, 72, and her friend Sherry Zyskowski, 62, founded 'Round the Bend Players, a theater troupe for seniors.

A meeting for those interested in joining the troupe is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Heller Theater, 5328 S. Wheeling Ave.

The troupe held its initial meeting in November. The first performance, "After Play," ran Feb. 23 through 27 at Heller Theater.

The last night was a hit, said Julie Tattershall, artistic director at Heller Theater.

"I think the community was impressed with the productions," said Tattershall, who helped organize the group. "On Saturday, they got a standing ovation, a sell-out."

Tattershall said the group takes steps to accommodate older actors.

"This is just a great opportunity where (seniors) have several months to learn their lines, or hold their scripts in-hand," she said. "Just because they are older doesn't mean they should not be able to participate."

Using scripts on stage could extend the careers of some performers, Zyskowski said.

"Some of the best actors around can no longer memorize, so we are doing plays with scripts in-hand," said Zyskowski, a retired mental health counselor. "I'm getting older and I may soon get to where I can no longer remember scripts.

"I care about people, and it's natural to care about people who are what you could soon become. Who knows? I may be in a nursing home one day and be entertained by this same group. It would make me very happy to have a group to entertain me when I could not do it anymore."

Performers in the group range in age from 50 to 80, and their talents include reading, dancing, singing, comedy and drama, Zyskowski said.

The troupe is planning a community outreach project in which members would present variety shows to seniors at assisted living, retirement and nursing home facilities. That project could begin as early as April, Boyle said.

Zyskowski believes residents would be happy to see the troupe perform.

"Just watching television is good, but it's not as entertaining as live entertainment," she said. "It's entertainment by other retired people, their peers. The older you get, the more you stay at home, the more you don't go places because it's a lot more effort. It's not very entertaining to see 15- or 25-year-old entertainers, because it doesn't relate to you.

"We don't want (seniors) to feel bad because of their age; we want them to feel good."

People are not asked to give their age when they try out for the troupe, Boyle said.

"We do have an age-qualifier. We're kind of tired of being referred to as senior or oldster. We just ask if they are AARP-eligible -- 50 or older," Boyle said. "We still like to do what we do and be a service to the community."

'ROUND THE BEND PLAYERS
Beginnings: Founded in November by Rita Boyle and Sherry Zyskowski, who wanted to find an outlet where those older than 50 could participate in theatrical performances
Eligibility: Members must be 50 or older
Current mailing list: 45
Future plans: Community service project in which members would go to retirement, assisted living and nursing homes and perform skits, plays, songs and other forms of entertainment for residents. The next on-stage performance is scheduled for August.
For more: Call Heller Theater at 746-5065 or Rita Boyle at 587-0685.