Roswell Seniors Reap Benefits from Acting

Submitted by the city of Roswell

What would you do if you were a senior who suddenly lost your spouse or moved to a new city and knew no one? Suppose you were faced with the loss of a job through retirement or an empty nest after raising a family. Filling those hours and days of free time could be a problem. Where could you go to meet people, express your creativity, and exercise your mind?

These are the challenges a group of Roswell seniors faced, and their solution? Become an actor! For many individuals age 50 and over, the More Or Less Players Drama Club at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center has opened a new door to fun and friendship.

The More or Less Players Drama Club, known as MOLP, began seven years ago with a production of “A Christmas Carol.” Morgan Rodgers, Assistant Director of Roswell Recreation and Parks Department, and Mary Rummell, Program Coordinator at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center, had heard about the success of senior theater programs in other sections of the country and wanted to see if there was interest in a similar program in the Roswell area.

Rodgers, who confessed that he had always wanted to play the role of “narrator” in “A Christmas Carol,” joined the cast for this first of many productions. The response from seniors who were part of the cast and audiences that attended the performances was “When is the next production?”

Since 2007, MOLP has presented 17 plays, including “The Wizard of Oz,” fairy tale spoofs, mysteries, comedies, and even old time radio shows. Cast members have included seniors ranging in age from their 60s to mid-80s, from diverse professional backgrounds--nurses, sales executives, airline customer service representatives, UPS drivers, hospital administrators, lawyers, and homemakers.

While some had acting experience in high school or college, many were newcomers to the theater. All of them were looking for a way to express themselves creatively and be part of a supportive group. They found participation in MOLP productions led to increased self-esteem, self-confidence, mental acuity, and new friendships.

Recently, a group of nine members of MOLP competed in a talent show in Griffin sponsored by the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association and won first place in the comedy category.

Currently, MOLP is in rehearsal for its Halloween production, “Dracula: The Twilight Years,” a hilarious spoof of the famous vampire tale that is appropriate for all ages.

Performances will be held at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road on October 17, 18, and 19. For specific times and tickets please call (770) 641-3950.

For more information about MOLP and other senior recreational activities, check out www.roswellramblers.org.

(Photo credit: city of Roswell/More or Less Players Drama Club)