Acting class creates growing community for assisted living residents
Written by Justin Wulf
Taking a seat in the audience, you know you’re entering a world of make believe. It’s a world that comes with a touch of makeup and a belief that all the stars can shine.
Community is at the heart of the Act Your Age theater group at Cedar Lake Village in Olathe, Kansas. But don’t let the name fool you.
“Do not act your age. No. If the character is 3 years old, ‘Hey, you’ve got to be 3 years old. Let’s talk about that,’” says activities assistant Darryl Guzman. “Or if the character is a squirrel, ‘Hey, we’re going to all be squirrels today. Let’s figure out how to do that.’”
There are no squirrels for this performance. But there is a Rabbit. And a Roo.There are friendly critters. And the star of the show, Winnie the Pooh.
“Winnie the Pooh, a bear of little brain, but I love honey,” says Terry Archer with a wide grin while talking about his character.
Finding new friends and family
This is the first leading role for Terry.
“When Darryl said, ‘OK, you’re going to be Winnie the Pooh,’ I’m going, ‘Oh my goodness. That’s a blessing, I think,’” Terry says. “I went home, immediately went to the TV, found Winnie the Pooh and I watched Winnie the Pooh for the next couple of days.”
As a former teacher, Terry knows how to command attention.
“I learned to use my voice to be all I needed to control a classroom of maybe 30 kids – or even a look,” he says, showcasing a stern stare.
At the age of 76, Terry is a late bloomer when it comes to theater. Some of his castmates have more than a decade of experience on stage – like Rae Ellen Hinken, who’s playing the role of Rabbit.
“Rabbit is an airhead, a friend of Winnie the Pooh. And I like Pooh to come visit my house,” Rae Ellen says. “I have a lot of friends. And my nickname is Tall Ears.”
Rabbit is one of 20 characters sharing this stage, bringing together quite a collection of performers.
“I’m just blown away by their energy, their dedication, their love for doing this – and that’s motivating,” Terry says. “You don’t want to let them down. You don’t want to let God down, but you don’t want to let these people down either. They have put a lot of trust into you because they made you the star of the show. These folks are really the stars. They’re the supporting cast that really do the job.”
Adds Rae Ellen: “We care for each other. We’re like a big family and with Winnie the Pooh, or any production, that’s another big family.”
‘They love to learn’
Like most families, there is a head of the table. Here, that’s Darryl, who has been directing the group since 2020.
“We’re so blessed to have Darryl because he is a professional and you learn so much from him,” Rae Ellen says. “And he is so patient. He’s such a good example for patience.”
“They love to learn. They love to work hard. They want to get it right,” Darryl says.
As with any story, everyone has their favorite parts.
“I think when Rabbit is giving instructions to everybody. I guess I like to tell people what to do,” Rae Ellen says with a laugh.
“I can’t sing a lick, but I’ve got to sing some little ditty that Pooh Bear would sing,” Terry says. “But I listened to Pooh Bear on the television, so I know I’m going to be OK with that. Pooh Bear himself wasn’t much of a singer.”
For the director, it’s a point in a play that comes with logistical challenges.
“Another fun part is when they have to put the party hats on,” Darryl says. “You wouldn’t think it’s a challenge, but when you’re wearing antlers and you’ve got to get the hat on the right way – that was a lot of fun to figure out how it all happens.”
‘This place has possibilities’
When everything falls into place, activities like Act Your Age are what make Cedar Lake Village feel like home.
“We were hesitant about one more visit to one more place to see where we might stay,” Terry says. “We walked on to the campus, and I thought, ‘Oh, this place has possibilities.’”
Possibilities waiting to be discovered.
“I always have my ears open, my eyes open on campus here,” Darryl says. “I’m always listening to voices. I hear someone down the hallway, ‘Who is that? They’d be good in a show.’”
And proof that everyone has a role to play in this community.
“It’s important because it gives them a project to work on with a goal. And the goal is presenting a play. Who doesn’t like to do a play, right? They just unite behind it,” Darryl says. “To see how it all comes together and to see what it does in their lives. For me, that’s what it’s about.”