Senior Sector Spotlight: GeriActors & Friends

Written by: Breanne Harrison

Drama 507: Intergenerational Theatre, a course offered by the University of Alberta (U of A) that “just sounded so interesting,” as Becca Barrington says. On the first day of class in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts in Drama degree, she entered the classroom with no idea what to expect. She took her seat, eagerly awaiting the details of the syllabus. Drama 507 was incorporated at the University of Alberta in 2008, seven years after David Barnet founded GeriActors. 

It all started when a group of seniors at Sage Seniors Association expressed their desire to start a drama group. Barnet met with the group, and they chatted over coffee while narrating their life stories. After the meeting, he asked if he should return the following week. "The rest is history,” Barrington tells us. 

Whether it was writing plays, reciting monologues, or researching existing plays, the group would come together to author stories and scenes that emphasize issues faced by seniors. However, Barnet recognized that something was missing in the creation process. Since he was also a professor at the University of Alberta, Barnet created Drama 507 to give students the opportunity to look at intergenerational and community-based theater by collaborating with the GeriActors. It was this course that inspired Barrington to become the General Manager and Associate Director of GeriActors. 

“I fell in love with the community they built,” she recounts. “In 2012, when I was graduating and looking for a job, the person in my position was leaving. So, I moved in. I have always loved listening to people's stories and perspectives, and I stuck around because GeriActors was unique.” 

Every week on Thursday afternoon, the GeriActors gather at Sage Seniors Association in downtown Edmonton. The air in the rehearsal room rings with laughter as members of the group share the news of their lives, updating each other on unique events or personal milestones. The playful atmosphere continues as the rehearsal shifts towards an improvisational storytelling exercise. Improvisation turns to routine when the scripts for the production are pulled out for recitation. We imagine a rehearsal for a hypothetical play: 

Enter stage left: A younger woman, script in hand, looks with an expression of fear to an older woman on stage right. The younger woman discusses her fears of aging. A tear rolls down her left cheek. 

Enter stage right: An older woman, script in hand, walks to stage left and delivers a monologue about the perception of self and the freedom that accompanies aging. She cups the face of the younger woman and smiles. 

Although this scenario may be the product of our imagination, it highlights GeriActors’ values. “The energy in the room increases when we bring in younger generations,” Barrington says. “They are really engaged in theatre, and they want to do their best. Age stereotypes break down in the group, and it fosters an authentic view of aging. They bring innovative ideas and perspectives, and it really infuses a new breath into the creation process.” 

GeriActors Theatre writes and produces two types of plays. The first are based on true stories. Barrington outlines that these stories are from the lives of their actors, whether they are from recent experiences or stories from childhood. The second type are plays about aging, that performers are concerned about and are interested in exploring. For example: the strength and reliability of memory, the maintenance of agency, and various scenarios revolving around housing.  “We do many of our performances in seniors’ spaces for seniors and their families,” Barrington says. “They see people of their own age, in similar life circumstances, sharing similar perspectives and stories that do not often get told.  They are assured that their voices matter.” 

Their experiences do matter, and individuals of all generations are interested in hearing their stories. That is, judging by the 110 people who packed themselves into Morinville Community Cultural Centre in June 2024, where GeriActors performed in celebration of Seniors’ Week. According to Barrington, it was the first time the group had used headset microphones, so their stories were louder than ever before. “The spaces we typically perform in are not theater spaces,” Barrington explains. “Performing in Morinville was a big moment for us. We worked hard to get there, and we were able to share our stories with so many people.” 

Imagine the stage lights dimming, a plethora of people of all ages clapping and whistling as the performers take their final bow. One is never too old to tell their story to the world. 

To find out more about GeriActors, including how to become involved, their upcoming classes, or to book/attend a performance, visit their website, or give them a call. 

 

Website: www.geriactors.ca  

Phone: (780) 244-0064 

Email: geriactors.friends@gmail.com 

 

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