Small Roles, Big Impact Bringing Stories to Life with the Geriactors

SMALL ROLES, BIG IMPACT:

Bringing Stories to Life with the Geriactors

“I got up to say my line, but I had a space between my front teeth, so I whistled,” Jo Mallory recalled with a laugh.

This was Jo’s first taste of the world of theater, a hobby she brought with her to Masonic Village in the form of the Geriactors.

Established by Jo about three years ago, the Geriactors is the resident acting club on campus. The group comprises about a dozen residents who perform scripts in the reader’s theater style of acting.

Despite her seemingly promising beginnings, Jo has no theater background and only became involved within the past decade. Today, she prefers to take on a more administrative role in the group so she is available to fill in for absentees, if necessary. “I guess you’d call me a producer,” she quipped.

Jo’s involvement with the Geriactors began when she arrived at Masonic Village after moving from Montana with her husband, Bill. After scoping out the Elizabethtown campus, she knew it was the right fit for them.

“I thought, ‘this will be really nice for us’, and it has been,” Jo said.

In Montana, Jo had been a member of a similar senior acting group after being introduced by a former-actress friend. To Jo’s surprise, she enjoyed the experience and wanted to continue after her move to Masonic Village.

With the help of “director” and friend Jim Thomas, Jo finds scripts with entertaining plots that the group can bring to life sans costumes and props.

“That’s the hardest part of it, finding the scripts,” Jo said. “It has to be entertaining, but by the same token, I don’t want to offend anybody,” she laughed.

Once the members are cast, and after several months of weekly rehearsals, the Geriactors are ready to perform. The group’s debut performance, which Jo remembers being a Christmas-themed show, was a hit with residents across the campus. Their popularity has only grown from there, as they have since doubled their membership and boast audiences of dozens of supporters.

Paul Weaver, a member of the group since its beginning, has a similar story to Jo. With no theater experience either, his wife encouraged him to try something new in retirement after they saw a flyer promoting the Geriactors’ first rehearsal.

“She always thought I should’ve been an actor, I guess because she thinks I’m dramatic,” he joked.

Originally from Williamsport, PA, Paul spent 30 years in maintenance with Bethlehem Steel before moving to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown seven years ago.

“I was very impressed with the facilities and the people,” Paul said. “It’s a lovely place.”

Since the move, Paul has become an active resident in many on-campus activities. He currently enjoys gardening, chess and square dancing, as well as assisting other residents with minor repairs and housework.

Unlike his other involvements, acting was completely new to Paul, so the Geriactors was somewhat of an experiment.

“I tried it out and I liked it,” he said. “My wife and friends were impressed and happy to see me perform.”

Paul has since appeared in a variety of performances, with themes including sports, history, the seasons, love and creation. Paul’s preferred genre of script is comedy, with his favorite role so far being Adam in “The Helpmate.”

Jo encourages others to join the Geriactors, especially those who, like her, are new to the world of theater.

“Some [members] have experience, some don’t and some just do it for fun,” she said. “I think they enjoy acting, and it’s not too much work for them.”

Paul echoes Jo’s message of encouragement, saying he enjoys “just being involved and having something worthwhile to look forward to.”

“Anything that gets you out of your rocking chair,” Paul joked. “Especially if you take an interest in theater.”

Looking to the future of the Geriactors, Jo hopes the group will continue to grow in membership and popularity on campus so more residents can enjoy the thrill of being onstage. As for Paul, he is looking forward to appearing in “more fun plays.”

The Geriactors recently performed their first show since a forced hiatus due to COVID-19 shutdowns. Excerpts from “Spoon River Anthology,” by Edgar Lee Masters, features the stories of America’s smalltown residents, full of secrets kept hidden during their lifetimes revealed only from the grave.

For more information about upcoming performances or joining the Geriactors, please contact Jo at 717-367-1121, ext. 15453.

By Natalie Torta, public relations associate