As you may remember, I auditioned for a play recently and I got a part.  Now I’m committed or I should be.  The truth is, I’m having a blast working on this project.  The play is called “SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL.”  I play the part of Ozella Meeks – the, busy body Chairwoman of the Son Shine Committee – responsible for making all the necessary arrangements for the funeral.  I wonder if I was cast because I’m such a busy church lady.  I know it’s been helpful in developing the character.

The play takes place somewhere in the Mississippi countryside.  Dorothy Frye’s husband has just passed away, giving a speech at the Rotary Club.  His death has sent the family into a tizzy and brought them all together at the family farm.  We speak with a southern accent. The stage will be set as a country kitchen, complete with appliances and real food. – like casserole dishes, pies and cakes, and more.

Just a few days after the run, I’m going to hold a theatre workshop for seniors age 55+.  Hopefully I will have survived the play and there isn’t a funeral in my future.  In this class I hope to help folks in their golden years to have fun while learning how to act on stage.  The workshop will acquaint them with stage movement, vocal production, improvisation and basic acting skills.

My philosophy regarding aging, is to keep active both physically and mentally.  As we age, our memories start to fade, especially short term memory.  I think that exercising the mind is just as important as putting your body through physical endurance.  Sometimes it’s even more important.

I thought my acting days were over, but I’m having a great time with the small cast of crazy characters and a director whose vision is to tell this humorous story comically, yet maintain the drama of a very stressful time for families.  Pray that I don’t break a leg!