Readers Theater group performs for residents at Independence Court of Monroeville
Share this post:
The Monroeville Readers Theater held its first performance of the year at Independence Court of Monroeville on Sept. 28.
The group, which aims to entertain residents at local care facilities, acted out two plays for 12 residents. It first performed “That Thing” by John Shanahan followed by “Table for Three” by John L. Williams.
“[The residents] are very sweet,” said Beveryly Siciliano, group director, writer, producer and coordinator. “They’re just very sweet. You can tell if they’re getting it or not.”
Led by Siciliano, the Readers Theater started by singing “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong along with the residents. The song was performed twice more, during a brief intermission and at the end of the second play.
“It’s very essential for the residents to have contact with other people, outside people coming in,” said Sharon Jankovick, activities director at Independence Court. “The fact that they are seniors, that they’re still striving to be very active and engaged in society.”
Jankovick said Independence Court attempts to provide residents with entertainment “as often as possible.”
“We do have entertainment that does come in, as far as singing, and we do the outings,” Jankovick said. “But it’s always nice to have a different type of thing other than just a musician singing. It showed a little bit of voice inflections and reflecting on life in general.”
Siciliano acted with John Shea and Louis Chandler, who has recently left the group but helped fill in for this performance. Readers Theater member Diane Ribecca was unavailable due to work conflicts.
The plays are acted by reading off sheets in black binders. No props are used. Instead, the Readers Theater attempts to recite the work with an energetic tone.
The group, founded in 2014, currently consists of Siciliano, Shea and Ribecca. Additional members are welcome, Siciliano said. Meetings are held at Monroeville Public Library from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Monday of each month.
In the past, the Readers Theater has had as many as nine or 10 members.
“It’s hard to get people,” Siciliano said. “Once you get them, they generally want to stay. … It was always very fun because you feel you’re making new friends, and that you’re making them happy.”
The group will next perform at Beatty Pointe Village on Oct. 20. There are no set dates for further shows.
The performance at Independence Court was scheduled at some point in late August, Siciliano said. The group’s most recent meeting was held Sept. 9, which ended with a rehearsal.
“I think we got a better reception on the second play,” Shea said. “We’re not professionals. We just try to do the best we can, like anyone else. … You go to a place and people enjoy it. I think they enjoyed it.”