“I want to be a star! (Or maybe just an actress.)”

When Angela was a child, she recalls adults asking, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” and she’d reply, “An actress.” This was rejected as a good idea. No child in their family was going on the stage. So, she ended up in a Secretarial College. Angela worked at various offices in Glasgow, but when she saw a job advertised at the BBC, she jumped at the chance. The job was in London, so she left Scotland and went off to work in England. She took a BBC Training Course and was recruited for the Program Planning Department. When Angela ended up in drama, she was so happy. She wasn’t an actress, but she was happy being on the TV production crew.

When Angela retired, she took a drama course at ELLA, and at the end of the course, David Barnet invited them to join GeriActors & Friends. She jumped at his offer. Angela enjoys being on the other side of the camera. The GeriActors are a great company and she’s proud when they give performances and get a great reception.

Headshot by: Marc J. Chalifoux

“Physically I’m tired [after rehearsals], but emotionally I’m invigorated.”

Carlean was recruited to GeriActors after seeing a play directed by our own David Barnet. In Carlean’s opinion, one of the biggest barriers for seniors is that society treats them as if they are invisible, and she is anything but that! Our company is an avenue for her to demonstrate how vital and relevant seniors are. She loves every aspect of theatre from production to performance. Carlean feels that GeriActors gives her constant encouragement to express herself creatively, and it is a safe environment in which to learn and be challenged. Amidst a global pandemic, working with GeriActors helped her stay connected in these isolating times and retain a positive attitude.

Headshot by: Edith Mitchell

Caroline is a director, educator and dramaturg born and raised in Alberta. She is a Professor of Drama at Concordia University of Edmonton where she teaches theatre for young audiences, creative process, directing and acting. She is a co-founder of Concrete Theatre and served as Artistic co-director for many years. Over the past 35 years she has directed and facilitated many productions and projects for young people and families including Songs My Mother Never Sung Me by Dave Clarke – a chamber opera in American Sign Language and sung English. Caroline has worked with the University of Alberta, The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Opera, Opera Nuova and Fringe Theatre Adventures.

Caroline’s career has primarily focused on Theatre for Young Audiences and she remains passionate about creating theatre for young people that is engaging and helps them to navigate their place in the world. She is thrilled that Concordia is collaborating with GeriActors & Friends and is experiencing firsthand the amazing impact that Geris has. When GeriActors first approached Concordia about becoming Friends, Caroline imagined that she would supervise students from afar but one visit to a rehearsal and she was hooked!

Headshot by: Edith Mitchell

Charles first heard about GeriActors in his last year at Concordia University of Edmonton. Initially, it was just an option for him to get credit in order to graduate. After one semester though Charles was hooked. Joining GeriActors with his classmate and friend Mackenzie, he didn’t know what to expect. He had some experience with intergenerational settings in the past but nothing quite to this scale. During his time with GeriActors, he has been a part of several research projects on Intergenerational Theatre and Experience broadcasting to other students or members of the community about the benefits of Intergenerational work and the importance of it, even placing first with his classmate in the Research and Innovation Conference at Concordia. After all this time though, Charles says “It’s not about what we are working on, what we are performing or what we are rehearsing, the biggest thing about this experience is all of the incredible people I have had the privilege of working with.” Working with the GeriActors and Friends has changed Charles’ life, it’s changed how he engages with others, how he approaches theatre, how he builds connections and his overall outlook on life. “As a student, we get into this mindset of what theatre is supposed to look like, the overall process of it, the chain of events. GeriActors takes that process, that mindset and it shatters it into a million pieces. It has been the most captivating and influential part of my entire acting career.” Now graduated, Charles hopes to encourage more students from various faculties to engage with the GeriActors and Friends, “become a friend participant or even see a show, it will change your life forever.”

Headshot by: Edith Mitchell

“I enjoy being with GeriActors & Friends because we don’t feel guilty about being silly. We can show young people that seniors are fun to be around.”

When Connie heard about GeriActors she decided to check them out and attended their performance in June 2023.  That fall she started taking classes offered by GeriActors, which included working on a scene, a one act play, monologue and improv. A year later she was invited to join GeriActors & Friends.

Connie loves being onstage and learning from everyone involved in GeriActors & Friends plus working together to encourage creativity.

Headshot by: Edith Mitchell

David Barnet, the founding artistic director of GeriActors, is a professor emeritus in Drama from the University of Alberta, where he specialized in community-based and ensemble theatre, and acting Shakespeare. He is the founding artistic director of Catalyst Theatre and has extensive experience in Popular Theatre and Theatre for Development in Africa and Asia. He is a 3M National Teaching Fellow.

In developing GeriActors and the practice of intergenerational theatre and creative aging, David has been influenced by the work of Stuart Kendall and Stagebridge in Oakland, California; Arthur Strimling and Roots&Branches in New York; ESTA (Elders Share the Arts) in New York; Susan Pearlstein, founder of the National Centre for Creative Aging in Washington, DC; and Pam Schweitzer, the founder of Age Exchange in London, UK.

Headshot by: Marc J. Chalifoux

“I’ve learned to look back at my past which is something I wouldn’t have thought about and now I’m passing it on to my children.”

When Diane first heard about GeriActors, she thought it was a thing for “old” people and originally turned down joining. She eventually decided to give it a try for one summer and has been a member ever since. Diane considers GeriActors to be one of the most important parts of her life as it gives her something to look forward to every week. It fostered an appreciation of her own family history. Diane enjoys collaborating with people of varying ages and experiences. Some of her favourite moments have been when working with Jasper Place high school students and exchanging life stories with them. With the company, Diane is always having fun, laughing, and learning new things.

Headshot by: Marc J. Chalifoux

“Sometimes you get a part you really like and sometimes you get a part that you think somebody else should have… know the importance of whatever part you play, you have to make the other person look their best. You have to support the other person… Make the other person look their best and when you get a good part, they will do the same for you.”

John came across an ad for the GeriActors while playing tennis at the Kinsmen Field House. Although he had no prior acting experience, being the ambitious man he is he decided to try it out and is still performing 20 years later. Joining the GeriActors has helped John to stay involved with his community. The social aspect of this group has kept John coming back year after year. John stresses the importance of taking down the barriers that seniors face today, by not being afraid to try something new. John has developed a greater appreciation of the younger generation, who he enjoys working with. He believes they bring a new life and add a new dynamic to the GeriActors.

Headshot by: Marc J. Chalifoux

Mackenzie Munch received her Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Concordia University of Edmonton, where she first became involved with GeriActors & Friends. She has always had a  passion for theatre, storytelling, and all things imaginative. From a young age, Mackenzie was  involved in theatre and dance, which fostered her love for performance and creative expression.  Through her work with GeriActors & Friends, she has found a meaningful connection to intergenerational theatre and collaborative storytelling.

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Maria graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Drama. After graduating she applied to and was accepted into the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal. Upon coming back to Edmonton, Maria had a lead role as Grusha in Studio Theatre’s production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and the Polish girlfriend in Seidman and Son at the Citadel theatre. Maria returned to teaching after a small stint in Vancouver when she directed a play at Ross Shep High School and then participated in the creation of Creative Drama for Edmonton Public Schools. Maria continued teaching and putting on school productions and, upon retirement, taught dance and drama to seniors in various seniors’ centers in Edmonton. Her most recent theatrical achievement was acting and singing in Edmonton’s Musical Theatre production about seniors, I’m Still Here. Ms. Yakula is currently proud to be a part of The Melody Singers out of South East Edmonton’s Seniors Association, and has been with GeriActors for 7 years.

Headshot by: Marc J. Chalifoux

Edith has three university degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (Specialization in Drama); LLB (Law) and Bachelor of Education. Professionally, she worked as a theatre administrator and actor with a number of local theatres and television companies. Most recently, she retired from the Edmonton Public School Board after working as a high school Drama teacher and director, having directed over a dozen theatre productions.  She was awarded a  District Recognition of Merit.  Her relationship with the GeriActors & Friends stems from creative, joy filled collaborative projects between the GeriActors and Jasper Place High School Drama students. She wrote a Teaching Manual which documents their memorable collaborations.  Facing the Day- 2026 marks her second year as Associate Director of GeriActors & Friends. Edith is grateful to be able to work again with this positive, life-changing community.

Headshot by: Edith Mitchell