Seniors can test-drive theater with Over the Speed Limit Players

All the world's a stage, and it's never too late to find your spotlight.

That's the driving philosophy behind Over the Speed Limit Players, a new acting program premiering this month at the Iowa Theatre Artists Company in Amana.

It's a theater exploration course with six two-hour weekly sessions beginning May 19. Participants will study voice and diction, theater exercises, relaxation techniques, improv games, stage movement, character creation and scene writing.

Pieces they develop will be turned into 'Never Too Old To Laugh,” a readers theater-style presentation with scripts in hand on June 26 and 27 on the ITAC stage, 4709 220th Trl., Amana.

'It's something I've wanted to do for a long time,” said Tom Johnson, 74, the recently retired co-founder of Iowa Theatre Artists Company. The program will not only build confidence and acting skills, but audience appreciation, as well.

'They're going to have a lot of years left to be good audience members, and to have a hands-on, feet-on-the-floor experience gives them an idea of what the process is like - how you go about putting together something that you get up and do in front of an audience, so it's going to make them better audience members,” he said.

'Two, they have a lot of creativity left - things that they maybe have never really pursued.”

For instance, those who have an interest in writing will learn the process of creating a story through storytelling.

'But most of all, it's recreational. It should be fun, it should be physical, it should be a few laughs,” he said, noting that each session will end with a social time. That's an equally important aspect he has observed during his snowbird travels in the South.

'People are always looking for something to do to interact with other people their age, and other than going to an AARP meeting or having a bridge club, I think expanding some opportunities into artistic creativity in the theater” is just the ticket. 'Mostly it's going to be fun,” he said.

Johnson taught speech and theater at Iowa State University in Ames before helping launch the Old Creamery Theatre Company in Garrison in 1971 and Iowa Theatre Artists Company in 2008. His wife and co-producer, actress Meg Merckens, and other veteran performers will assist with the project. Fee is $50, which includes six group-acting lessons, private coaching, and two free admissions for friends or family to the final production.

Even though Johnson and Merckens have announced their plans to sell their facility that once housed Amana's Barn Restaurant, they're determined to keep their not-for-profit company up and running, and may offer some programming at the theater through November.

It's the building upkeep that's worn on them, not their love for the performing arts.

'I still think we have some stories to tell,” Johnson said.

For details on the Over the Speed Limit Players, call (319) 622-3222 or email itac@southslope.net

l Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com