Image Up Advertising & Design

20 20 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | MAY 2022 | | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | MAY 2022 | Dick English I was once asked, "How do you get to be an actor in Four Seasons Players?" and it made me think about how I got started. I have long taken enjoyment from attending live theater. There seems to be an interaction between the actors and the audience, and I wondered what that felt like. So, eventually, I got up enough nerve to ask about participating in what was then known as Readers Theater here in Four Seasons. I was asked what experience I had, and I admitted that my only acting experience was trying to convince others during my professional career that I knew what I was talking about. The club director said that it sounded good to her and I should try it! The first show scared me to death. I was not sure I could memorize lines and was even more unsure that I could say them in front of an audience. As it turned out, I didn't have to memorize anything, we carry the script while we perform. We had so much rehearsal to prepare that speaking our lines became "muscle memory." Then I realized that there was more challenge than just repeating the lines. We were supposed to bring life to the author's words, and I had no idea how to do this. So, I watched how others performed. We often read parts of plays during our club meetings and I had ample opportunity to observe others. The show directors have a mental image of how the play should be performed and how they will instruct us. Slowly but surely, I began to learn how to turn a character into a living person. As I learned and practiced these skills, I discovered that this formed the basis of that interaction between actors and audiences that I had wondered about. I have been privileged to perform with the Ramona Hillside Players here in Hemet and Stratford Players in Idyllwild, because of the wonderful experience I have had here in Four Seasons Players. If you have any interest in participating in Community Theater, come play with us. You will be welcomed and be given the opportunity to pursue your interests. Theater is a fun experience and Four Seasons Players is a fun group! Four Seasons Players Greetings to our beloved audience from past and future performances! Please stay tuned next month for upcoming performance dates – we are working out those details now. This month – we'd love to share another Four Seasons Player BIO. Please join us in celebrating a pretty special member – Dick English. He has shared his inspiring story and insights with us, below. (Photo below is from a previous performance; Dick says he was honored to be on stage with Chrissy Pounders). Much thanks to Dick for sharing his story and for all his contributions to our club these past years. Look for him on the stage in upcoming performances! And remember – stay tuned for future performance updates! Club meetings are held the third Friday of each month at 1 pm in the Ballroom. Your interest and inquiries are always welcome - please call Victoria Tarabochia at (951) 473-3235.

• Cover