By Laura McAlister
Journal Editor
Just because Rick Rivenbark is retired doesn’t mean he can’t pursue his childhood passion.
Rick, 74, first got involved with theater when he was in the third grade.
“I was in some school plays,” he said. “Then I got to be in a Stetson University play because they needed a child part. We considered that big time.”
Rick, now a resident of Galleria Woods in Hoover, would continue acting through college. But after graduation, his career as a clinical and forensic psychiatrist left little time for such hobbies.
Even after he retired and had more time, Rick didn’t give much thought to pursuing his love of acting. Throat cancer had taken much of his voice, so he didn’t think he was fit enough to perform anyway.
He was wrong.
In 1997, Rick was introduced to Birmingham’s Seasoned Performers, a senior citizens acting troupe. He was cast in a non-speaking role in a play and has been with the group ever since, even after another bout of throat cancer took even more of his voice.
“I don’t know if I’d say this was a lifesaver for me,” he said. “But (performing) was something that I thought was gone for me. I’ve been really grateful to the performers.”
The Seasoned Performers is a non-profit group; members range from skilled actors to amateurs. The only requirement for joining is age – you have to be at least 55 years old.
The group travels throughout the Jefferson County area giving original performances. They do plays as well as dramatic readings.
The dramatic reading division is the one Rick chose. Even though his voice was weak, he was still able to do the readings, thanks to a portable sound system.
“I did that from ’98-2003, and it was just great to be back doing what I really liked,” he said. “Then my throat cancer returned a third time, and the radiation really dropped my voice. I had to give up reading.”
But he didn’t have to give up the Seasoned Performers. Rick still works with the readers division, now more as a director and teacher. He’s also dabbled in writing a few of his own scripts for the group.
“I’m still active, and I’m still loving it,” he said. “I like being on the stage, but since I can’t do that, I like teaching. It’s not just reading. It’s really acting, kind of like the old radio shows.”
The readers meet once a week for rehearsals. The group performs about 70 times a year at nursing homes, schools, churches and clubs.
The performances aren’t the only thing that makes the Seasoned Performers special, Rick said. It’s also the camaraderie.
He and his wife Nova, who is also a member of the Seasoned Performers, host gatherings at their home with their fellow readers, and rehearsals often end with the readers going out the lunch.
“It’s really an intelligent, witty group of people,” Rick said. “We come from a variety of backgrounds. We could probably write a script every time we meet.”
For more information about the Seasoned Performers, visit www.seasonedperformers.org or call 978-5095.