In a troupe made entirely out of seniors, forgotten lines and last-minute improvisations are to be expected.
Always interested in the performing arts, 68-year-old Debbie grew up singing, dancing and playing the piano on stage. She was particularly drawn to theatre productions and dramas she had seen at her church. Unfortunately, life had other plans and her passion was deferred then.
“I was generally interested in the performing arts,” she shares, “but in the 1960s and 70s, there weren’t many opportunities.” Therefore, when given the opportunity to pursue formal training via the Theatre for Seniors programme came up back in 2008, she jumped at the chance, enrolled and discovered her passion for acting.
The Theatre for Seniors (TFS) programme is a three-year senior theatre training programme launched in 2008 by The Necessary Stage (TNS). Debbie was one of the few invited to join after participating in a short theatre workshop. TFS was designed to train seniors aged 50 and above in various aspects of theatre production, including acting, directing, playwriting, stage management, and administration, under the guidance of theatre professionals.
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Credit: The Necessary Stage
Each year, the programme culminated in a performance for friends and family. TFS was a pioneering initiative in Singapore’s performing arts scene, aimed at engaging seniors who had limited opportunities for social interaction.
Ageless Theatre: An Unconventional Troupe
Credit: Debbie Lee
Ageless Theatre, a non-profit drama society for seniors, was then formed in May 2011 after Debbie and fellow seniors who graduated from the TFS programme felt that they should not let what they had learnt go to waste.
“Although we didn’t have any experience in a production, we just thought that we’ll try,” Debbie shares. As an unconventional senior-only theatre troupe where they handle every aspect of theatre productions, from scriptwriting to sound and lights, they have been pursuing their passion in the performing arts ever since.
Ageless Theatre currently has 14-15 active members (some of whom are graduates from the TFS programme) and focuses on original productions, often written collaboratively between members and professional playwrights.
Since the pandemic, however, they’ve shifted towards more manageable intergenerational projects, working with institutions like National University of Singapore (NUS) and Fei Yue Community Services. Rising production costs and logistical challenges have also made full-scale performances less frequent.
Credit: Debbie Lee
Debbie has since been with Ageless Theatre since its founding, juggling both being a part-time lecturer and theatre until she officially retired four years ago. Despite her busy schedule, she continues to act because of her passion for acting. She enjoys every moment being on stage, and it is something that brings her true joy.
Aside from being in the spotlight in these theatre productions, Debbie has also played roles beyond the stage. From contributing to storyline and script to even the sound and lighting, she is well-versed in the ins and outs of theatre production.
Putting together a show is definitely no easy feat. With seniors juggling memory, stamina and schedules, rehearsals span over six months, starting with practices once a week that ramp up to two or three times a week closer to the show date.
In comparison to professional productions which usually have a two-month rehearsal period, Ageless Theatre’s rehearsal period is significantly longer to ensure the seniors have ample time to practise and prepare. “As we age, we don’t want to rush through things,” Debbie explains.
Credit: Debbie Lee
As you can expect, Ageless Theatre rehearsals are unlike normal rehearsals, they aren’t tense or competitive. They are filled with laughter and smiles. Perhaps because they are here to just have fun and do what they enjoy, they do not feel immense pressure to be perfect.
"We always share plenty of laughs whenever we meet."
Unexpected Moments
Credit: Debbie Lee
Debbie described Ageless Theatre as a place where seniors are able to rediscover themselves, form strong friendships that become like a second family. She recalls funny and memorable moments such as cross-dressing for the first time as the Kitchen God, acting like a male gangster.
There were also memories of co-actors forgetting lines and this resulted in her having to improvise on the spot. Forgetting their lines and having to improvise even for actual performances “is quite common and it’s okay because we are seniors,” she says.
During one of the performances, her co-actor forgot to come onstage during a performance, which resulted in her having to think quickly on her feet.
Moments like these, she says with a grin, “would never happen in professional theatre.” But in an unconventional senior-only troupe like Ageless Theatre, flexibility and improvisation is necessary.
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Acting For Seniors
Behind The Scenes
Credit: Debbie Lee
For Debbie, theatre isn’t just about entertainment. Besides being able to be creative, learn new skills and help fellow actors on stage, Debbie also talks about how theatre can be used as a tool for cognitive engagement and memory exercise.
Memorising scripts, learning stage blocking and supporting fellow actors sharpens the mind and improves emotional and social well-being.
She acknowledges that she was nervous at first, but the community and confidence she gained made it all worthwhile. Reflecting on her life and retirement, Debbie stresses on the importance of trying new things after retirement.
"You never know what you might love."
She advises others who are retired or about to be.
Her guiding philosophy is simple yet powerful: to always look ahead.
Beyond The Stage
Apart from Ageless Theatre, the grandmother of two is active in her church’s youth and creative ministries, enjoys reading crime novels, eating out with friends and taking dance classes through the Singapore Association of Continuing Education (SACE).
Debbie credits her faith, family and a strong support system as foundations of her resilience and joy. She also expresses gratitude for her good health and ability to continue to serve and create.
Credit: Debbie Lee
Her advice to seniors going to the same life stage as her is to stay active, explore new hobbies, build community and nurture your curiosity.
"Even if we miss our lines sometimes."
Ageless Theatre is currently recruiting members! If you have a passion for the performing arts and are interested in joining, reach out to them at Agelesstheatre.sg@gmail.com to find out more.
