Art in Motion: Actress Marion Rogers

Tara A. Spears

The natural beauty of coastal Mexico is the stimulus for many creative types that come to the area to relax and craft their art. Jaltemba Bay is a perfect backdrop for the passion and creativity of actress and theater director, Marion Rogers. Her vibrant intelligence underscores her humanitarian projects, volunteering, and performance.

Marion became aware of music and theater as a child in New York City. “I attended my first professional musical at age five,” said Marion. “Living in NYC provided easy access to the Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Besides, my father was a director in community theaters.” She acted in her first play at age 8 and continued participating in plays throughout her school years. In Marion’s university studies she learned about all aspects of theater including the role of the director. Eventually Marion completed a Master of Arts in Theater but continued to take professional pedagogical training courses, including a course at the Second City Theater Center in Toronto. During the years that Marion was raising a family she lived in Edmonton, Alberta and Ontario.

It was on several vacations to Jaltemba Bay that she and husband Jeff Rogers, fell in love with the area. In 2002 they purchased a home in La Penita. “Since 2007 we started spending all winter here. From that point on we’ve been here more or less full time.” The gregarious couple soon got involved in several of the area non-profit groups. Marion still is helping Rotary distribute food to those out of work due to the pandemic. While helping at the food kitchen, “I thought, we should plant a community garden to provide food for the people.” Towards that goal Marian has applied for permission to use local ejido land.

Like many talented thespians, Marion has a wide range of acting credits ranging from school plays to community playhouse productions. Marion feels the greatest childhood influences were seeing live performances and her Jewish culture. “The magic of theater is that it is an opportunity to suspend reality and live one’s emotions without fear… The theater is enormously important towards getting to know yourself and vicariously assess one’s perceptions and values. I was exposed to many productions in the sixties with regard to the Jewish people, the holocaust, Israel. I have observed the positive influence of these stories on the non-Jewish population, and thus the power of the theater to guide the thoughts of the world in general. No doubt I dreamed of playing many of the roles in these stories …”

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That’s what makes theatre live. Actors must be able to imagine, to lose themselves to become the character, have passion and energy that reaches the audience to pull them into the emotion of the story. Possessing charisma, presence and enthusiasm are the qualities that make a standout actor. All the people who became famous on stage or screen, bring a great enthusiastic energy into the room and that enthusiasm is contagious, it spreads to the other people, it ignites the room or viewer. That is true acting talent.

Marion recognizes that for an actor to ‘make it’ in the commercial world requires dedication, intelligence and artistic talent. But even those qualities won’t get the actor roles without self-promotion via a good agent. “But that (being a professional actress) was never my goal; for me it was to have fun and educate people and learn life lessons.” That’s where community theater fulfilled Marion’s desire to entertain with raising four children.

Throughout her life Marion has been devoted to several social issues: the opportunities for women, global health care, and improving life for dogs and cats. “I have been involved in programs to initiate activities to promote young girls in math, science and sports in several countries; it was very rewarding to be a part of founding a health center in Africa, a theatre in Ontario and a synagogue in Edmonton.” Continuing her altruism into retirement, Marion is a regular volunteer at the Jaltemba Bay Animal Spay and Neuter clinics and the proud mom of two rescue dogs.

Since living in Jaltemba Bay, Marion has combined her enjoyment of acting with supporting other causes. Marion and her husband Jeff have produced several plays that are held in a local restaurant. These well received performances are solely voluntary actors. The proceeds of the ticket sales are donated to local non-profits such as the Cancer de Mama Clinic. Anyone that is interested in participating, contact Marion via Facebook or cell 322 318 5932 or email marionrogers@prodigy.net.mx

Marion directs as well as acts in the Penita Players performances. She chooses plays that express cultural issues while entertaining. “Jeff loves improve and is constantly searching for a fresh new play for us to present.” According actress Patricia Ryan Madson: “The practice of improvisation (in contrast to that of painting) teaches something that we are hungry to understand: how to be in harmony with one another and how to have fun. We practice improvisation not only to ‘express ourselves’ but to connect with others in a more immediate way.”

Marion feels that she has evolved her acting skills over the years by choosing character roles. “It’s important to present flesh and blood people by avoiding stereotypes. Evaluating what each character says about themselves, evaluating the actions indicated by the author, evaluating what other characters say about yours… it takes time to learn. And practice, practice, practice!”

For acting, there has to be an innate talent which

is your ability to put yourself in the skin of another character, to use your imagination. But it is having performance experience that develops the talent to the next level. The community is fortunate to have an experienced, professional actress/director Marion Rogers to organize this style of entertainment. We all benefit!

Acting should be part of our education, of making society better and that’s why there is dignity in the profession of being an actor. Society needs more individuals with intelligence, drive and passion to communicate with others through performing arts. The pursuit of artistic expression –in any form- benefits the individual and society. “Without wonder and insight, acting is just a business. With it, acting becomes creation.” – Bette Davis

Thank you Marion and Jeff for gifting our community with the Penita Players!

To learn more about the Penita Players or to act, Contact Marion via Facebook or cell 322 318 5932 or email marionrogers@prodigy.net.mx