ATP Spotlight Feature - Sue Austin

 

Sue Austin:  Born Entertainer

From the earliest days of Aged To Perfection Readers’ Theatre, Sue Austin has been one of its most energetic and active supporters.  

Born in a Fort Worth, Texas heat wave on August 25, 1943, she grew into a middle schooler who was frequently creating “plays and shows” with friends on her block. She had watched the Sound of Music over and over and tried to perform a mini version in her garage. The cast certainly thought it was a hit!
Austin retired in 2006 from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where she was Senior Director of Recruitment and Retention—a position that also included other health care systems and clinical sites. From there she found her way back to Traverse City where she had once worked as a social worker at Grand Traverse Area Adult Mental Health Services.

With encouragement from another ATP founder, she attended one of its early performances in 2011 and like many participants, became “hooked”.  It wasn’t long before Austin became an active participant in reader’s theatre development at the Old Town Playhouse. 

Austin had many roles over the years. The Soothsayer was one of her very favorites. She also enjoyed the sound effects which in those early days, had to be produced by the cast. She remembers one slight glitch when a cap gun failed to fire. Her dramatic death scene was instead punctuated by her acting partner simply yelling, “Bang!”

“Working with ATP brought such joy,” Austin reflects, adding  “We couldn’t get enough of those moments when audiences showed appreciation for our shows.”

Austin acknowledges that readers theatre not only generated a lot of fun and laughter, but provided many opportunities to take risks, develop skills, and participate in events at the OTP Gala or other community locales.  

Although currently Austin is unable to be a full-time participant, she continues to show interest and support for ATP’s success. Karen McCosky, coordinator for the group, says, “We offer thanks and gratitude for her involvement and wish her the best in all her adventures.”