Inaugural play from Dove features pair of North York residents

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Aiming to dissolve stereotypes older women face, Dove's inaugural play Body and Soul featuring 12 real women - including two from North York - takes to the stage in May.

The play, which cast women with no acting experience, hopes to change the way society views aging and beauty and to inspire women to realize their potential.

After reading a newspaper ad, Rhonda Tepper decided to audition for a role in Body and Soul and, to her delight, was selected.

"The ad said they were looking for women over 45 to submit pieces of writing, letters they had written to their bodies," said Tepper, 48. "I thought it was an irresistible topic. I felt very inspired by the subject."

The mother of two who teaches autistic and deaf children, has suffered from hearing loss since her late teens. Two years ago, doctors were able to restore 80 per cent of her hearing by inserting a cochlear implant.

"I think every woman after the age of 45, whether minor or more important, has issues with her body," Tepper said.

The 12 women in Body and Soul tell a series of monologues taken from different points in their lives, she added.

"We are all very diverse and from different parts of the country and different cultures," she said. "Some stories might make you laugh, some might make you cry, some you can relate to."

Tepper feels the media glorifies youth and emphasis is lacking on aging gracefully and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

"If you watch television or read a magazine it speaks for itself," she said. "I don't think anytime soon that will turn inside out or upside down. A part of you still feels 19 and it's the 19-year-old in a 50-year-old's body who feels the tendency to flirt. You really can't fight time and age.

"It feels good to be where I am."

According to Dove, 91 per cent of women globally believe the media needs to do a better job of representing realistic images of women over age 50.

Born into a Trinidadian family of 12 of East Indian descent and raised as a Hindu, Polly Clarke credits yoga and golf for keeping her young.

The 63-year-old retired high school teacher said she was a tad surprised when she was chosen to be part of Body and Soul.

"I can write reasonably well, but it was a total surprise with the audition part because I didn't think I present as well as I write," Clarke said.

Clarke, who moved to Canada in the 1970s from Trinidad, said older people are respected for their knowledge and wisdom in her culture. "I was brought up to believe my great-grandmother was the greatest person on Earth," she said.

Clarke said the media reflects cultural trends, such as anti-aging.

"Even older actresses have a hard time getting roles," she said. "It's much more than the media. We revere youth. There is nothing wrong with enhancing your appearance and looking the best you can but it's not a concealer. I'm 63 but people say I don't look 63. You should think and act the way you feel. It's the way you project yourself."

Clarke believes people want to hold on to their youth to remember the best times in their lives, but she feels the best time is now.

"I want to grow old gracefully," she said.

Body and Soul runs May 10 to 17 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill St. For tickets, call 416-866-8666.