Volunteer Spotlight: Jerilyn Dufresne
If you’ve spent any time around QCT, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the unforgettable Jerilyn Dufresne. A world traveler who always finds her way back to Quincy (and to QCT), Jerilyn has spent her career helping others as a behavioral health therapist and social worker. She’s also the bestselling author of the Sam Darling Mysteries, a series set right here in Quincy. At 78 (and proud of it), Jerilyn continues to work part-time simply because she loves it. We are pleased to feature her as September’s Spotlight Volunteer!
How did you first become involved with QCT?
It wasn’t QCT back then. It was QLT in 1960, and I’d just watched my dad perform in You Can’t Take It With You at the Art Barn, so I auditioned for the next show—The Happy Time—which needed a 12-year-old girl. That’s all it took. I found my joy. In 1984, I played Rose Benjamin in God’s Favorite, a Neil Simon comedy. Such fun. I left Quincy several times and kept coming back. Although I’ve performed in Hawaii, Georgia, Wisconsin, Las Vegas, and Hollywood, there’s no place like QCT.
What has been your most memorable moment working on a QCT project?
There are so many. Singing “Feed the Birds” in Mary Poppins was certainly one of them. I got teary-eyed nearly every night. Dancing in Hello, Dolly! when my partner almost fell into the orchestra pit. Singing in Mame. One of my memorable moments was being the Goblin King in The Hobbit. Imagine a woman in her 70s getting to sword fight and die on stage. Not tragic, but comedically delightful!
If you could play any role in any play or musical, what would it be and why?
I’d love to play one of the characters in Come From Away—my favorite musical. If age weren’t an obstacle, I’d be Maria in The Sound of Music and Anita in West Side Story. And I guess I’d have to be a soprano as well.
You’ve been an active member of the Act II Players from the beginning. What drew you to be involved?
I took a class in Readers’ Theater, and I was hooked. So enjoyable and educational. Plus, I get to write a lot of the sketches. All the members have become friends. I just love it.
Tell us about your upcoming writer’s workshop!
I’m really excited about this, too. Even though I’m a social worker, I have 10 murder mysteries published. I enjoy sharing the love of writing with young people. I’ve even written a play with prisoners in maximum security. What joy! I can’t wait for classes to start in October..
If QCT could produce any show with an unlimited budget, what would you choose and why?
Hamilton, of course. I saw it on Broadway, all alone. And fell in love. If we’re billionaires, let’s do Miss Saigon too. We’d have to take off the roof so the helicopter could get in, but what’s a few million between friends? My daughter is from Vietnam, and I cried through the whole thing when I saw it on Broadway.
What’s one thing you wish the audience knew about what goes on behind the scenes?
I think most people don’t realize the amount of work that goes into a production. In a musical, the actors and crew work for eight weeks to get the production ready for an audience. However, even before that, the director, stage manager, prop manager, sound and light designers, tech director, carpenters, builders, painters, costumer, sewers, and many others are working to make sure the program is really good. The people who work “front of house” are integral to a show’s success as well. Box Office, ticket scanning, and ushers are others who contribute.
Is there any area of volunteering that you haven’t tried yet, but would like to?
I’ve helped in the office, painted, scanned, ushered, quick-changed, and of course, acted. I wouldn’t mind helping with stage managing.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering at QCT?
This may be trite, but “Just do it.” There are so many slots to fill. We need you. It’s wonderful to be part of a production, no matter which role you’re in.