It’s never too late to step onto a stage.

Or at least that seems to be the message behind organizing a new branch of the Webster City Community Theatre — WCCT, with the “Over the Speed Limit Players.”

Their first gathering will be Sunday afternoon, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m. to read through a script of “Fiddler on the Roof.” All are welcome to join in reading this play together.

This troupe is designed for performers who are 55 years of age and over, according to Loween Getter, who is organizing this effort.

“For years I’ve been aware of senior theatre activities,” said Getter. “It’s always been of interest to me to get something started like this.”

This new branch of WCCT is intended to allow veteran actors, retirees or those who may have wanted to participate — but worried about memorization and rehearsals — to do so.

During the Reader’s Theatre on Sunday, participants will be reading through a slightly altered script from the familiar stage production. According to Getter, adjustments have been made to the script and music to reduce the play to about an hour run-time.

“When I went to the state festival up in Forest City last summer, there was a guy there from Lincoln who did a lot of the initial workshops on it, where they took the scripts and tried to make it work for older actors,” said Getter.

Music Theatre International (MTI) introduced broadway junior musicals several years ago for casts of kids 18 years of age and under.

“We’ve had so much success with the junior productions through MTI,” said Getter.

Recently, MTI introduced the senior genre for older adults. Its first offerings include “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Singing in the Rain,” “Music Man” and “Into the Woods.”

WCCT will introduce this new concept to members of the Iowa Community Theatre Association when they host its state convention March 27 and 28.

According to Getter, the “Over the Speed Limit Players” will learn theatre basics, read scripts, perform short skits, one act and full plays and radio plays for their own enjoyment or to entertain on the theatre’s stage and at other local venues.

“There is a senior theatre resource center catalog, and they have all kinds of scripts and educational materials for people to use,” she said, “There are short plays and long plays.”

Veteran actors and anyone who has ever wanted to be part of theatre is welcome to join. Senior theatre allows players the option of memorizing lines and lyrics and a shorter rehearsal period.

“As I’ve gotten older, it became more important to me,” said Getter, who has been active with WCCT for nearly 40 years.

The challenges of finding scripts that have characters for older actors, or individuals who can’t memorize like they did when they were younger, prompted this approach.

“People think they don’t have a place any more,” she said.

The reading of this play will begin at 3 p.m. in the lower level of the theatre. Participants are invited to bring a snack to share and their own beverage.

Performances will range from readers theatre to staged readings or full shows.

For more information, Getter invites individuals to text her at 515-297-0846.