A 'Bittersweet' Change for Malvern Prep's Roper

In 1976, Richard Roper took on the role of director of 's theater troupe, the Cap and Bonnet Society. Over 35 years, the Society, which includes boys from Malvern Prep and girls from Villa Maria Academy and Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, has taken on a new name, a new venue and many more fans. After 68 performances, Roper has decided to step down as director of the Malvern Theatre Society.

Saturday's performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will mark the end of Roper's directorial career at Malvern Prep. He will remain at the school as an English teacher and counselor. Patch caught up with Roper to discuss the end of an era.

Patch: When did you make the decision to step down as director?

Roper: I've been struggling with it for couple years now.  I can’t point to any one moment.  It was a question of looking at myself, physically, so I could remain in good health. 

Patch: How does it feel to know this weekend will be your last show?

Roper: I feel very bittersweet about the whole thing.  It will be so hard not to have these kids under my charge next year. I'll have to get used to a detouring system, not going up to theater every day after school. ... I'm glad I’m able to finish with a show that has so many happy smiles onstage.

Patch: Do you have any second thoughts about stepping down?

Roper: I think I’ve made the right choice in cutting back a little bit for myself.  Each of my jobs has gotten more complicated over the last several years.

Patch: Did you ever work with Malvern Prep alum and television star David Boreanaz?

Richard Roper: When Dave came through Malvern, he was more involved in sports. He was a major football player. ... I didn’t get the opportunity to work with him as an actor. The program at that time was considerably smaller, so it was difficult to balance major athletic involvement. I didn’t get to direct him, which maybe was to his benefit.

Patch: How many students are involved in this performance of "Dreamcoat?"

Roper: We have a cast of about 70, and a crew of probably about the same.

Patch: How was turnout for the opening last weekend?

Roper: Turnout has been wonderful. We had a crowd of about 400 people Friday, 450 Saturday. That bodes well for the way ticket sales should go for closing weekend. It's a far cry from 35 years ago. We were lucky to have 10 or 15 people, and most of them were parents.

Patch: What's it like putting on shows at Duffy Arts Center?

Roper: Absolutely incredible. I loved Vasey Hall, which Duffy replaced. It was very intimate, held maybe 385 audience members. [But] it was confining from the standpoint of wingspace and backstage space, which made it difficult to work. ... The Duffy Center has a complete catwalk system, lighting grid, fly system. It lent a whole new dimension to what we can do technically. ... The kids operate the whole system. Kids being what they are, they know a lot more about it initially than we might. We have plenty of adults supervising to make sure they don’t blow each other up. 

Patch: Any plans to retire from teaching, too?

Richard Roper: Absolutely not. I'm not going anywhere. Malvern’s a great place to be. ...  I should mention that the theater parents are absolutely spectacular, so supportive of the kids, me and the entire staff. My family has been awesome too. All three of my daughters were involved in shows.

Patch: Any ideas for how you'll spend all your newfound free time?

Richard Roper:  I've been told there are a few projects around the house I can work on.