Barbara Barkan is a familiar face to
local theater-goers, having appeared onstage in numerous productions with the Toledo Repertoire Theater, the Village Players, and the Actors Collaborative Toledo. She also has directed many local plays. Mature Living News caught up with the busy thespian for a quick Q&A.
Are you a native Toledoan?
I am a transplant—New York via
Detroit to Toledo. Arrived in Toledo late 1968. Within days of moving here I auditioned at the Toledo Rep and both of us are still here!
What was your first job?
My love, no, my passion for theater started in first grade. I was cast as Mrs. Santa Claus in our holiday class play. No audition then. I was cast because I was the tallest girl in my class (lucky me!). Now casting is a bit more involved.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Toledo?
Hmm, how can one pick one favorite restaurant? Picking a favorite entree maybe. Then that takes me to many of the fine ones here in Toledo like Beirut, Sakura, Basin Street, Mancy’s Italian…
Do you have any secrets to aging gracefully? Give us your health, diet or lifestyle tips.
Aging gracefully but with verve! Live in the present moment. Past is past and the future isn’t here yet. Love what you do (be it golfing, acting, bowling, surfing…) I eat right, do simple yoga and breathe. I practice mindful meditation, then enjoy a double chocolate malt at the DQ. Having become a mother much later in life, my fabulous daughter keeps me young and challenged. What fun!
Words to live by?
Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting “Holy s–t, what a ride!”
