Wayland Holmberg, our eldest trouper, died on May 21, 2003, at the age of 83. She was in rehearsal (and knew all her lines!) up to the week before. Wayland was one of the original troupers, a world-class storyteller, and actually was a big part of Eliza's inspiration to create Encore. She performed in eight of the company's troupes, and her monologues were a high point of each one. We are blessed to have had her in the Encore family, and her spirit will always be with us.

I was born in Beverley Township, Arkansas in 1919 (actually I like to tell folks that it was Beverly Hills). My first job out of high school was lining caskets in a coffin factory, where I met my eventual husband. In 1939 we moved to southern California to make a home and raise a family. For several years during the fifties, my husband's work took us to live in Japan. I was blessed with two wonderful children and two grandchildren.

At 80 years of age, I am the oldest member of Encore. I have no other former acting experience, but I have done a little belly dancing! Encore is the joy of my life.