by Tara Lynn Johnson

On life’s stage, Carol Thompson has played (among others) the parts of daughter, sister, student, therapist, wife (she likes that last one a lot). But one of her favorite parts to play has always been Actor.

She does so frequently and happily at smaller regional theaters. This month, she stars as Lotty in the Actors’ NET of Bucks County production of “Enchanted April,” April 19th through May 12th.

Lotty is a nickname for Charlotte, which she prefers. Her husband does not.

“That gives you a little flavor of the relationship between them,” Carol said.

It’s London, 1922. Lotty’s a tired, frustrated and depressed housewife. She meets another, Rose, and they become friends. The two see an ad offering a month in an Italian villa. Lotty insists they go and they find two other women to make the trip affordable. The group sets off for sunnier skies, with no husbands allowed. When they arrive, a transformation begins.

“Lotty is overwhelmed by the beauty of [Italy]. She realizes she needs to share this with her husband, which comes as a shock to the other ladies,” said Carol, who lives in New Hope.

Without giving away the ending, Carol reveals that the play affirms the love between husbands and wives, as well as female friendship, connecting with others, letting go of grief and going forward in love.

Carol’s performance as Lotty is just her latest – she has been acting most of her life.

“Does ‘The Great Pumpkin’ in sixth grade count?” she said.

Carol, who comes from a long line of Presbyterian ministers and teaching missionaries, was born in Cairo and lived there with her parents (dad taught at a seminary and mom taught at a girls’ college) until she was 12 and the family moved to Princeton, N.J.

Her parents always took her to the theater. She credits that with her lifelong love of the stage. After high school, Carol planned to return to Cairo for college. Her parents suggested she stay in the U.S. so she visited a friend at the University of Wisconsin and liked its open atmosphere and large international community, she said.

She majored in philosophy first, then theater. After graduation, she went to Berlin, Germany, to teach English and to study dance and theater. She returned to Wisconsin for her master’s in counseling psychology.

As a therapist, she utilized theater therapy and psychodrama. She also has worked for non-profits and as a voiceover performer. But theater has been a constant in her life.

And for more than 10 years, her husband, George Hartpence, who directs “Enchanted April,” has been a constant, too. He also has been her frequent acting partner.

At Actors’ NET of Bucks County and other local theaters, the couple has performed in “My Fair Lady,” “Love Letters,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “The Sound of Music” and more.

This is the first time George is directing her, though.

“Carol has an amazing range and a charismatic attraction,” he said. “Carol is also surrounded by an equally talented and creative cast of actors.”

She agrees.

“I feel so fortunate. We have such a great cast. I’m delighted to work with them,” she said.

And she loves bringing theater to local communities, especially through Actors’ NET, an actor-driven, not-for-profit regional theater company, which performs at the Heritage Center on Delmorr Avenue in Morrisville.

“Theater is a community experience where you’re in the moment and experiencing the story unfold,” she said. “It can change people’s lives and bring people together.”

To make that happen, she focuses on one goal, which she repeats to herself: “Just tell the story.” That’s what actors do. And Carol hopes to keep playing the role of Actor for many years to come.

“Enchanted April,” performed by Actors’ NET of Bucks County, at The Heritage Center Theatre, 635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, runs April 19th through May 12th.

Tickets: $20; ages 62 and older $17; ages 12 and younger $10; group rates available.

For info call 215-295-3694 or visit www.actorsnetbucks.org.