PBS documentary follows Henderson resident Sandy Runkle

Henderson resident Sandy Runkle is expected to be featured in an upcoming PBS documentary called "Women and Girls Lead," which features empowering women in cities across the nation.

Carl Crum, a filmmaker with Brazos Film & Video, said the documentary follows women in five states who have overcome adversity and strive to make a difference in their communities or the lives of others.

"Some are often pigeonholed," Crum said. "They work in a profession where they are often marginalized."

Crum said that for some of the women, instead of being considered as the best in their respective industry - in which they rightfully deserve that title - they are referred to as the best female.

Runkle was one of seven women in the Las Vegas Valley, about 30 nationwide, who were followed for the documentary.

Other interviews spanned from a race car driver to a refugee from Somalia.

Crum was nominated for nine Emmy awards and won three for a 2011 PBS documentary series called "In A Square Mile," which followed people who lived in one square mile. They filmed in nine cities.

"This is the same concept, but we are focusing on women," Crum said.

The film crew was in Las Vegas for four days in August watching the participants work in their communities.

They followed Runkle's normal schedule of activities, which included playing bridge at a recreation center, conducting workshops for her theater group The Speeding Theatre - Over 55, writing an article for a monthly publication she contributes to and following her on a tour of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, where she volunteers.

"We will cut each interview down into three minutes," Crum said.

Along with everything the crew filmed, Runkle also volunteers by speaking about care provider services and working at Touro University Nevada as a practice patient.

"I pretend to be sick with symptoms for the students," Runkle said.

When selecting whose life to document, Vegas PBS, along with PBS and Independent Television Service, looked to find women who were making a difference.

Crum said Runkle's name was found in an article about The Speeding Theatre - Over 55.

Runkle got married and had five children by the time she was 24.

"All boys a year apart," Runkle said.

When her husband got sick and became disabled, Runkle knew every responsibility fell on her shoulders.

"They want to know why I am so strong," Runkle said. "When my husband became disabled, I had to take care of my family, and that made me strong. That formed me."

Runkle got a job as a court reporter, but she never lost her true passion for theater. Always fascinated by Las Vegas' entertainment options, Runkle started investing in properties in the city in 1988.

She moved here from Los Angeles shortly after she and her husband divorced.

Runkle met another man with whom she spent 10 years.

"Then he died," Runkle said. "I didn't have a big circle of friends."

To get more involved in the community, Runkle stumbled upon the Senior Adult Theatre Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The group allowed Runkle to start performing around town, which was a dream come true for her.

When Runkle received word that the theater group would be disbanded, she began to brainstorm a new idea. She came up with The Speeding Theatre - Over 55, which offers opportunities for adults to learn theater skills through workshops and by performing in community venues. The group conducts workshops at 11 a.m. Saturdays at Las Ventanas, 10401 W. Charleston Blvd.

"We have a big senior population, and they are more active than our parents were," Runkle said. "We've got to keep them involved and doing things. This is the entertainment capital of the world, and we have a lot of retired entertainers."

Runkle still doesn't know what will come of the documentary. Regardless, she is honored to be a part of it.

"I am really humbled," Runkle said.

Crum said the PBS special is expected to air this fall.

For more information, visit onesquaremile.tv.

For more information on the theater group, visit speedingtheatre.org.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.