Susan Wefel has worked and lived at Hedgerow Theater in Rose Valley since 1978.

She was able to do so under a unique policy that let resident actors live on the grounds in a building called Hedgerow House, writes Sabrina Boyd-Surka for KYW Newsradio.

Then in 2021, the board of directors, facing pandemic financial challenges, changed that policy to short-term stays only.

Since then, Wefel, 74, has been fighting to stay. She performs in shows, has been in charge of the commissary, props, and was on the board of directors.

“At the time in the 70s, it was generally thought that if you were going to devote your life to this theater … you would have room and board for life,” she said.

The theater board has offered to help her find housing, but those offers so far have been for senior housing, Wefel said, adding she isn’t ready for the “old folks home.”

Still at Hedgerow House for now, Wefel had initially been told she had to vacate her room by the end of August.

Penelope Reed, former Hedgerow executive director, said Wefel had been given three years to transition to new housing.

Read more about Susan Wefel and her unique Hedgerow Theater housing situation at KYW Newsradio.