Improv Intensive! A workshop for everyone

Laugh and Learn with James Thomas Bailey, founder of ComedySportz Los Angeles

A one-day workshop for anyone who wants to be more confident in life. Great for high school and adult actors but you don’t have to be one. Explore the tools of improvisation - risk, spontaneity, listening, teamwork, trust, focus, story structure and their application. We provide a safe environment where participants are encouraged to take chances and stretch their abilities. Pick up skills for auditions, interviews, or even first dates!  Improv Intensive! isn’t about sports, and it’s not just for guys.

When: Saturday, February 12, 2011

Where: Boulders Conference Center, Denison, Iowa

Time: 9am to 4pm

Cost: $75 per person (Includes FREE admission to Friday, Feb. 11, 7pm performance of ComedySportz at the Donna Reed Theatre.)

To register, contact the Donna Reed Foundation

712-263-3334 or info@donnareed.org 
Contact Tim Tracy, managing director, for student group discounts at tim@donnareed.org

Download the workshop flyer 
Download a fillable registration form

Download the press release

Who Says Business Is No Laughing Matter?

Hottest Workshop Topic of 2010

 INNOVATION 3-D:  
Dream, Dare, Deal  
with James Thomas Bailey

Innovation is about CREATING unique and never-before-experienced situations. In the marketplace, innovation is taking risks and creating something new for the consumer by challenging yourself, those around you, and the current standards. It's increasing quality in products, processes and services by considering all possibilities. It takes being fearless, focused, and open to fantastic opportunities.

James Thomas Bailey, founder of ComedySportz Los Angeles

When: Friday, February 11, 2011

Where: Boulders Conference Center, Denison, Iowa

Time: 9am to noon

Cost: $40 per person (includes FREE admission to Friday, Feb. 11, 7pm performance of ComedySportz at the Donna Reed Theatre in Denison.)

To register, contact the Donna Reed Foundation

712-263-3334 or info@donnareed.org 
Download the workshop flyer
Download a client list
Download a fillable registration form

"It's a Wonderful Life" begins nine-day run at IFC Center in New York City

The IFC Center’s annual screening of the holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, kicked off December 17. This is the fifth year for the event and Donna Reed’s daughter, Mary Owen, was on hand to introduce the film. She will be in attendance again on Christmas Eve. Short films are screened before each feature and the Center will be showing a Christmas episode from The Donna Reed Show, "A Very Merry Christmas" starring Buster Keaton.

The IFC Center is a five screen, state-of-the-art cinema with luxurious seating and HD digital and 35mm projection that shows art-house films in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. The Center is donating a portion of the proceeds from the event to support the work of the Donna Reed Foundation.

Mary Owen appears on Leonard Lopate Show

Mary Owen, Donna Reed’s daughter, was a recent guest on the Leonard Lopate Show. During the interview she talked about the enduring appeal of Frank Capra’s, It’s a Wonderful Life. She also discussed growing up as the daughter of a famous actress, as well as the work of the Donna Reed Foundation in Denison, Iowa. Listen to the podcast.

Lopate's talk show airs on WNYC from noon to 2 pm every weekday, as well as on XM Satellite Radio Channel 133 from 4 pm to 6 pm (EST). Segments of the show are available as podcasts found on iTunes and on the station's website.

Gift helps send packages to military personnel

 
Holiday packages are on their way to area military personnel serving overseas, thanks in part to a $500 gift from United Bank of Iowa and the Donna Reed Foundation's Red Carpet event in October. Pictured from left are Tim Tracy, managing director of the Donna Reed Foundation; Mary Owen, Donna Reed's daughter; Dick Frank, Denison VFW; and LaDonna Christensen, United Bank of Iowa. -Courtesy of Denison Review   Photo by John Fujii

Free screenings of "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Donna Reed Theatre, December 19

See It's a Wonderful Life as it was meant to be viewed – on the big screen. On Sunday, December 19, the classic holiday movie, staring Denison native Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, will be shown twice – at 3:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. at the Donna Reed Theatre. Free admission.

Two displays related to the movie are now on exhibit at the Donna Reed Heritage Museum. A miniature replica of Bedford Falls returns to the front window for a limited showing. The HO scale replica was built by model building enthusiast from the Quad Cities area and, for several years, was displayed by the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center in Davenport, Ia. before being donated to the Donna Reed Foundation.

Also on display are movie-related items from the Donna Reed Collection. They include a letter to pen pal Violet Lindsey that mentions the upcoming filming of the movie; daily call sheets that detail what was involved in the filming of a various scenes; an invitation from director Frank Capra to a screening of the movie; and the review of the movie which appeared in Variety. Of particular interest are photos of a snow-making process developed especially for this film. The process replaced the practice of using painted cornflakes for falling snow.  

A Night on the Red Carpet, October 16

This year’s fundraiser served as a tribute to those who served in World War II and marked the 65th anniversary of it's end. The evening featured a dress-up dinner at the Boulders "Officer's Club", a 40's era "USO" themed show, a Walk on the Red Carpet at the Donna Reed Center, a screening of John Ford’s movie, They Were Expendable starring Donna Reed and John Wayne, and a dessert reception. Special guests at the event were Donna Reed’s children, Mary Owen and Tony Owen; and Patti Petersen from the Donna Reed Show.  

We thank all who attended for their support in perpetuating Donna's legacy of helping young artists and developing a cultural heritage in Denison.  Check out the photos.

Creating NBC's "30 Rock", September 24

What an unforgettable weekend workshop with Bellamy Forrest, Assistant Director for the hit show, 30 Rock, and Denison native, Nathan Stoll, Camera Operator and Producer in News and Television. Bellamy took us through the process of creating a 30 Rock production from script to finished show, breaking down key elements and better understanding production planning through an assistant director's eyes. Nathan explored the creative choices made from the collaboration of cinematographer and director including lighting, camera placement, lens choices, etc. and their impact on story telling. This was the first in a series of weekend workshops. Check out the photos.