American Icon Series Comes To Donna Reed Theatre in Denison, IA

Imagine spending an evening with American Icons Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Roosevelt, Barbra Streisand, and Abraham Lincoln – and seeing a live version of It’s A Wonderful Life.

The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts in Denison, Iowa, is creating that kind of exciting opportunity. The newly created “American Icon Series” features five “Chautauqua-style” events and runs from July, 2011 to February, 2012. The performances include two concerts, two historical re-enactments, and a live radio play.

Each performance will begin at 7 p.m. at the Donna Reed Theatre, 1305 Broadway, in downtown Denison, Iowa, home of The Donna Reed Foundation and Museum.

July 16, 2011 - “The Life and Times of Sinatra” 

September 10, 2011 - “Eleanor Roosevelt – In War and In Peace” 
October 1, 2011 - “Then and Now . . . The Artistry of Barbra Streisand” 
December 2 & 3, 2011 - “It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play” 
February 3, 2012 - "An Evening With President Lincoln"

* More about the performances.
* More about the artists.
* Ticket Order Form.

Tickets can be obtained by calling The Donna Reed Foundation at 712-263-3334, by e-mail at info@donnareed.org or by downloading and mailing the ticket order form.

1998 Scholarship Winner Is New Traffic Reporter

KCCI TV launched its new morning "Beat the Traffic" report with former Sioux City television personality Jackie Schmillen anchoring the segment alongside a new interactive high-definition traffic map.

The former actress "has the perfect blend of passion, personality and enthusiasm to go with a great understanding of Central Iowa's traffic flow," said KCCI general manager Paul Fredericksen in a statement announcing her hiring.

Schmillen, a Cherokee native, received a Donna Reed Foundation scholarship in 1998. She appeared in regional theater productions in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida and North Carolina, until five years ago when she joined Pappas Telecasting stations KMEG and KPTH in Sioux City, where she promoted local events.

Area Seniors Awarded Performance Scholarships

The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts has awarded four scholarships to graduating seniors who have participated in the performing arts during their high school careers. 

Awarded $1,000 scholarships are:
Shannon Barondeau of Denison, a graduate of Denison-Schleswig High School, who will be majoring in Theater at Simpson College starting this fall.
Andrew Berger of Westside, a graduate of Ar-We-Va High School, who will be majoring in Theater Arts at the University of Iowa beginning this fall.

Awarded $500 scholarships are:
Alison Ranniger of Manning, a graduate of IKM-Manning High School, who will be majoring in Art at Central College beginning this fall.
Taylor Schillerberg of Denison, a graduate of Denison-Schleswig High School, who will be majoring in engineering at Iowa State University in the fall.

To qualify for these scholarships, a student must be a graduate of a Crawford County high school and have acted in or have been a part of the tech crew for at least two drama productions during their high school career. Preference is given to students who plan to pursue a degree in the dramatic performing arts, however, this is not required in order to be considered for the scholarships.

The Foundation’s scholarship program is co-sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, Crawford County Trust and Savings Bank, and Bank Iowa.