CBS Sunday Morning will feature Donna Reed story

Letters for the Boys airs Sunday, December 24, 2017

Martha Teichner reports on how Hollywood star Donna Reed contributed to the war effort during World War II, by sharing letters with American troops and entertaining service members at the fabled Hollywood Canteen, and how her messages from the homefront are being remembered today.

Preliminary research was done by producer Amy Wall and correspondent Teichner, who spent a day in Denison in August. They left with six hours of footage of interviews and seldom seen artifacts from the archives. They also interviewed Mary Owen, Donna Reed's daughter, at her home in New York City.

Watch the episode

Donna Reed National Scholar Returns To Her Kansas Roots With ‘Dorothy And The Wizard Of Oz’

Kari Wahlgren plays Dorothy on the
new animated 'Dorothy and the Wizard
of Oz' series on the Boomerang Network.

Voice Actor Kari Wahlgren, 1995 award recipient in acting/vocal from Hoisington, KS, voices the role of Dorothy

BURBANK, CALIF. -- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s series has announced that their series, Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz: We’re not in Kansas Anymore - Season One, Vol. One will be available in March on both DVD and Digital DVD.

The story centers on the adventures of Dorothy after she and her friends defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. Packed with memorable melodies, iconic Oz imagery (and of course her Ruby Slippers) that are sure to delight fans of the beloved children’s book series by L. Frank Baum and the classic film The Wizard of Oz, the series follows Dorothy after she’s named Princess of Emerald City by Queen Ozma. Dorothy embraces her royal duties with enthusiasm, bravery and farm-girl feistiness.

The voice cast includes Kari Wahlgren (Bunnicula) as Dorothy and Queen Ozma, Jess Harnell (Animaniacs) as Lion, JP Karliak (New Looney Tunes) as Tin Man, Bill Fagerbakke (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Scarecrow and Jessica DiCicco (DC Super Hero Girls) as Wilhelmina.

Read more.

Former Donna Reed Scholarship recipient has new film in post-production

Jeff Tomsic

Jeff Tomsic was 1995 Iowa Scholarship recipient in film

Jeff Tomsic has a new Warner Bros. movie in post production that he directed. Tag is based on a true story that was featured in The Wall Street Journal about a group of friends who have been playing a no-holds-barred version of the children’s game Tag for the last 30 years. Mark Steilen and Rob McKittrick penned the script. The movie is scheduled for release on June 15, 2018.

Watch the trailer
See more of his work.

Classic Christmas Weekend in Denison, IA

Popular Performer Returns

“Gray Matter” to headline Halloween Indie Film Night

Scene from Gray Matter

Free screening at the Donna Reed Theater

On Saturday, October 28, the public is invited to a free screening of short independent horror films at the Donna Reed Theater. The free event will be headlined by the short film “Gray Matter,” which was shot in Charter Oak and Denison during October.

The film features Charter Oak resident Terri Meadows, Vail native Ryan Gangestad and Denison resident Michael Phipps. The horror film is about a woman (Meadows) who checks on a neighbor and soon finds herself in a life-threatening situation.

The program begins at 7 p.m. Saturday and will run about an hour. Admission is free and concessions will be available for purchase. Free-will donations to the Donna Reed Foundation will be accepted.

Audience members are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to the event.

Read the entire Denison Bulletin article here.

In the Blood, Starring Saycon Sengbloh, Opens Off-Broadway

Saycon Sengbloh (Jean Marcus)

1966 Donna Reed Foundation national scholarship winner

The Off-Broadway revival of Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks’ In the Blood, directed by Sarah Benson, officially opened September 17 at the Signature Theatre. The production is part of the Signature’s Red Letter Plays, two plays that offer contemporary riffs on The Scarlet Letter.

In the Blood introduces us to Hester La Negrita, played by Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Saycon Sengbloh, a penniless mother of five condemned by the men who love her. Hester turns to former lovers, friends, and the institutions meant to support her, only to be spurned by them all with devastating consequences. The play forms a haunting and powerful indictment of the way we live now.

Jared Grimes Shares Music Video for New Single 'Hang Awhile'

Jared Grimes

2001 Donna Reed Foundation national scholarship recipient in dance.

Jared Grimes premieres his 4th single and music video, 'Hang Awhile', and it is sure to get your foot tapping! In the Broadway World known more for his virtuosic tap dancing skills, Jared Grimes has slowly but surely let audiences know why Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire are his idols. With his energetic pop jazz sound and catchy lyrics, Grimes has proven that he can entertain with more than just his tap shoes. His new song and music video, 'Hang Awhile', excitingly pays homage to past tap legends while providing a new flare reminiscent of artist such as Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown.

Jared is currently choreographing the musical Holler If You Hear Me with Kenny Leon. He is then choreographing 42nd street at Drury Lane Chicago with Michael Heitzman, and then after that, he will be choreographing The Scottsboro Boys with Joe Calarco at the Signature Theater in DC.

Read entire Broadway World article

Watch Hang Awhile video

1996 Donna Reed Foundation national scholarship winner cast in pilot

Saycon Sengbloh

Saycon Sengbloh (Scandal) has signed on for a series-regular role in the Fox pilot, “Controversy,” by Sheldon Turner.

In “Controversy,” the Junior Counsel of a prestigious Illinois university must deal with an out-of-control scandal when a young co-ed accuses several star football players of sexual assault. From the football coaches and boosters who wield outsize influence, to a university administration under siege, the series explores the type of high-profile controversy all-too familiar on today’s college campuses, as well as the corrosive, dangerous nature of institutional power.

Sengbloh will play Ava, a cop who worked her way up to being a detective and is investigating several football players accused of assault.

Sengbloh was nominated for a Tony Award for the Broadway production of Eclipsed and currently recurs on Scandal.

Tonic Sol Fa returns to Denison, IA

A cappella group will appear at Donna Reed Theatre

Tonic Sol Fa, a popular Minnesota-based a cappella group, will appear at the Donna Reed Theatre in Denison, Iowa on July 27 for a 7:30 performance.

The trio has established itself as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest and one of the most successful independent acts in America. The group has toured extensively throughout the US and abroad. In addition, CD sales of its own independent releases has passed the two million mark.

The group reached national prominence with appearances on NBC’s Today Show and in Newsweek magazine. Along the way, they shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers including Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy and Lonestar, and were recently part of Garrison Keillor’s 30th Anniversary celebration of A Prairie Home Companion. 

General admission tickets for the 7:30 pm performance are $20 for adults and $10 for students. They can be obtained by calling the Donna Reed Theater in Denison, Iowa at 712-263-3334 or by e-mail at info@donnareed.org. The Donna Reed Theater is located at 1305 Broadway in uptown Denison, Iowa.

"Annie KIDS" Is Coming To Denison, IA, June 12-17, 2017

2017 CMT Production

The popular Broadway musical “Annie” has captivated audiences around the world and now it comes to life during our June workshop.

This summer's Children's Musical Theater workshop production is the popular “Annie KIDS.” This fun-filled week is designed to teach the basics of musical theater to kids in grades K-8 who love singing, dancing and challenges. The workshop runs from June 12 – 16 and concludes with a performance for the public on Saturday, June 17. All events will take place at the high school, 819 North 16th St in Denison. 

Since its meager beginning in 2004, this popular workshop has blossomed under the direction of Allison Rasmussen, a Manilla native and instructional coach at Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools. This is her eleventh year of volunteering to head this workshop production. She is assisted by a dedicated team which now includes former students. All give a week of their time to help stage the production. 

Even local grandparents have discovered a benefit. They can spend a week of quality time with their grandchildren by inviting them for a visit and enrolling them in the workshop. 

Get a registration blank

* download a fillable pdf version to mail.

* download Versión Española to mail.

* email info@donnareed.org

* call 712.263.3334

* stop at The Donna Reed Foundation, 1305 Broadway, Denison, IA

Don't Miss Out On The Fun

Cowboy Brad Fitch brings the music of John Denver to Denison, Iowa.

"Cowboy Brad" Fitch, Estes Park, CO

Tribute show is Friday, March 24 at 7:30 pm

Join “Cowboy Brad” Fitch as he celebrates the music, messages, and memories of the great John Denver. You will be moved by his renditions of Denver’s classic melodies, performed with reverence, joy, and a lot of fun. From “Rocky Mountain High” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to “Annie’s Song,” this is an event not to be missed.

Raised in Estes Park, Colorado, this singer, songwriter and guitarist has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old. He has recorded 19 albums featuring his original music that reflects what he loves about nature and the western lifestyle.

Reserved seating tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Donna Reed Foundation office by calling 712-263-3334 or by e-mail at info@donnareed.org. The Donna Reed Theater is located at 1305 Broadway in uptown Denison, Iowa.

Money raised by the concert will go toward the maintenance and operation of the Donna Reed Theater building.