Second Annual "AMERICAN ICON SERIES" Returns to the Donna Reed Theater With An Iowa Focus

Spend an evening with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, hear the life story of George Washington Carver, enjoy a live stage version of “It’s A Wonderful Life", relive the Johnny Carson Show, and then celebrate Iowa’s Music and Musicians.

That’s the lineup of shows The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts has in store for you as part of the second annual “American Icon Series – Focus On Iowa”. The series features five “Chautauqua-style” events and runs from September, 2012 to March, 2013. The performances include two concerts, a live radio play, and two living history re-enactments, all featuring icons with Iowa ties. 

 

September 21, 2012 - “The World Famous GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA” in concert.
October 12, 2012 - “The Story of GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER” with Paxton Williams
November 30 and December 1, 2012 - “It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play”
February 9, 2013 - “HERE'S JOHNNY!” with Jim Malmberg's re-enactment of The Carson Show.

March 23, 2013 - “AN IOWA SONGBOOK” with area entertainers celebrating Iowa's music history.

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

Season tickets (all five events) are $65 per person and include a free “Youth Pass”  for ages 18 and under. Season tickets must be purchased prior to the first show on September 21st.

Individual show tickets to the "Glenn Miller Orchestra", "George Washington Carver", and "Here’s Johnny" shows are $15 each for adults and $5 each for youths 18 and under. Tickets for the "It’s A Wonderful Life" play and "An Iowa Songbook" are $10 each for adults and $5 for youths 18 and under.

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.

More about the performances.
More about the artists.
Download a fillable ticket order form to print and mail to the Foundation.

New Exhibit Opens at Donna Reed Heritage Museum

Photo by Librado Romero/New York Times

WW II servicemen write to Donna Reed

A new exhibit entitled, Dear Donna, opened at the Donna Reed Heritage Museum on July 2, 2012. It provides a glimpse into the life of Donna Reed during World War II and features letters written to her by Iowa servicemen.

Visitors will see an issue of the New York Times that announced the discovery of 341 letters Donna had saved in an old trunk; photos and letters relating to her work at the Hollywood USO; an autographed photo she gave to soldier Glenn Peterson of Harlan; a letter to lifelong pen pal, Violet Lindsay, mentioning her desire to support the war effort; excerpts from a letter from her mother referring to Donna’s upcoming visit to promote the sale of war bonds in Denison; and a reference to a Denison appearance of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.

The exhibit also includes a window display of large format images on loan from the Orpheum Theater Center in Marshalltown, Ia. They were made possible through a partnership established with the Orpheum Theater Center, which has a permanent collection celebrating Iowans of the stage and screen, including Donna Reed.

The exhibit will run through August at the Donna Reed Heritage Museum, 1305 Broadway, Denison, IA. Additional information can by obtained at 712.263.3334 or info@donnareed.org.

Area Seniors Awarded Performance Scholarships

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

Awarded $1,000 scholarships are:
Dylan Struck of Denison, a graduate of Denison-Schleswig High School, who will be majoring in Music Education at Simpson College starting this fall.

Melissa Ann Moore of Manning, a graduate of IKM-Manning High School, who will be majoring in Theatre at Simpson College this fall.

Awarded a $1,000 scholarship is Hannah Mahnken of Schleswig, a graduate of Denison-Schleswig High School, who will be majoring in History with an emphasis in museum studies at Simpson College beginning this 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 Bank Iowa, Crawford County Trust and Savings Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank.

Templeton Rye film to highlight annual Wine & Beer Tasting Event, May 11

It’s our annual Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser at the Donna Reed Theatre on May 11 starting at 6 p.m.

The Wine & Beer Tasting event begins at 6 p.m. and features tasting opportunities from various wine and beer distributors. Hy-Vee will cater the food and Reiney’s will provide dessert. A live band, “Above the Law,” will play from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Film maker Kristian Day will be on hand for a 7:30 p.m. screening of his film, “Capone’s Wiskey - The Story of Templeton Rye”. This will be the first screening in the Crawford County area. Representatives from the Templeton Rye distillery will also be on hand for a question and answer period following the movie.

Door prizes will be announced at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and may be reserved by calling the Donna Reed Foundation at 712-263-3334.

The Donna Reed Foundation Offers Scholarships For Crawford County Students

The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts, with the generous support of Wells Fargo Bank, Crawford County Bank, Bank Iowa, and a private donor, is again offering three college scholarships of up to $1,000 to high school seniors graduating in 2012 who reside in or attend high school in Crawford County, Iowa.

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

Application forms for the scholarships may be requested via e-mail from info@donnareed.org. Forms are also available through the guidance offices at the Denison, Charter Oak, Ar-We-Va, and IKM-Manning high schools.

Deadline for the applications to be returned for consideration is May 4, 2012.

First Annual Donna Reed Film Festival in Marshalltown, Iowa

Three Days . Five Films . 
Premiere Events

The Orpheum Theater Center in Marshalltown, Iowa announces the First Annual Donna Reed Film Festival, April 27-29. This three-day film festival will celebrate the international impact of Donna Reed in the USO during WWII. The highlight of the festival will be a special performance piece based on letters written by soldiers sent to Donna Reed during the war. Her daughter, Mary Owen, will attend the festival in tribute to the Iowa girl that every serviceman wanted to come home to. Seating is limited, book early. Call 641-844-5919 for info or go to www.orpheumcenter.com.

Disney’s "Winnie the Pooh, Kids" Is Coming To Denison, IA

A Musical Theatre Workshop for ages 6-13

It’s official. The Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop is back for its sixth Disney production, June18-23, 2012. The week-long workshop is designed to teach the basics of musical theatre to kids ages 6-13 who love singing, dancing and challenges. The workshop culminates with a performance of Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Kids on Saturday, June 23. (Auditions for speaking roles will take place at the first session on Monday, June 18.)

Additional workshop information and tuition rates can be found by downloading our registration form or by calling 712.263.3334 or by stopping at the Donna Reed Foundation office, 1305 Broadway, Denison, IA.