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.