Iowa AACTFest 2017 Congratulations to Marshalltown Community Theatre for hosting a well-run Festival March 16-18. All the volunteers were most gracious and helpful and the facility was ideal for the competition and workshops. Special thanks go to the MCT volunteers and the following:

Festival Chair: Rick Gooding Co-Chairs/Registration: Becky Mounsdon, Peggy Schoer Technical Coordinators: Vanessa Engel, Frank Roessler, Stacy Heil Stage Manager: Kevin Lageschulte Time Keepers: Bob Moore, Linda Moore Volunteer Table/Box Office/Usher: Peggy Schoer Load In/Out Supervisor: Kevin Lageschulte Hospitality: Nancy Harris, Nicole Lynch, Bill Roberts Adjudicator Liasion: Rick Gooding Publicity: Heather Lee

The seven plays in competition were adjudicated by Mary Beth King of Minnesota, Steve Taft from the University of Northern Iowa, and Jim Walker of Aberdeen, SD. Overseeing the Festival was JoAnne Nissen, AACT Festival Commission Representative from Racine, WI.

Escanaba in Da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels Marshalltown Community Theatre

Pvt. Wars by James McLure Newton Community Theatre

110 Stories by Sarah Tuft Ankeny Community Theatre

A Nice Family Christmas by Phil Olson Webster City Community Theatre

A Number by Caryl Churchill Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak

Eleemosynary by Lee Blessing Great River Players, Keokuk

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh New Minowa Players, Decorah

IOWA COMMUNITY THEATRE ASSOCIATION Festival ~ Gala

Special Edition 2017

CENTER STAGE

And the Winners Advancing to Region V

A Number Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak

Director John Olson & Steve Olson

Pvt. Wars Newton Community Theatre

Cast and Crew with Jim Walker

The alternates chosen by the adjudicators: 110 Stories, Ankeny Community Theatre

Eleemosynary, Great River Players, Keokuk

Iowa AACTFest Awards Brunch

At the delicious brunch served at the Orpheum Theatre in Marshalltown, the adjudicators presented certificates to all the participating theatres and announced the following special awards:

110 Stories, Ankeny Community Theatre Outstanding Supporting Actor—Michael Porche Outstanding Supporting Actress—Stacy Bendixen Outstanding Editing A Nice Family Christmas, Webster City Community Theatre Achievement in Costume Design Outstanding Properties A Number by Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak Achievement in Set Design Achievement in Sound Design, Courage Award Eleemosynary, Great River Players, Keokuk Outstanding Actress—Samantha Reed Escanaba in Da Moonlight, Marshalltown Community Theatre Outstanding Regional Dialect Pillowman, New Minowa Players, Decorah Outstanding Actor—Stephen Holkesvik Achievement in Lighting Design Pvt. Wars, Newton Community Theatre Outstanding Director—John Dougan Outstanding Ensemble Outstanding Character Acting

ICTA President Rick Myers Presented the traveling trophy and Iowa-shaped plaques to the two theatres advancing to Region V competition in Brainerd, MN: The Wilson Performing Arts Center and Newton CT. They also each received $250 from ICTA for travel expenses.

Among recipients accepting ICTA Festival awards from Steve Taft and Jim Walker were: Aaron Kvale, New Minowa Players, Decorah; Loween Getter, Webster City CT; Cheryl Clark, Ankeny CT; Michael Harvey, Wilson PAC; Conor Fudge, Newton CT; Steven Holkesvik, New Minowa Players; Samantha Reed, Great River Players of Keokuk; John Dougan, Newton CT.

Y o u r I C T A B o a r d M e m b e r s

Rick Myers, President (2018) imacting@yahoo.com

Helen Beneke, Vice President (2020) hbeneke2@hotmail.com

Donna Smithson, Secretary & Region V Rep (2018) lenoxdonna@lenoxia.com

Gerard Schwickerath, Treasurer (2019) gerard50208@gmail.com

Loween Getter, Past President (2019) loweengetter@wmtel.net

Cheryl Clark (2020) cclark@iastate.edu

Molly Ketchum (2018) mollyketchum@hotmail.com

Bobbi Lutzen (2019) heart1@mchsi.com

John Olson (2019) johnolson1@hotmail.com

Jason Paull (2018) japaull@gmail.com

Pam Ratliff (2018) pamela.ratliff@gafg.com

Tracy Rhodes (2020) tracylynnrhodes@gmail.com

Mel Wilson (2020) melba1453@gmail.com

Norman Ussery (2019) norman76006@gmail.com

Cheryl Zieringer (2020) wahlhubzier@hotmail.com

Adjudicators Conducted Workshops at State Festival Aside from experiencing an amazing variety of theatrical performances, Festival goers had the opportunity to atted informative workshops. The three adjudicators each presented a workshop.

Jim Walker led a discussion on “Community Theatre Issues.” A variety of topics were covered, such as creating and operating a black box theatre, recruiting and keeping volunteers, training techies, using social media, selecting productions for the season, preparing audiences for “edgy” shows, getting youth involved, talk back sessions after a performance.

Mary Beth King’s workshop, “Lessons in Leadership: Guidance for Great Direct-ing,” offered traits, tips, and tricks that award winning directors use to lift artistic teams and productions to excellence in community theatre. Topics covered a range of directing responsibilities with a focus on personal growth, artistic under-standing, skills development, and leadership across all production elements. Steve Taft discussed “The Many Hats of a Director” saying directors must be a tactician, casting agent, organizer, communicator, cheerleader, psychologist, coach, editor, audience, promoter, stager, critic, analyst, interpreter, actor, historian, and designer. In “Creating a Rehearsal Environment” Taft listed three

primary goals of the director and cast: 1. Work together to create a high quality production that all can be proud of 2. Provide an environment in which all may have a positive experience 3. Ultimately create an ensemble that is supportive of one another

Are You Going to Nationals June 26-July 1? It’s not too late to make plans to attend the culminating event of AACTFest 2017 at Rochester, MN. Twelve winning theatrical productions from will compete.

Region 1: Windham, NH The Most Massive Woman Wins, Region 2: Erie PA The Glorious Ones

Region 3: Midland, MI Venus in Fur and Kokomo, IN Passing Notes Region 4: Winter Haven, FL The Amish Project and Starkville, MS Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Region 5: Cokato, MN The Voice of the Prairie and Chatfiled, MN On the Road to Verona Region 6: Katy, TX Answers

Region 7: Aurora, CO Coming to America Region 9: Tacoma, WA The Addams Family

Region 10: Mona, Belgium Counting the Ways Check out the AACT Spotlight magazine or online at aact.org/2017 for the schedule of all events at AACTFest.

The 2017 Festival Gala was held at the Best Western Regency Inn in Marshalltown where hearty appetiz-ers and a cash bar were available to also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. ICTA President Rick Myers and award committee members Cheryl Zieringer and Carol Brehmer read the list of nominees and winners in eleven categories. Winners are shown in bold type. OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT Arvin Van Zante of Union Street Players of Pella for Almost, Maine Noel Brown and Shelly Carr of Great River Players of Keokuk for The Addams Family Musical Ben Cry and Amanda Mayfield of Theare Cedar Rapids for The Little Mermaid Andy Malsom of Newton Community Theatre for Caucus, the Musical AJ Youngberg of Sioux City Community Theatre for The Drowsy Chaperone Otter Dreaming of New Minowa Players of Decorah for The Pillowman OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN AJ Delfs and Kristy Tremayne of Sioux City Community Theatre for The Drowsy Chaperone Sue Geukema of Newton Community Theatre for The Producers Joni Sackett of Theatre Cedar Rapids for The Little Mermaid Shelley Carr of Great River Players of Keokuk for The Addams Family Musical Annette Rubin of Waterloo Community Playhouse for Cabaret Sue Beukema of Newton Community Theatre for Caucus, the Musical OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SCENIC DESIGN Shari Buehler and John Olson of The Wilson Performing Art Center in Red Oak for You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown Robin McIntyre of Sioux City Community Theatre for The Drowsy Chaperone Matt Kelly of Union Street Plyers of Pella for The Christmas Post Bret Gothe of Theatre Cedar Rapids for Hamlet Bill Carr and Shelley Carr of Great River Players of Keokuk for The Addams Family Musical Matt Kelly of Union Street Players of Pella for Almost, Maine OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHOREOGRAPHY Melanie Bohle, Gabe Griesel, and Emily Schultz of Sioux City Community Theatre for The Drowsy Chaperone Alvon Reed of Theatre Cedar Rapids for The Little Mermaid Karen Ryals of Union Street Players of Pella for The Christmas Post Sue Beukema and Nicholis Root for Newton Community Theatre for The Producers Candice Van Hove of Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre for Singing in the Rain James Mueller of New Minowa Players of Decorah for “Little Jesus” in The Pillowman OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING Casey Prince of Theatre Cedar Rapids for The Little Mermaid Terry McIntosh of Southwest Iowa Theatre Group for Odd Couple, Female Versioin Shelley Carr of Great River Players of Keokuk for The Addams Family Musical Loween Getter of Webster City Community Theatre for A Nice Family Christmas Aaron Kvale of New Minowa Players of Decorah for The Pillowman David Washburn of Sioux City Community Theatre for The Drowsy Chaperone

IOWA COMMUNITY THEATRE ASSOCIATION AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

2017

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC DIRECTION Cynthia Martin of Story Theatre Company for Honk! Rachel Faidley of Newton Community Theatre for The Producers Benjamin Schmidt of Theatre Cedar Rapids for The Little Mermaid Crystal Waltz of Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre for Singing in the Rain Amy Nilles and Alison Bondy of Sioux City Community Theatre for The Drowsy Chaperone Rachel Faidley of Newton Community Theatre for Caucus, the Musical OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY AN ENSEMBLE Shai, Dennis, Katherine, Rick, Kane, Joeann, David and Dan of New Minowa Players of Decorah for “Little Jesus” in The Pillowman Mom, Carl, Stacy, Michael, and Jill of Webster City Community Theatre for A Nice Family Christmas Flotsam, Jetsam and Flounder/Mersisters of Theatre Cedar Rapids for The Little Mermaid Manola and Jesus of Southwest Theatre Group for The Odd Couple, Female Version Kit Kat Dancers of Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre for Cabaret Candidates and Campaign Managers of Newton Community Theatre for Caucus, the Musical OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Kim Groninga as Fraulein Schnedier in Waterloo Community Theatre/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s Cabaret Mary Sealine as Grandma in Webster City Community Theatre’s A Nice Family Christmas Kat Smith as Mayella Ewing in Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s To Kill a Mocking-bird Sarah Brant as Tupolski in New Minowa Players of Decorah’s The Pillowman Linda Dougan as Young Mom in Newton Community Theatre’s Leaving Iowa OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Steven Holkesvik as Michal in New Minowa Players of Decorah’s The Pillowman Jeff Carter as Franz Liebkin in Newton Community Theatre’s The Producers Scott Schaeffer as Ronald Blunt in Newton Community Theatre’s Caucus, the Musical Vern Cross as Uncle Bob in Webster City Community Theatre’s A Nice Family Christmas Greg Smith as Sebastian in Theatre Cedar Rapids’ The Little Mermaid Gabe Griesel as Aldopho in Sioux City Community Theatre’s The Drowsy Chaperone OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Nikki Stewart as Ariel in Theatre Cedar Rapids’ The Little Mermaid Julie Goodman as Mavis McCormick in Newton Community Theatre’s Caucus, the Musical Abby Zeets as Scout in Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s To Kill a Mockingbird Allison Bollingert as Kathy Selden in Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s Singing in the Rain Catherine Ruddy as Janet DeGraff in Sioux City Community Theatre’s The Drowsy Chaperone Cassie Yost as Lina LaMont in Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s Singing in the Rain OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Scott Schuster as Emcee in Waterloo Community Theatre/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s Cabaret Will Edgar as Leo Blum in Newton Community Theatre’s The Producers Travis Metzger as The Man in the Chair in Sioux City Community Theatre’s The Drowsy Chaperone Scott Schaeffer as Max Bialystock in Newton Community Theatre’s The Producers Alex Rosenow as Katurian in New Minowa Players of Decorah’s The Pillowman Brian Langr as Don Lockwood in Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s Theatre’s Singing in the Rain

Minutes of the ICTA Annual Meeting, March 18, 2017 At 1:07 P.M. on March 18, 2017, President Rick Meyers convened the ICTA membership in the Martha Ellen Tye theater at the Fisher Center in Marshalltown for the Iowa Community Theater Association’s annual meeting. Rick welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their continued support of Iowa theater. Because of the shortage of available time, election of board members preceded the normal agenda for the meeting. Rick asked for the names of members whose 2017 dues had not yet been paid so that these people would have an opportunity to pay imme-diately, thus becoming eligible to vote. Nominations chairman, Donna Smithson, introduced each of the current board members so that voters could be apprised of the areas of the state covered and check for diversity within the board. Then, the bios written by six candidates were read as those candidates stood at the front of the stage: Helen Beneke, Cheryl Clark, R.J. Lundgren, Tracy Rhodes, Mel Wilson, and Cheryl Zieringer. Normally, a quick explanation would be given about the duties of the board members, but since no one else was con-sidering becoming a candidate, ballots were cast. Secretary Donna read the minutes of the last membership meeting which was held at the ICTA Convention in the Sioux City Community Theatre on June 11, 2016. Phyllis Gray motioned to approve the minutes; Cheryl Zieringer seconded; carried. Treasurer Gerard Schwicherath presented the treasurer’s report which, of course, did not include the $125.00 which had just been received for 2017 memberships. Mel Wilson moved to accept the treasurer’s report; Peggy Brown seconded; carried. Those counting the ballots announced that the five that were elected to the board for a three-year term were: Helen, Cheryl, Tra-cy, Mel, and Cheryl. Loween Getter thanked for their service those who were leaving the board. Donna introduced Larry and Carol Pint who are representatives of the Minnesota state board. Rick announced that the board would meet in the B Conference room of the Fisher Center from 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. just pre-ceding the final performance of the festival. Pizza would be available. He also announced that the Gala would be held at rooms A, B, and C in the Regency Best Western thirty minutes after the final performance. Loween lifted up the ICTA brochures that have been developed to promote the organization and also encouraged everyone to be aware of the articles in Center Stage and the opportunities for free publicity to theaters through this venue Wayne Blum moved adjournment; Gerard seconded; carried. The meeting closed at 1:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Donna Smithson, Secretary

Minutes of the ICTA Board Meeting, March 18, 2017 The Iowa Community Theater Association board members began convening for pizza in a workshop room of the Fisher Center in Marshalltown on March 19, 2017. President Rick Myers convened the meeting at 6:00 P.M. Board members in attendance were Helen Beneke, Loween Getter, Cheryl Zieringer, Norman Ussery, Jason Paull, Donna Smithson, Mel Wilson, John Olson, Bobbi Lutzen, and the newly-elected Cheryl Clark and Tracy Rhodes. Secretary Donna read the minutes from the February 4, 2017, meeting which was held in Newton. Jason moved acceptance; Mel seconded; carried. Because the treasurer’s report was read and accepted in the membership meeting, it was not repeated. In a quick election, the following officers were nominated, seconded, accepted, and elected: President Rick Myers, Vice-President Helen Beneke, Secretary Donna Smithson, Treasurer Gerard Schwicherath. Loween announced the next newsletter deadline as March 31, 2017. In discussion of the Iowa Awards in Excellence Program and Gala, it was noted that there would only be one children’s award, a Best Production award. There would be a contest even if there were only one play nominated. Jason suggested putting the review form on-line so that when Pam has received a request for a review she could e-mail the form to the reviewers who would respond right on that form and e-mail it back to Pam. Jason assured that this would be a secure sys-tem which could not be tapped into by anyone other than those for whom it was designed. The advantage would be a quicker tallying of responses. Rick stated he still had a problem with how ties were considered. Norman had a suggestion which the tabulators announced is actually already in force. A review-process committee was formed (Pam, Mel, Cheryl Z., John), and discussion was tabled until there would be more time in a meeting for contemplating options. Jason commented that a date should be set immediately for the 2018 convention. This would allow time to secure a host theater and provide much publicity for the event. The third week-end of March was a consensus as that would coincide rather closely in date with the festival in the alternate year. A committee was formed (Jason, Bobbi, Cheryl C.) to solicit sites for both the 2018 convention and the 2019 festival. The next meeting was set for May 13, 2017, at the Ankeny Community Theater, with board members taking care of their own lunches ahead of time. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M. in order to attend the 7:00 performance. Respectfully submitted, Donna Smithson, Secretary

ICTA Well-Represented at Region V Festival in Minnesota Hosted by Brainerd Community Theatre

Seventeen Iowans representing Newton Community Theatre, The Wilson Performing Arts Center, Webster City Community Theatre and Lenox attended the Region V Festival at the Central Iowa Community College Performing Arts Center April 28-30. There was snow on the ground when we arrived, but the welcome was warm. The first day of the competition was kicked-off with Pvt. Wars featuring Scott Schaeffer, Conor Fudge, and Lonnie Appleby with Newton Community Theatre. That was followed by The Voice of the Prairie by Fungus-Amongus Players of Dassel-Cokato, MN and A Candle on the Table by ACT Theatre Company of Topeka, KS. The day wrapped-up with The Wilson Performing Arts Center’s Michael Harvey and Nathaniel Adkins in A Number. Our hats are off to directors Scott Dougan and John Olson for bringing these great Iowa productions to Region V.

On Day 2, four more plays were performed in competition. The Lofte Community Theatre of Manley, NE brought Shakespeare’s a Dick, Aberdeen Community Theatre of Aberdeen, SD brought Mavis Pleads the Fourth, Minnesota SkyVault Theatre of Rochester, MN brought On the Road to Verona, and Community Players of Beatrice, NE brought The Santaland Diaries.

The adjudicators for the Region V competition were Mary Britt of Florida, John Viars of Iowa (Des Moines Playhouse’s artistic director and executive director), and Mike Ricci of Minnesota. The AACT Festival Commissioner was Joan Luther of New York.

The Awards Brunch was held Sunday morning. Each of the eight theatres participating were awarded Certificates. Special awards were presented to the following:

The Wilson Performing Arts Center for A Number Stage Crew and Props Direction (John Olson) Acting (Nathaniel Adkins)

Newton Commnity Theatre for Pvt. Wars Direction (John Dougan) Acting (Conor Fudge)

The Fungus-Amoungus Players for A Voice on the Prairie

Costume Design, Musical Performance, Direction (David Metcalf), Ensemble Acting

Minnesota SkyVault Theatre for On the Road to Verona Original Music Composition and Performance, Direction (Daved Driscoll), Ensemble Acting

Aberdeen Community Theatre for Mavis Pleads the Fourth Acting (Lori Harmel), Ensemble Acting

The Lofte Community Theatre for Shakespeare’s a Dick Acting (Eric Green and Doug Rothgeb)

The two productions advancing to the National AACTFest in Rochester, MN are A Voice on the Prairie from the Fungus-Amongus Players of Dassel-Cokato, MN and On the Road to Vernoa from the Minnesota SkyVault Theatre in Rochester. First Alternate to Nationals Second Alternate to Nationals Pvt. Wars A Number Newton Community Theatre cast & crew The Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak

WORKSHOPS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS WERE PRESENTED BOTH DAYS “Improv, There and Back Again” with Laura Marsolek and Caitlin Weber

“Light It Up! LED for the Stage” with Ben Kent “Fundraising and Grantwriting—Telling a Compelling Story” with Kathleen Conroy

“Something out of Nothing—Creating Props out of Everyday Stuff” with Tim Leagjeld “So Many Plays, So Little Time—Choosing Your Season” with Michael Sander

“Dancing Off Broadway” with Sylvia Borash “Taking Care of Our People: The Performing Arts Human Resources Toolkit” with Joanna Schnedler

“A Taste of Meisner” with Laura Marsolk and Caitlin Weber

Minutes of the ICTA Board Meeting, May 13, 2017 Vice-president Helen Beneke convened the Iowa Community Theatre Board at 12:05 P. M. on May 13, 2017, in the Ankeny Community Theatre. Other board members in attendance were Tracy Rhodes, Norman Ussery, Jason Paull, Mel Wilson, Molly Ketchum, Loween Getter, Gerard Schwicherath, Donna Smithson, Bobbi Lutzen, and host Cheryl Clark. Because of other commitments, John Olson was electronically tuned in to the meeting. Minutes of the March 18 board meeting were read by Secretary Donna. Jason moved acceptance; Norman seconded; car-ried. Treasurer Gerard presented the treasurer’s report. Questions were answered regarding memberships, outstanding bills, and the amount received through the 50/50 fund-raising event conducted at state festival. Gerard has been investigating insti-tutions in which to invest some assets, such as the L. K. Boutin principal, and has found one which he thinks will provide a much higher percentage for interest. Donna asked about whether or not Iowa has been paying the five dollars per registration that was to be added on to help alle-viate the expenses of the Region V representative to AACT. John thought this was only to be added to registrations at region-al festivals and not state ones. Donna, as the Iowa representative, suggested she contact Jim Walker and Nancy Eppert to clar-ify when these funds are to be collected and presented. Gerard moved that if it were only to be at a regional festival, Iowa could now contribute $100 if we had not done this at the time we hosted the festival. If it were to be paid for the state festival, we could contribute $300. Jason moved; Cheryl C. seconded; carried. No action will be taken until the matter is clarified. A general discussion was held regarding the 2017 Region V Festival which was held in Brainerd, Minnesota, on April 27-30. Board members able to attend were Mel, Loween, John, and Donna. There were eight entries: two each from Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa, and one each from Kansas and South Dakota. Iowa was proudly represented by Newton Community Theatre who was awarded the spot of first alternate to national competition and Southwest Iowa Community Theatre who won the second alternate spot. The two advancing shows were both from Minnesota. Facilities and personnel were highly praised; a preference would have been for noon and night meals on site to facilitate more networking; two states had entries whereby there had been no state festivals because of lack of interested theaters in participating, but these entries were adjudicated indi-vidually in their own theaters to determine their competence. Helen will contact Marshalltown to request a report on the Iowa Festival regarding attendance, finances, et cetera. These peo-ple were also praised for their attention to detail, friendliness, et cetera with again disappointment in having to go off the premises to find food. A discussion, with no decision, occurred regarding having theaters who won awards at the Gala, but no one from the theater was present to accept the award. Jason, speaking for the committee to set dates for the next convention and festival, said he will survey for sites and dates. Loween said that Webster City would be willing to host the 2018 Convention and had suggestions of some special speakers she could arrange for the workshops. A group was also discussed for a performance whereby the ICTA board mem-bers could use the review sheets and each review the production and then meet later to compare their results and discuss why the choices were made. However, the third weekend of March would not work for them. Cheryl suggested that attendance at events would probably be enlarged if these dates for festival and convention were the same every year so that the member the-aters could infuse them into their own calendars. At the March meeting the third weekend in March had been selected for these annual events. Based upon Loween’s offer and suggested topics, Jason moved that the next convention be held on the weekend of March 23-24 in Webster City; Gerard seconded; carried. Norman brought up the confusion about what constitutes an ensemble. This has been discussed before with a defined re-sponse of ensemble from Regional Representative Nancy Eppert. It needs to be clearly spelled out on the review form. Other thoughts were discussed, especially as to how many supporting actors and actresses could be nominated in one produc-tion. Did the number nominated and/or the number of reviewers effect who was the winner in that category? Jason has been experimenting with some computer programs to find one which would serve the board well in distributing, receiving, and recording information regarding the review sheets used in the Iowa Excellence in Awards program. Several questions were asked regarding how limiting a computer program might be in the number of nominations in one category - especially in supporting actor or actress, changes the theater could make in what person was nominated, how secure the sys-tem would be as far as board member-dedicated, et cetera. The program also would allow for registration at events, treasur-er’s information, connection with Pay Pal, and several other options. Jason is going to send a sample to each ICTA board member to use for personal experimenting. Members encouraged him to continue in his endeavors of investigation and to share with each board member what he thinks would be a usable system so the board members could also experiment with it before making a decision. The next meeting will be held at Newton Community Theatre on August 19, 2017, at 12:00 with lunch at the theater. Meeting adjourned at 2:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Donna Smithson, Secretary

CENTER STAGE Is YOUR Newsletter

Members around the state want to read about what makes your theatre special and

the shows you are staging.

Be sure to send your upcoming production information and news about your theatre to the editor at loweengetter@wmtel.net by

July 1, 2017

for the Summer Issue of Center Stage in which we would like to publish your

2017-2018 Season and will share a report about the National Festival in Rochester.

Electronic submissions are always welcome!

SAVE THE DATE Webster City Community Theatre invites you to the ICTA State Convention on March 23-24, 2018. They will be determining workshop topics and presenters soon and would appreciate input from you. Please contact Loween Getter at loweengetter@wmtel.net with your ideas. Entertainment will be a touring performance of UTOPIA—THE IOWA MUSICAL REVUE by playwright Robert John Ford. Ford is a native of Fort Dodge who also wrote Caucus—The Musical and Six-on-Six.: The Musical. Nominees and winners for 2017 ICTA Awards of Excellence will be announced prior to the show at the Gala on Saturday, March 24. Watch for details in upcoming Center Stage issues and on the ICTA website.

CALENDAR OF ICTA MEMBER THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

Check the ICTA website for more details...www.iowacommunitytheatreassociaiton.com

June 1-11 The Addams Family at Judge Story Theatrical Troupe June 1-11 Spamalot at Waterloo Community Playhouse June 2-9 Penelope at Shot in the Dark Theatre, Sioux City June 2-10 Always a Bridesmaid at Newton Community Theatre June 2-11 Carousel at Chanticleer Theatre, Council Bluffs

June 2-17 The Bully Plays at Theatre Cedar Rapids June 2-18 The Middle of Yesterday at Ankeny Community Theatre June 2-18 Steel Magnolias at Des Moines Playhouse June 3-4 Peter Pan at Theatre Cedar Rapids June 9-18 Xanadu Jr. at Boone Community Theatre

June 9-10, 15-17, 22-15 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at ACTORS, Ames June 16-18 The Little Mermaid at City Circle Acting Company, Coralville June 16-25 The Pirates of Penzance at Story Theatre Company of Ames June 23-25 Spamalot at New Minowa Players, Decorah June 30-July 22 Billy Elliott at Theatre Cedar Rapids

July 7-9, 12-16 Church Basement Ladies at Webster City Community Theatre July 7-9, 14-16 Twelve Angry Men at Southwest Theatre Group, Shenandoah July 14-23 Nunsense at Waterloo Community Playhouse July 14-30 Bare, a Pop Opera at Shot in the Dark Theatre, Sioux City July 14-Auigust 6 Music Man at Des Moines Playhouse

July 21-30 Guys and Dolls at Urbandale Community Theatre July 21-22, 27-29 Wizard of Oz at Union Street Players, Pella July 23-24, 29-31 Guys and Dolls at Marshalltown Community Theatre August 4-20 Unnecessary Farce at Ankeny Community Theatre

You are encouraged to support your peers and broaden your theatre experience by attending performances at their theatres. Be sure to contact the newsletter editor

at loweengetter@wmtel.net and the webmaster at iowacommunitytheatre@gmail.com to share your upcoming productions and dates.