ICTA NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2018

Please pass this email along to other members of your theatre as well as friends and organizations in your area who may be interested in joining our association.

In the past, the newsletter was mailed 5 times a year. The goal is to email the newslettersmonthly. If you have news to share and productions to add to the calendar, please

submit it to loweengetter@wmtel.net by February 23 for the March 2018 edition.

“Urinetown” opens March 9 and runs through March 18 at Chanticleer Theatre inCouncil Bluffs.. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Sundayafternoons at 2:00 for two weekends.

In a Gotham­like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20­year drought, has ledto a government­enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use publicamenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by chargingadmission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decidesthat he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!.

“Urinetown” is directed by Gary Bosanek with Musical Direction by Jerry Brabec andChoreography by Debbie Massey­Schneweis.

"Congratulations to the following ICTA members who have demonstrated their

dedication to lifelong learning and the advancement of knowledge and skills through

participation and collaboration in AACT educational conferences and workshops as

demonstrated by your cumulative AACTED Hours earned as of Dec 31, 2017."

(See page 25 in the January/February 2018 Spotlight magazine for a complete list.)

Jennifer Maki of Farley (75­99 hours)

Sue Beukema of Newton (50­74 hours)

Helen Beneke of Pocahontas (25­49 hours)

Cheryl Clark of Ankeny (25­49 hours)

On page 35, Webster City Community Theatre is listed as a celebrant of their 50­

year anniversary.

Be sure to read each issue of the AACT Spotlight magazine from cover to cover for lots of helpful information.

As we begin a new year, please take a moment to go on the AACT website andcheck your contact name, mailing address, phone numbers, email addresses, and

website informatioin and update as necessary. Tha action will drive an email to staffat AACT so that the database can be updated as well.

Then no one will lose contact with you and your organization!

Great River Players Stages World PremiereOn December 1, 2, and 3, the 2017 - 2018 season of The Great River Players got off to a tremendousstart with our world premier presentation of the musical, A Keokuk Christmas Carol. Based on the book byCharles Dickens and adapted and directed by our own Shelley Carr, the story took us back to 1938Keokuk, Iowa during the Great Depression. Although it was entirely fictional, the people, places, andevents used were from that era. The story’s “Scrooge” was Virginia McPherson, the daughter of EleanorGalland and Isaac McPherson, some of Keokuk’s very first settlers. Another character was Nannie MSmith, the first female lawyer in our town and the second in the state of Iowa. She died December 13,1938 the very same year and month that our story took place. Her character became the catalyst to movethe audience through the show.

With the use of songs: “Lay Me Down”, “Down to the River to Pray”, On the Good Ship Lollipop”, “Gone”,Hallelujah”, “Everybody Have a Merry Christmas”, “Where Are You Christmas”, “ Winter Wonderland”,“Four Walls”, “Bluesy Ole’ Boys”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, various traditional Christmas carols, andCasting Crowns’ stirring arrangement of “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” this unique adaptation ofAChristmas Carol came to life.

Great River Players is very fortunate to have been selected as a Lee County Youth Services, Inc. grantrecipient. This grant will be used for our Summer Theatre for Young People. This program includes the

Petite Players for children competing 1st through 3rd grade, the Marilyn Hart Children’s Theatre:

4ththrough 7th grade, and the Summer Youth Theatre: 8th through 12th grade. It is with much gratitude andmany thanks that we accept this grant.

We also have received word that we are one of the recipients of the L K Boutin Grant provided by theIowa Community Theatre Association. This grant will be used to purchase much needed outside lighting

for our building at 17 S 6th Street. Thank you to ICTA for helping us improve safety and security at ourfacility.

World Theatre Day is March 27 Check out aact.org/world­theatre­day for ways to celebrate this year.

MAINSTAGE Misery, January 26­February 11, 2018

Ragtime, April 6­29, 2018 Mamma Mia!, July 13­28, 2018

KATE GOLDMAN STAGE Mrs. Nelson Is Missing, February 23­March 11, 2018

SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY: February 26, 2018

FINAL ACT ENSEMBLE WINTER SHOW: February 27, 2018

BEST OF BROADWAY: New York Theatre Tour, May 3­6 & 17­20, 2018

A quote from AACT president, Carole Ries in the January/February Spotlight, "Don't underestimate the impact your community

theatre has on you, your friends, and your community. We improve lives and communities."

Send impact statements about how your community theatre has changed your life or the life of a friend/family member, or your community to this

newsletter editor.

ICTA holds the state convention in even­numbered years. Webster City Community Theatre will host the

2018 Iowa Community Theatre Association's State Convention ­ March 23­25.

WorkshopsPlan to be there to attend workshops on Saturday, March 24, led by knowledgeable professionals Attendees will have the opportunity to attend three workshops from these tentative selections. Some workshops will be offered more than once. "Directing" with Kathy Pingel. "Acting" with Katie Slaven. "Theatre Lighting" with John Pomeroy. "Costuming for the Community Theatre" with Christine Duncan. "Final Act Ensemble Radio Show" with Molly Ketchum & RJ Lundgren. "Play Selection"

Board TrainingICTA board members review the shows nominated for the ICTA Awards of Excellence. KathyPingel will work with the board members on Friday night, March 23, from 7:00­10:00 pm, trainingthem in how to review a play They will then attend the Saturday night production of "Utopia­TheIowa Musical Revue" On Sunday morning from 7:30­9:30 am, they will gather to share theirreviews. The training will be held off­site at inTandem, just a block from WCCT.

UTOPIA: The Iowa Musical RevueThe entertainment for the state convention will be a production of Utopia: The Iowa MusicalRevue by Epic Stage Productions. The performances on March 23 and 24 at 7:30 pm and March25 at 2:00 pm. UTOPIA celebrates and pokes a little fun at the unique people, places, andtraditions of the great state of Iowa. Created by Iowa playwright Robert John Ford (Six­on­Sixand Caucus), the 2018 touring production will feature "the greatest hits" from all five previousversions of the show, including sketches and parody songs about RAGBRAI, the Cy­Hawkfootball game, bean walking, 4­H, and the Iowa weather. It is the perfect entertainment option forIowans who like to laugh at themselves and visitors who want a hilarious taste of the HawkeyeState. It will bring a smile to your face and a warm feeling to your heartland.

Annual Meeting & Election of ICTA Board MembersThe Saturday noon meal will be prepared and served by the women of the First UCCCongregational Church across the street from WCCT Following the meal, the group will move tothe WCCT auditorium for the annual meeting, election of board member, and sharing of ideas. Contact Board Presdient Rick Myers if you have anything to add to the agenda. If you areinterested in running for the board, contact a nominating committee member: Rick Myers, Molly

ICTA STATE CONVENTION - MARCH 23-25

Ketchum, Donna Smithson, Jason Paull, or Pam Ratliff. Emails are found at the end of this

newsletter.

ShowcaseYour community theatre is invited to bring a tri­fold display board that showcases your

organization...photos of your productions, educational activities, how you celebrate your

volunteers, fund raising ideas, costume/prop/set designs, tech ideas, etc.

Awards of Excellence Gala BrunchOn Sunday morning, March 25, the ICTA Awards of Excellence will be presented in the

auditorium following the catered brunch that will be served in the lower level social hall. Awards

will be announced in 17 categories.

Convention RegistrationThe convention registration fee will cover meals (Saturday welcome breakfast, lunch, afternoon

break, and post­show cast party; Sunday morning's Gala brunch, and a ticket to Utopia The IowaMusical Revue, Attendees will have their choice of several eateries in Webster City for the

Saturday night meal.

Early Bird RegistrationSaturday only $50

Saturday & Sunday $70

Sunday only $25

Late Registration after March 14 Add $25

Be watching for your ICTA State Convention mailing coming before March 1.

The information will also be posted on the ICTA website.

Then fill out the form, make your check payable to ICTA, and mail your registration to

WCCT, PO Box 272, Webster City, IA 50595.

Hotel AccommodationsThere are three hotels in Webster City.

AmericInn has a block of rooms reserved for the ICTA State Convention until February 23 that

range from $75 to $78 + tax. (515­832­3999)

Super 8 (515­832­2000)

America's Best Value Inn (515­832­3631)

We are always busy working on our own productions, but take a breakfrom time to time to attend a play at another ICTA venue to see a favoriteor new work; get ideas for sets, costumes, and tech; and meet like-minded theatre folks.

Please submit information about your productions to the newsletter

editor at loweengetter@wmtel.net by February 23, 2018 for the next

electronic newsletter.

You should also submit information about your productions to be added

to the ICTA website calendar at iowacommunitytheatre@gmail.com.

FEBRUARY 8-11, 15-17---"Andrew Lippa's Wild Party" Theatre Cedar Rapids

9-11---"All My Sons" Webster City Community Theatre 9-11---"Chess in Concert" City Circle Acting Co, Coralville

9-11, 16-18---"Making God Laugh" SW Iowa Theatrical Group, Shenandoah 9-11, 15-18---"Almost, Maine" Ankeny Community Theatre

9-11---"On Golden Pond" Wilson Performing Arts Center 9-10, 15-17---"Nunsense" Boone Community Theatre.

15-17---"The Pajama Paerty Murders" Wolf Creek Players, Dysart 16-24---"The Princess & the Pea Waterloo Community Players

16-18, 23-24---"Misconceptions" Old Fort Players, Fort Madison 16-18---"Done to Death" Judge Story Theatrical Troupe, Story City

16-Mar 4---"A Bright New Noise" Shot in the Dark Productions, Sioux City 23-25---"Happily Ever After...A Wedding Comedy" Great River Players

22-25---"12 Angry Jurors" Story Theatre Co, Ames 23-25---"Bus Stop" Spencer Community Theatre

23-25 "Come Back, Little Sheba" Players Workshop, Burlington 23-Mar 11 "Miss Nelson Is Missing" DSM Playhouse, Kate Goldman

MARCH TBA---"Wiley and the Hairy Man" Wilson Performing Arts, Red Oak

1-4---"Come Back, Little Sheba Players Workshop, Burlington 1-4---"12 Angry Men" Union Street Players, Pella

2-18---"Noises Off" Sioux City Community Theatre 2-4---"Bus Stop" Spencer Community Theatre

9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31---"Diary of Anne Frank" Theatre Cedar Rapids 9-11, 15-17---"Mame" Newton Community Theatre

16-25---"The Full Monty" Waterloo Community Playhouse 16-18, 23-25, 29-31---"Bent" Theatre Cedar Rapids

23-April 1---"Urinetown" Chanticleer, Council Bluffs 30-31---"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" ACTORS, Ames

APRIL 4-6---"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" ACTORS, Ames

6-7---"Bent" Theatre Cedar Rapids 6-8, 12-14---"A Comedy of Tenors" Opera House Players, Elkader

6-29---"Ragtime" Des Moines Playhouse 12-15---"Death by Dessert" Knoxville Area Community Theatre

13-15--"Calendar Girls" Great River Players, Keokuk 13-29---"[title of show]" Shot in the Dark Productions, Sioux City

13-15, 20-22---"Little Women" Southwest Iowa Theatrical Group, Shenandoah 15-21---"Winnie the Pooh" Black Hawk Children's Theatre, Waterloo

6-15--"A Few Good Men" Ankeny Community Theatre 20-22, 27-29---"The Bridges of Madison County" Spencer Community Theatre

20-29---"What Is Susan's Secret" Players Workshop, Burlington 20-21, 27-29---"The Dining Room" Boone Community Theatre

26-29--"Doubt" Ankeny Community Theatre 27-29---"Little Women" City Circle Acting Co, Coralville

MAY 3-5---"Zap: a play" Wolf Creek Players, Dysart

4-6---"Little Women" City Circle Acting Co, Coralville 11-20---"Weekend Comedy" Waterloo Community Playhouse

18-20, 24-26---"A Few Good Men" Newton Community Theatre, 25-June 3---"Company" Chanticleer, Council Bluffs

31-June 3-----"Mary Poppins" Judge Story Theatrical Troupe, Story City

JUNE 1-17---"Outside Mullingar" Shot in the Dark Productions, Sioux City

4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-26---"Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" TCR 8-17--"Honk" Ankeny Community Theatre

8-9, 15-16, 22-23---"9 TO 5" ACTORS, Ames 8-10---"Almost, Maine" Opera House Players, Elkader

11-27---"Leaving Iowa" Sioux City Community Theatre 15-17---"Return to the Forbidden City" City Circle Acting Co, Coralville

15-24---"Beauty & the Beast" Story Theatre Co, Ames

Your ICTA Board Officers and Members

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

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

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

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

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

Cheryl Clark cclark@iastate.edu (2020)

Molly Ketchum mollyketchum@hotmail.com (2018)

Bobbi Lutzen heart1@mchsi.com (2019)

John Olson johnolson1@hotmail.com (2019)

Jason Paull japaull@gmail.com (2018)

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

Tracy Rhodes tracylynnrhodes@gmail.com (2020)

Mel Wilson melba1453@gmail.com (2020)

Norman Ussery norman76006@gmail.com (2019)

Cheryl Zieringer wahlhubzier@hotmail.com (2020)