Casey Cook, Program Coordinator for August introduced Kate Markham, current Development Director and Aaron Weiner, Administrative Assistant from Riverside Theatre.
Kate has a background in the arts and finance, joining Riverside in 2019 as Development. Aaron first worked with Riverside Theatre as a performer in 2004, is a graduate of UI Theatre Arts program and became of a member of the staff this year.
Kate provided a brief history of Riverside Theatre, Iowa City's only resident professional theatre company. Riverside Theatre was founded by Ron Clark and Jodi Hovland, along with Bruce Wheaton in 1981. The permanent location beginning in 1990 was Gilbert Street(Gilpin Paints warehouse( space. In 1999 the outdoor stage in City Park was constructed and Riverside expanded its calendar to include summer performances in the park. The lease on Gilbert St. expired in 2020 during the pandemic and performances shut down, the theatre was unable to come to new terms with the landlord and made the decision to leave the space. During the pandemic, they produced several virtual performances., filming, and broadcasting with Zoom. The new space will be located in the Crescent Block redevelopment project in the space that housed the Union Bar and historically as the Montgomery Ward building. The new space will have flexible black box theatre with seating up to 150 seats, a large lobby with a view of the ped mall through floor to ceiling windows, and accessibility for both artists and patrons. There will be increased programing and a commitment to continue to produce both new works and those have stood the test of time.
They will take possession of the new space in October and the first production will take in January, 2022.
In the absence of President Liz Nichols, Past President and Assistant Governor, Phil Peterson presided over the meeting. PP Phil opened the meeting with the 4-Way Test.
Jack Cameron, announce that the only guest were the speakers.
Announcements: Deb Ockenfels announced the unofficial totals for the July Food Fight to benefit area food pantries. On the CommUnity website, it shows a total of $880l in cash/check being raised by participating area Rotary clubs. Thursday noon club contributed $3895 translated into pounds(5 lbs. per $) is approximately $77.90 per member. Downtown has give $400 (might not be final total) which converted to pounds is approximately 170# per member AM club had donated $3746 in cash/checks which equals 249# per member, PLUS the Ockenfels also contributed 17,803 lbs. in r/produce from the Kalona auctions in the month of July. When converted to 487# per member for the AM Club. It looks like the Golden Turkey is coming home to the AM Club.
John Ockenfels updated the club on Can Do progress. The trailer signage it being finalized. The City of Iowa City has given permission for the trailer to be located at the Iowa City recycling are on the corner of Hwy, 6 and Riverside Drive. Once trailer is located and finished and located on site, a schedule will be done. We will include the Interact and Rotaract clubs in the project.
Deb Ockenfels announced that Open Heartland would relocated to the Old Iowa City Carton building with in the next weeks. Volunteers will be needed.
Kate and Aaron announced the 2021-2022 season at Riverside Theatre.
OCTOBER: "The Grand Inquisitor" a collaboration with Iowa City Book Festival and U of Iowa Libraries" Dostoevsky at 200" exhibit, as well as "Walking with Wire" monologues (places tbd).
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER: holiday production will be an original work "The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged" (place tbd) This play will move into January with a world premiere of another new Work, "Eden Prairie 1975"
MARCH : Production is "The Niceties" which takes place in an academic setting and deals race and history.
APRIL/MAY: Natasha & Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812", a musical.
A fundraising capital campaign for the new space will begin soon!!