Riverside Theatre

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Riverside Theatre

Riverside Theatre is a professional theatre connecting artists and audiences through engaging work. A great city deserves serious theatre.

Theatre that sparks discourse, builds community, delights, inspires, breaks down barriers, and explores the complexities of the human spirit. Riverside Theatre strengthens the cultural fabric of Iowa City through intimate, engaging productions from classics to new works, fostering a deeper appreciation for the dramatic arts.

08/24/2026

🎭 Rehearsals are officially underway for I, Will: A Late Romance by Scott Carter

It’s 1608. London is under the shadow of plague, the arts are struggling, Shakespeare’s latest tragedies aren’t drawing the crowds, and his acting company wants a hit. With his best work seemingly behind him, Shakespeare finds inspiration in an unlikely world of star-crossed lovers, brash rogues, and enterprising brothel keepers.

I, Will: A Late Romance is a funny, imaginative look at the man behind the masterpieces, and a playful exploration of the creative spark that may have inspired Shakespeare’s celebrated late Romances. The production marks Riverside Theatre’s 40th world premiere in our 46-year history.

I, Will begins with two previews on September 10 & 11 and then opens September 12 and runs through September 27. Tickets are on sale now for Riverdogs and open to the general public on August 21! Learn more on our website www.riverside theatre.org/iwill

The Cast
Tim Budd - Will Joshua Fryvecind - Dick Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers - Marie Joseph Lepire - Stephen Janette Luu - Luce
Deucalion Martin - Bobby K. Michael Moore - Mountjoy Elizabeth Nieman - Mary Aaron Pozdol - George / Harold

The Creative Team:
Scott Carter — Playwright Adam Knight — Director Rebekah Leipold — Stage Manager Shawn Ketchum Johnson — Scenic Designer Karlē J. Meyers — Costume Designer Kim Fain — Lighting Designer Dakota Parobek — Sound Designer/Composer Stephen Polchert — Props Miriam Gilbert — Dramaturg Kathleen Johnson — Intimacy Director K. Michael Moore — Fight Choreographer Jackie McCall — Assistant Stage Manager Victoria Wojdan — Board Operator

08/18/2026

Fall 2026 at Riverside is officially on sale!

Whether you’re ready for Shakespeare, suspense, or a holiday trip back to Pemberley, there’s plenty to look forward to:
I, Will: A Late Romance — September 10–27�The Turn of the Screw — October 23–November 8�Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley — November 27–December 13

And there’s still time to become a Riverdog! Members get 50% off your ticket, plus early access and other great benefits throughout the season.�
Get your tickets now at riversidetheatre.org or call the Box Office at 319-259-7099 before your seats are gone!

08/17/2026

WORK WITH US!

Riverside Theatre is looking for a Patron Services Manager to help create a welcoming, engaging experience for our audiences, volunteers, and community. This part-time position averages 20 hours/week, with flexible daytime hours and evening/weekend shifts around our performance schedule. Starting at $18/hour, commensurate with experience.

Interested? Find the full job description and application details at https://riversidetheatre.org/employment

08/08/2026

📣 CAST & CREATIVE ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

It’s 1608. London is under the shadow of plague, the arts are struggling, Shakespeare’s latest tragedies aren’t drawing the crowds, and his acting company wants a hit. With his best work seemingly behind him, Shakespeare finds inspiration in an unlikely world of star-crossed lovers, brash rogues, and enterprising brothel keepers.

I, Will: A Late Romance is a funny, imaginative look at the man behind the masterpieces, and a playful exploration of the creative spark that may have inspired Shakespeare’s celebrated late Romances.
The production marks Riverside Theatre’s 40th world premiere in our 46-year history.

I, Will begins with two previews on September 10 & 11 and then opens September 12 and runs through September 27. Tickets are on sale now for Riverdogs and open to the general public on August 21! Learn more on our website www.riverside theatre.org/iwill

The Cast
Tim Budd - Will Joshua Fryvecind - Dick Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers - Marie Joseph Lepire - Stephen Janette Luu - Luce
Deucalion Martin - Bobby K. Michael Moore - Mountjoy Elizabeth Nieman - Mary Aaron Pozdol - George / Harold

The Creative Team:
Scott Carter — Playwright Adam Knight — Director Rebekah Leipold — Stage Manager Shawn Ketchum Johnson — Scenic Designer Karlē J. Meyers — Costume Designer Kim Fain — Lighting Designer Dakota Parobek — Sound Designer/Composer Stephen Polchert — Props Miriam Gilbert — Dramaturg Kathleen Johnson — Intimacy Director K. Michael Moore — Fight Choreographer Jackie McCall — Assistant Stage Manager Victoria Wojdan — Board Operator

08/04/2026

The story doesn’t end when the curtain falls. Continue the conversation and discover more behind each production. We’re excited to announce Oaknoll Retirement Residence as the presenting sponsor of the Oaknoll Sunday Talkback Series: one of Riverside Theatre’s favorite traditions!

Hosted by Miriam Gilbert, these post-show conversations invite audiences to hear directly from directors and actors about the stories, themes, and creative choices behind each production. It’s a chance to ask questions, share reflections, and discover more about the process of bringing a play to life.

The 2026–27 Oaknoll Sunday Talkback Series includes:
• I, Will: A Late Romance by Scott Carter (world premiere) September 13, following the Sunday matinee
• The Turn of the Screw by Jeffrey Hatcher, after the novella by Henry James October 25, following the Sunday matinee
• Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon November 29, following the Sunday matinee
• Athena by Gracie Gardiner January 24, following the Sunday matinee
• Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett February 28, following the Sunday matinee
• Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage April 18, following the Sunday matinee

Join us after the performance for a conversation that continues long after the curtain falls.

Learn more about the 2026–27 Season and become a Riverdog today at riversidetheatre.org.

07/31/2026

Beloved classics. Fresh perspectives. Stories that stay with you. Riverside Theatre’s 2026–27 Season has arrived, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the Wilson Family Stage!

This season features: • A world premiere imagining Shakespeare’s final masterpiece • A chilling theatrical thriller • A holiday return to Pemberley • An exhilarating story of friendship and competition • One of theatre’s greatest modern classics • A Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of love and longing

Whether you’re revisiting a literary favorite or discovering a powerful new voice, every production offers the intimate, unforgettable theatre experience you’ve come to expect from Riverside.

Explore the full season, renew your Riverdog membership, or become a member for the first time today. We can’t wait to share these stories with you.

See the full season and learn more at riversidetheatre.org.

07/24/2026

It’s showtime!

After an incredible week of creativity from twenty young playwrights and an inspiring week of rehearsals from our professional actors, the first Playmaker Project performance takes the stage tonight at 6:30 p.m. and the second performance is tomorrow morning at 10am.

These talented actors have poured their hearts into bringing each original script to life, honoring the imagination, humor, and creativity of our young playwrights with care, joy, and incredible artistry. We couldn’t be more grateful for their hard work and dedication in helping these stories leap from the page to the stage.

Join us to celebrate these remarkable young writers and the artists who have helped make their visions a reality. Every play is completely original and inspired by the incredibly art on display at The Stanley Museum. And every performance is a celebration of the power of a child’s imagination.

🎟️ Get your tickets at www.riversidetheatre.org/playmaker

A special thank you to Hills Bank for making the Playmaker Project possible and helping inspire the next generation of storytellers.

07/23/2026

🎨 A week ago, twenty young playwrights walked into the Stanley Art Museum looking for inspiration. This weekend, their stories come to life on stage! 🎭

Join us for the first Playmaker Project performance on Friday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. and a second cast of young playwrights will have their stories performed on Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m.
These performances are funny, creative, heartfelt, and a wonderful celebration of young voices. Come support these amazing playwrights and experience the magic that happens when a child’s imagination takes center stage. 🎟️ Get your tickets now at www.riversidetheatre.org/playmaker.

Last week, our Playmaker Project campers have explored the art of playwriting by creating original characters, imagining unforgettable worlds, and writing plays inspired by works of art that captured their imaginations. Every script is completely original, and every story is uniquely their own. This week, professional actors are hard at work rehearsing these incredible plays, and we can’t wait to share them with you! We can’t wait to see you there!

A huge thank you to Hills Bank for making the Playmaker Project possible and helping inspire the next generation of storytellers.

07/17/2026

🎨 Inspiration can come from anywhere...and for our Playmaker Project campers, it started at the Stanley Art Museum.

Earlier this week, each young playwright explored the museum galleries, selected a piece of artwork that captured their imagination, and used it as the spark for an original play. From paintings and sculptures to unexpected details hidden in the art, each camper discovered a story waiting to be told.

Back at Riverside Theatre, those ideas became original scripts filled with memorable characters, creative adventures, lots of laughs, and even some heartfelt moments. Watching these young artists transform inspiration into theatre has been nothing short of amazing.

Now it’s your turn to experience their work!

These original plays will be brought to life by professional actors in two public performances:

🎟️ Friday, July 24 at 6:30 PM
🎟️ Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 AM

Join us in celebrating these talented young playwrights and the incredible stories they’ve created. Tickets are on sale now at www.riversidetheatre.org/playmaker! Thanks to the generous support of Hills Bank for helping to make this magic happen!

Address

119 E College Street
Iowa City, IA
52240

Website

http://www.riversidetheatre.org/

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