Passing a seasonal baton for stage excellence

The Cloris Awards celebrate nine years as the catalyst for central Iowa in recognizing the united excellence of community-produced theatre. Through its annual Awards Program, the Cloris Awards unite the Des Moines theatre community and enhance the visibility of local theatre companies and productions. 

The arts and cultural economic numbers are impressive. According to the Americans for the Arts “Arts & Economic Prosperity Report,” the Greater Des Moines region generates $185 million in total economic activity, supporting 5,677 full-time equivalent jobs. The regional theatre scene is a lively barometer for year-round stage production work, and the companies involved invite everyone to come get a special glimpse into this past year’s highlights at the Cloris Awards on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Hoyt Sherman Place Theatre.

When a small group of theatre enthusiasts gathered to ponder the idea for a Greater Des Moines theatre awards program in 2014, expectations were cautious, and hopes were high. Determining categories was easy. Naming the event? Not so much — until Michael Morain suggested honoring Cloris Leachman, the beloved Des Moines native and one of Iowa’s very few Oscar winners. The next step was a big one. Someone needed to contact Ms. Leachman to get her blessing to use her name for these awards. Through the venerable Des Moines Playhouse, where Cloris performed while still attending Roosevelt High School, then Executive Director John Viars helped connect a project team member to Eddie Rissien, one of Cloris’ closest friends from high school. Mr. Rissien, after learning of the request, contacted Cloris, then replied that Cloris could be called on her personal cell phone at a certain time on a certain day. 

When the call was made, before the caller could complete his question to Cloris, she enthusiastically responded, “The answer’s ‘yes’ — you can use my name.” The complex game of telephone netted not only Cloris’ commitment to the program but a promise to attend the 2016 awards event. She did so with members of her family and her high school friend and longtime pal, producer Eddie Rissien, appearing at not only the awards event but a memorable series of events honoring her legacy. 

The Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Awards were up and running. Theatre companies across the metro embraced the program. By year three, the event outgrew its original Kum & Go Theatre confines, moving to the much larger and more accommodating Hoyt Sherman Place Theatre. This move elevated the event, reflecting the red-carpet look and feel it deserved. Thanks to generous underwriting, the Cloris Awards continue to be free to attend.

Interested in being an official Cloris Awards judge?

If you have a background, experience and passion for theatre, coupled with an interest in being part of this stellar awards program, the Cloris Board (representative members from the participating theatre companies) are seeking qualified people to expand the judging team. No experience is necessary, and Aug. 14 is the deadline to apply. Always striving to add new and diverse perspectives to the judging pool, the Board will use a scoring process similar to the one the Iowa Community Theatre Association uses for its Awards of Excellence. Judges receive free tickets to see seven to 10 assigned shows during this coming season through June 30, 2024. Consider being a new kind of cultural adventurer and visit the website: https://clorisawards.org/judging.

New seasons readied for new audiences

Around this time of the year, theatre companies are launching their 2023-2024 seasons. Des Moines Performing Arts is back at full steam, from its Willis Broadway Series, to its Temple Shows (Comedy, Music and more), to its dance series, as well as many other offerings. The Des Moines Playhouse offers an appealing mix of musicals (including the eagerly anticipated “Once”), plays, children’s theatre, and the return of The Penguin Project. Ankeny Community Theatre takes on bolder productions, including a musical (“The Addams Family”), a world premiere, as well as drama and edginess. CAP Theatre continues its tradition of engaging students through their musicals. Iowa Stage Theatre Company recently shifted its season to the calendar year, with “Athena,” a dramatic comedy, this fall followed by their holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Carousel Theatre of Indianola brings three shows to its next season. Tallgrass Theatre Company kicked off its season this summer with another dynamic musical concert, “Pippin,” and continues with a tantalizing mix of shows. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre has yet to share its future plans.

Add Ballet Des Moines with its exceptional programming, the Des Moines Symphony, Hoyt Sherman Place Theatre, Civic Music Association, and the always irresistible Des Moines Metro Opera, and performing arts patrons will have a year-round feast for their cultural appetites. If there is a rewarding challenge to be made, it would be to embrace the role of cultural adventurer this coming season and try a couple of new venues, new experiences. The journey will be well worth it. ♦

John Busbee is a creative project developer, critic, playwright, author, producer and media professional. He has produced his weekly show, The Culture Buzz, on KFMG since 2007.