Donna Reed Foundation tweaks format

DENISON, Iowa — The format for the Donna Reed Workshops will change this year as the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts explores ways to expand its program year-round.

“We are looking at changes that remain true to the original purpose of the foundation but reach wider audiences and interest groups in our communities,” said Molly Paulsrud, managing director of the foundation, which was created to continue the works of the Academy Award-winning Reed, a native of Denison, Iowa.

In the past, the Donna Reed Performing Arts Workshops took place the third week in June, primarily at Denison High School. Performing arts professionals traveled to Denison to share their talent, experience and knowledge.

Beginning this year, the workshops will be presented in a weekend format to accommodate students' time and finances. One weekend workshop will take place in Denison, and the other weekend sessions will be held in other Iowa cities or in large cities bordering Iowa.

For 2010, plans call for one or two weekend workshops. In the future, three or more weekend workshops may be scheduled during the year.

Each weekend workshop will concentrate on one or two of the performing arts areas that were a part of the weeklong format.

The Donna Reed Foundation Board is contacting organizations that could be workshop partners.

For example, the Donna Reed Foundation has a relationship with the Iowa High School Speech Association. Each year the Donna Reed Foundation provides a judge for the state large group speech contest and, as a partner, the foundation is able to provide information to students about the workshops.

The foundation also works with the Iowa Film Office and the Iowa Motion Picture Association.

“We've lost so many students who couldn't take an entire week off from their summer jobs to attend the workshops,” said Pat Fleshner, foundation vice president. “We hope the new weekend format will give more students access to the workshops.”

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