Riverside Theatre
For 40 years and counting, Riverside Theatre has brought serious-minded professional theatre to the heart of Iowa City. To foster a deeper appreciation for the dramatic arts – from classics to entirely new works-- they have produced more than 40 world premieres and annual free Shakespeare productions. During the pandemic, critically acclaimed virtual productions successfully brought professional theatre into people’s homes. Working with Wastyn & Associates over the last year, their successful Next Stage capital campaign funded construction of a beautiful, state-of-the-art venue in Iowa City’s Ped Mall that will host interesting and engaging productions for their next 40 years.
Riverside Theatre believes a great city deserves serious theatre: theatre that breaks down barriers, sparks discourse, and helps build an inclusive community. For example, their upcoming season features a wide variety of shows from a world premiere to a show about a Black student debating race, history and power with her white professor, an “electropop opera” based on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, the complete works of Jane Austen performed in just 80 minutes, and more - all in an institution led by passionate regional theatre professionals dedicated to their roles as cultural community leaders.
Over the last year, Riverside Theatre raised funds to open a new home in the heart of downtown Iowa City. Thanks to the fantastic dedication and work by their capital campaign committee, their new theatre opened on February 4, 2022. The new, state-of-the-art 150-seat black box space will allow them to expand the types of theatre and other programs they can offer, while establishing a live theatre presence in a burgeoning arts district.
Wastyn & Associates had the privilege of supporting Riverside Theatre through their hard work on this capital campaign that raised more than $1.96 million (and counting), exceeding their original $1,821,000 goal.