The two day convention includes the production of WCCT’s Over the Speed Limit Players at 7 p.m. March 27, in addition to workshops at the Performing Arts Center throughout March 28 at 1001 Willson Ave. The awards program on March 28 will be at the Briggs Woods Conference Center located at 2501 Briggs Woods Trail.

Loween Getter, who is on the board for ICTA, said this is the third time Webster City has hosted this convention.

“I think the last time was in 1993,” she said, “But I’ve been to more than I can remember. I’ve met a lot of people through ICTA functions, it’s good fellowship and good networking and friendship. If you don’t learn from theater and you don’t make friends then you aren’t doing things right.”

The two day event brings workshops that help actors and organizers of community theater build their craft.

“I’m excited so many of our local people are participating,” she said. Two WCCT veterans, Amelia Oliver and Danny Blankenship will be leading workshops on Saturday afternoon.

There is a lot of value to bringing a convention like this to Webster City. Participants can come in early before the event begins, and they can stay a little longer. But they also may make an additional trip in the future.

“I think it’s good exposure for Webster City,” said Getter. “I just think that when we get people to town and get to show off the convention center, they will want to come back.”

Return visits might be to attend another community theater production. One of the workshops held on Saturday will be on the creation of senior theater, such as WCCT’s Over the Speed Limit Players.

Senior Broadway shows are a new concept developed by Music Theatre International for actors over the age of 55. The performance will introduce this musical option for other community theaters to consider.

This version of the musical contains the characters, storyline, and songs that are familiar to audiences, just condensed to a bit over an hour. Loween Getter is leading rehearsals for the show with music assistance from Dane Barner. Technical direction is by Sam Ose and Sally Evans.

Dean Evans reprises his role as Tevye, with Mary Sealine playing his wife Golde. Their five daughters are portrayed by Anne Blankenship, Jeanette Tempel, Anne McLaughlin, Angela Rottering, and Loween Getter. Other cast members are Mark Dohms, Dale Arends, Dave Borer, Mark Andrew, Sylvia Vust, Bill Greenley, Joe Gale, Kathy Oliver, Tim Berven, Don Zompa, and Pat Powers.

The public is invited to attend the production at 7 p.m. on March 27 and at 2 p.m. on March 29. General admission tickets will be available at the door and online at webstercitycommunitytheatre.org for $10.

Saturday Activities

On March 28, convention attendees will explore four workshops on a variety of theater topics.

Amelia Oliver will lead “An Introduction to Onstage Stunts.” She is a graduate of WCHS and U of I with a BA in Theatre Arts & Communications. She has 15 years of professional experience in film and television in Austin, TX where she discovered a passion for stunt work. She is trained in everything from stunt work and high falls to combat, weapons, choreography, fire, and precision driving. The hands-on session will cover basic mentality and safety, general movement and special skills.

Katy Hahn, assistant professor of Theatre at UNI, teaches acting, directs mainstage shows, is a dialect coach, and an Educator Advocate with Theatrical Intimacy Education. Her workshop on “Best Practices in Theatrical Intimacy” will cover consent-based and trauma-informed work for safer and effective collaboration.

Danny Blankenship, another WCHS graduate with a degree in theatre from the University of South Dakota, will lead the workshop on “Open Scene Work.” Open scenes are designed for two actors to work on short scenes for character development and performance delivery.

John Pergano, COO and Director of Education & Development at Music Theatre International and Loween Getter will present a workshop on “Senior Theatre.” Pergano will discuss MTI’s Broadway Senior program. Getter will share other options for involving seniors in theater and outreach possibilities.

Other afternoon activities include lunch and the ICTA annual meeting and election.

Awards Gala

The evening will conclude at Briggs Woods Conference Center with a banquet and announcement of Awards of Excellence winners. Nominees have been chosen for excellence in directing, acting, and a variety of technical areas in plays and musicals.

Among the nominees are WCCT volunteers who were involved in “Of Men and Cars,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “The Mocha Cafe Murders” during 2025.

To register for the workshops, go to the Iowa Community Theatre Association website, at www.iowatheatres.org to register. The cost to attend the March 27 performance and the March 28 workshops and Gala is $110. If only attending the workshops and evening Gala, the price is $85.

The two shows of “Fiddler on the Roof” are both open to the public. The show begins at 7 p.m. March 27. The matinee performances will be held at 2 p.m. on March 29.

The cost to attend the first productions of the Over The Speed Limit Players, is $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased through the WCCT website or at the door.