In his own words, Shepard sought with this play to “destroy the idea of the American family drama”. But in his attempt to destroy the idea of the drama, he drew attention to the belief throughout the country that the American family had already been destroyed.

Indeed, pride manifests in Torch Song not as a feeling to be celebrated once a year but as a routine practice, a strength that Arnold and all queer people must regularly conjure in order to keep going in a world that is often hostile to their existence.    

Harvey Fierstein’s original iteration of Torch Song was actually three separate one act plays that premiered Off-Off-Broadway in consecutive years starting in 1977. The first was entitled The International Stud, which followed Arnold Beckhoff, a Jewish drag queen living in New York, searching for his “international stud.” He meets Ed Reiss, a bisexual teacher who struggles with what exactly he is searching for in life.

We are thrilled to “shine a light” on an organization that does so much for the Des Moines community. Their reach and impact is substantial!

A Christmas Carol production aims to challenge expectations and reinvigorate original themes for audiences of our time.

Winnifred stands with nothing to lose, ready to sell her soul for, ‘more of the same’, as Elisabeth admonishes.

“I’m not arguing for the end of the world but then again maybe I am. This one, anyway.” Alone on stage, Elizabeth Sawyer opens Jen...

Assistant Director Maggie Schmitt and Director Alex Wendel sit down with John Busbee on the 2/21/24 edition of KFMG's The Culture Buzz....

Iowa Stage Theatre Company has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, via the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, for its upcoming...

Jan. 20 | 11:00am-5:00pm+ 1472 NE 69th Pl Ankeny, IA 50021 We are opening our doors to meet so many of the talented individuals in our...

We're excited to announce that Dove Haase has joined us as our new Development Director! Dove joins Iowa Stage with 15 years of...

Iowa Stage Theatre Company is excited to announce the addition of Davida Williams and Alex Wendel to the organization. They will step...

A Bright New Boise, opening May 12th, is a story of faith and forgiveness in a box store. It follows Will who moves from his rural Idaho...

At the Stoner Theater March 31 - April 9, 2023 Alice Childress is a National Book Award and Pulitzer nominated novelist, whose 1973 A...

Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC), central Iowa’s home for award-winning theater that inspires, enlightens and entertains, is presenting....

Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC), central Iowa’s home for award-winning theater that inspires, enlightens and entertains, is excited to...

Long Day’s Journey Into Night moves to 25 March Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC), central Iowa’s home for award-winning theater that...

Director John Graham and Artistic Director Matthew McIver spoke to John Busbee of the Culture Buzz about It's A Wonderful Life: A Live...

Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC), central Iowa’s home for award-winning theater that inspires, enlightens and entertains, is partnering...

27 October 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IOWA STAGE THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES RETURN TO STAGE Iowa Stage Theatre Company presents Bekah...