NEWS LETTER
"THE BACKSTAGE PASS"
A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT!
The laboratory has closed, but Players Workshop applauds the success of the Young Actors’ Production of Dr. Experimentor and the League of Evil by Charlotte Nixon.
It truly was a “youth” production!! Not only were the actors made up of area kids, but there were 3 junior assistant directors (young actors from previous YAP shows), and theater “kids” worked on set crew, stage management, hair and makeup, costuming and other backstage areas, which help make the onstage show run smoothly. We also send out a kudos to all the adults who made it happen.
The future of community theater in Burlington would appear to be in good hands.
MYSTERY TO OPEN NEW SEASON
Players Workshop will open the 2026-2027 theatrical season with Angel Street, a suspense thriller by British author Patrick Hamilton.
Set in 1880 Victorian London on Angel Street, in the Pimlico District, the play is a dark tale of a marriage based on deceit and trickery, as Jack Manningham tries to drive his fragile wife Bella insane, in order to conceal his own illegal activities.
It is also the play that gave rise to the term “gaslighting,” a form of mental torture defined as “the practice of psychologically manipulating someone into questioning their own sanity, memory, or powers of reasoning.”
Appearing in Angel Street are Adam Fauser as Jack Manningham and Kara Ewinger as Bella Manningham. Estel Walker portrays Inspector Rough, Dorothy Schulte portrays the sympathetic servant Elizabeth, and Kiersten Cox is the flirty servant Nancy. All are from Burlington, except for Schulte, who comes from Ft. Madison.
Lee Franklin is directing, assisted by Dev Rohr. Michelle Huppenbauer will produce.
Angel Street will run at The Workshop, 1431 Grove St., on Oct. 2-4 and 8-11, 2026. All shows are at 7:00 p.m. except for 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on Oct. 4 and 11.
Angel Street is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. For more information, call the Workshop at 319-753-6623, go to the Workshop’s Facebook page.
TICKET SALES UPDATE - 2026-27
Now is the time to buy your season tickets for Players Workshop’s 2026-2027 theatrical season.
Although mailings have gone out to previous year’s season ticket holders, you can get yours online or by sending back the filled-out form on the following page. Your season ticket covers all four main season shows: Angel Street, Let Nothing You Dismay, How I Became a Pirate, and Silent Sky. (It does not cover the youth summer show.)
Due to increasing production costs, the prices have increased slightly for 26-27. Costs for the season tickets are as follows:
Adult - $60.00
Senior Citizen (new category) - $55.00
Student - $40.00
Individual prices for a season show are $18 (aduls), $16 (senior citizen), and $12 (student). Ticket pries for the summer youth production remain at $10/adults and $5/student.
Also, don’t forget Throwback Thursday. On Thursday nights only, individual ticket prices will be rolled back to last year's rates—just $15 for adults and $10 for students for the show that night!
Patrons are reminded that all evening shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. The box office will open 60 minutes before the show. Matinees will continue to start at 2:00 p.m.
For more information on season tickets, please contact season ticket committee chair Jean Ballinger at jean@myiowacpa.com or at 319-759-3617.
AUDITIONS SET FOR DEC. SHOW
Players Workshop will hold open auditions on Oct. 11-12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Workshop, 1431 Grove St., Burlington. for the holiday offering Let Nothing You Dismay by Topher Payne
Needed are a minimum of 8 actors— specifically, 4 men and 4 women (varying ages)-- for a production that has these 8 actors playing 22 characters in a lightning-paced holiday farce about a young couple awaiting the arrival of their first child!
For more information contact director Gene Anderson at geneanderson3318@hotmail.com, go to www.playersworkshoptheater.com or the FB page.
Let Nothing You Dismay is produced through special arrangement with Best Idea Wins Inc.
NEWS FROM THE COSTUME TEAM
Cyndy Fabel reports that significant progress has been made in cleaning and organizing the costume closet. Thanks to Christine Claeys, Steve Poling, and Kent Lewis for their construction/engineering expertise that allowed the crew to organize curtains, bedding, and pillows for the stage designers.
Although much has been done, much remains to do, so they are still NOT accepting new donations right now—“unless you have something truly unique which you think we NEED.” Also, please DO NOT leave items on the stairs at the Workshop.
They also need more volunteers--specifically people who can help put costumes away after a production--they will train you.
Please contact Nikki Critser (319-572-1406), Christine Claeys (319-759-4512), or Cyndy Fabel (319 671-1228) with inquiries or help.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SALE!
According to Garage Sale Chair Libba Flores, this year’s event was “Another amazing success!!! She extended thanks to all who donated, helped with set up/teardown, sorted, worked the sale, and, of course, made purchases. “We couldn’t have done it without you!!” All unsold items were donated to local charities.
The proceeds of $2,310.30, will be used for projects to improve the PW theater. Last year’s proceeds went to helping replace the lobby floor.
From Players Workshop--Thank you to everyone who gave of their generosity, time, and energy,
PW SUPPORTING CAST 2026-2027
Players Workshop invites you to join the Supporting Cast for 2026-2027 season.
This one-time financial donation runs for the theatrical season, contributing significantly to the financial stability of PW.
All those who join will have their names listed in each play program and newsletter, as well as on the PW website, for 2026-27.
You may join the Honorary Supporting Cast for 2026-2027 by completing the form at the end of this newsletter or the form in your play program.
Donations may be made in one of the following categories:
Usher $25-$99 Stage Crew $100-$249
Supporting Actor $250-$499 Star $500-$999
Director $1000-$2499 Producer $2500+
The following have already joined for 2025-2026.
Director
Star
Supporting Actor
Gene & Joy Anderson
Jon & Peggy Hart
Colleen Heibner
Kathy Schneider
Stage Crew
David Beckman
Robert & Connie Bowen
Darla Fisher
Roger Griswold
Karen Hassel
Carol Janosik
Denise Johnson
Mike & Karen Johnstone
Dorothy Leazer
Prugh Funeral Home
Jim Raudabaugh & Pauline Spees
Peggy Stott
Usher
Judith Bartachek
Donna Carlson
Jacquelyn Edwards
Russ Fry
George Gruenther
Robert Haines
Scott Hartje
Dave & Melinda Hentzel
Faith Krause
Sandra Lee
Jean Link
Michael Miller
Linda Peitz
Pamela Pinkston
Jane Sanford
Valerie Sanford
Anita Stapleton
James Wilson
You may join the Supporting Cast by filling out and returning the form at the end of this newsletter. Thank you in advance for your support of Players Workshop.
PLAYERS WORKSHOP sends thanks to the following who made general donations since the last newsletter: Cindy Boyle, Mary Fickel, Jane Housewright, Amy Sykes, Jennifer Davis, Donna Pindell, Marie Milfot, Joni Hartje. Thank you for supporting local community theater.
**From new PW Treasurer Carol Hinkle—If there are errors or needed corrections, please contact her at pwtreasurer@outlook.com.
FROM WORKSHOP PRESIDENT
MARY FOX . . .
Players Workshop’s online ticketing software recently added an option for patrons to round up their ticket order as a donation to Players Workshop. We offered this opportunity during our recent youth production, and we were thrilled to see how many people took advantage of it!
Fifty-six patrons rounded up their purchases, contributing a total of $191 to Players Workshop.
We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who chose to round up their purchases. Your generosity helps support the many things that go into bringing theater to our community, from productions and costumes to sets and everything in between.
One dollar may not seem like much, but when many people give a little, it can make a big difference. We hope you'll consider rounding up your purchase the next time you order tickets.
Every little bit helps, and every donation is appreciated!
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