River Valley Players
We are very fortunate to have the acting talents of this amateur performing group here in Rock Rapids. The River Valley Players performs in dinner theaters, musicals, and during Heritage Days. It seems like these shows only get bigger and better with each year. These shows would not be what they are without the wonderful casts that get selected each year. In the musical productions there are up to forty cast member. In the dinner theater productions there are fewer cast members, normally approximately ten. These shows are fun to watch and even more fun to be a part of. Everyone is encouraged to audition and help make magic for others on stage. Visit us on Facebook* to learn more about this great group.
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RVP History
River Valley Players was founded in 1973; but the first business meeting was not held until November 1974. The first musical produced was "Fantastics," and the first dinner theater was "Last of the Red Hot Lovers." In 1978, the name "River Valley Players" was chosen. The River Valley Players became a member of the Iowa Community Theater Association in 1979. In 1983, RVP began making offers to buy a new theater, but discovered it would be too costly to remodel. In 1986, RVP and other volunteers began remodeling the Intermission Theater. The musicals are currently performed in Forster Auditorium on Tom Gaspar Stage (stage renamed in 2013). The dinner theaters are held in the community building.
The RVP left the old theater in 1989. The RVP started to offer their $100 scholarship to graduating high school seniors in 1990. In 1994, the 20th anniversary of RVP was celebrated, and the drama scholarship was raised to $250. In 1998, RVP donated $15,000 to the construction of a new auditorium in the school. The first production in the new auditorium was "State Fair" in 1999. RVP performed at RAGBRAII when it came through in 1999. In 2001, RVP donated over $4,500 in equipment to the Forster Auditorium.
Sponsorship
RVP offers four different levels of sponsorship, and accept contributions during August and September of each year. The 1st level is Gold Saint which involves contributions of $300 or more and includes 6 season tickets to every production. The 2nd level is Saint for contributions of $200 or more and includes 4 season tickets. The 3rd level, Patron, includes 2 season tickets for a contribution of $100 or more. The 4th level is the Single Patron which includes 2 season tickets for a contribution of $60-$99. The 5th level of Donor is reached with a contribution of $35-$59.
Each sponsor receives early ticket ordering privileges, and also their name on all programs.
Past Dinner Theaters | Past Musical Productions |
1974- Last of the Red Hot Lovers |
1974-Fantastics |