Tom Milligan
Tom Milligan has been a working theater artist in the Midwest for the last 35 years. He spent 12 years at Iowa's first dinner theater, Charlies Showplace. While on staff their he worked as the company Production Stage Manager. He appeared in over 60 shows, designed more than 70 sets as well as the full time company stage manager.
When Charlies closed in 1985, after 114 shows, Tom and two others formed The Two Rivers Acting Company, originally setting up shop in the current location of Java Joes. It was the first non-profit theater in Des Moines. The theater closed after 3 seasons having produced full length shows such as "Talley's Folly", "Nuts," and a complete evening of Edgar Allen Poe.
Tom also spent 6 years at The Drama Workshop where he sat on the board as well as being the first paid position the Workshop employed. His job as Technical Coordinator, made him responsible for the design of 18 sets for the Workshop over his tenue.
Tom was a member of The Iowa Touring Theater Company (formally Actors On Tour), the professional wing of The Des Moines Playhouse for 9 seasons. Tom acted, directed, designed shows, and acted as road manager for tours around the Midwest.
Teaming with playwright Cynthia Mercati, Tom has produced several independent touring productions over the last 10 years. "Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel" has been touring for 8 years with over 750 performances, "Henry A. Wallace: The life and Times of Henry A. Wallace" is in it's 4th year of touring with over 250 performances to include shows in Washington, DC. "Milliken's Bend" written by Cynthia and Emmy award winner Greg Alan Williams was performed by Tom and Greg Alan and commission by Hoyt Sherman Theater and viewed by over 3,000 school students. "Christian Petersen: The Gentle Sculptor" was commissioned for Iowa State University and performed on campus. "Battle Cry For Freedom" commissioned by The Des Moines Choral Society, featuring Emmy award winner Hal Holbrook with Tom Milligan was presented at The Des Moines Civic Center. Their last original play, "The Totally True Completely Fictional Story of the Mother of Jesse James" was featured at the inaugural Des Moines Fringe Festival in 2005.
Their current on going residency work includes "The Home Front," a W.W.II musical featuring Tom and 6 high school actors reliving the experiences of Ray Pugh and friends during W.W.II. Originally produced at Hoyt Sherman Theater the performance has been repeated in other school districts such as Greenfield, Johnston, and Oceola.
Tom and Cindy are currently working with The Iowa Historical Building to create theater projects within the building. Two schools, Winterset and Hubbell, in Des Moines are working the Tom and Cindy to write and produce their own shows in the spring of 2006. They are also creating a 30 minute play based on Forrest Spaulding for the grand opening of the Downtown Library in Des Moines in April of 2006.
Other projects Tom has been involved with have been many. He spent 2 years as the scenic designer at The Ingersoll Dinner Theatre. He has appeared in several shows for StageWest, The Kate Goldman Children's Theatre, The Des Moines Playhouse, The Vaudeville Mews, and most recently The Old Creamery Theatre Company in Amama.
He has been for the last 2 summers a company member for Shakespeare on the Lawn at The Salisbury House. He is currently the Scenic Designer and Technical coordinator for the Drake Opera, a position he has held for the last 4 years. When not on stage, Tom has worked as talent for The Iowa Lottery, John Deere, Wells Fargo, and The Iowa Pork Producers among others.
Along the way Tom has been a member of The Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau, The Heartland Arts Fund, The Metro Arts Alliance, and the Iowa Arts Council. He has twice received for his work The Outstanding Actor Award for American Association of Community Theaters at the state level competition and once at the regional competition.