As we collectively enter a new year, Davenport's QC Theatre Workshop is ringing in 2014 with a trio of exciting events: an area premiere by guest artists from Iowa City; auditions for this spring's production of a recent Tony Award winner; and the opening of the latest show in the Workshop's 2013-14 season - the lead casting for which will be determined by the flip of a coin.

On Friday, January 17, and Saturday, January 18, the Workshop will present 7:30 p.m. performances of the debuting drama My Sister, written by University of Iowa Adjunct Professor Janet Schlapkohl. Moving between an apartment and a cabaret in 1934 Berlin, this 90-minute original work tells the story of twin sisters (played by Elizabeth & Emily Hinckler of Iowa City) trying to survive and realize their dreams as the world collapses around them, and explores perceptions of disability played against the backdrop of history.

Directed by Maria Vorhis, an Artistic Associate with Iowa City's renowned Working Group Theatre, the two-character My Sister is a passion project for author Schlapkohl, who earned a 2012 MFA in Playwriting from the University of Iowa, and is the founder of Combined Efforts Theatre - a non-profit organization purposefully inclusive of actors with disabilities. The QC Theatre Workshop's Artistic Director, Tyson Danner, says he's delighted for the chance to co-present this debuting work to local audiences.

"There is nothing more thrilling than helping to bring a new script into the world," states Danner. "The response to our first world premiere, last summer's A Green River, was beyond our wildest dreams, and that kind of support is enabling us to seek out many other original works to produce right here in the Quad Cities. It's our hope that these debuting plays will continue to find success long past their Workshop productions, as we saw with Augustana College's December presentation of A Green River."

On Saturday, January 25 at 1 p.m., the Workshop will host auditions for the company's springtime presentation of Venus in Fur, David Ives' erotic comedy that was Tony-nominated for Best Play in 2011, and earned star Nina Arianda the Tony for Best Actress in a Play. A hilarious and mysterious tale of role reversal, power shifts, and sexual gamesmanship, Ives' juicy two-character tale was a critical and commercial smash, and the Workshop's production of the show will require one woman who can play early- to mid-20s, and one man who can play 20s to 30s. Those auditioning should prepare a monologue of two minutes or fewer and be prepared to read from the script.

"Dynamism, power, and sexiness of Venus in Fur's kind are rarely seen on stage," says Danner, who will direct the May production. "It's safe to say that even the most avid theatre fans have seen nothing like it."

And the Workshop's winter wraps up with Sam Shepard's modern classic True West, a dramatic comedy about contentious brothers and elusive identity running February 21 through March 9. (Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.) With widely respected area-theatre veterans Jason Platt and Angela Rathman featured in its cast, True West will star Jeremy Mahr and Mike Schulz as warring siblings Austin and Lee, and in a unique twist, the central casting will be determined mere minutes before each performance, with an audience member flipping a coin to see which actor plays which role.

"Not only are we presenting audiences with this incredible play," says True West director Danner, "but we're essentially presenting two different versions of the play. We're hoping that audiences have as much fun seeing the different takes on True West as we are working on them."

As with the Workshop's previous productions, all its 2014 shows will be presented under "Pay What It's Worth" ticket pricing that finds patrons seeing the play first and paying on their way out, a policy that allows viewers to determine what the experience was worth to them personally, and that allows a wholly accessible theatrical experience for patrons regardless of financial means.

or e-mail info@QCTheatreWorkshop.org, and visit QCTheatreWorkshop.org and Facebook.com/

My Sister performance schedule

Friday, January 17, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 18, 7:30 p.m.

Venus In Fur auditions

Saturday, January 25, 1 p.m.

True West performance schedule

Friday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 22, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 23, 3 p.m.

Friday, February 28, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 2, 3 p.m.

Friday, March 7, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March, 3 p.m.

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Dec. 30, 2013 - Parents of babies born at Genesis BirthCenters in 2013, like others across the country, may have been partly influenced by pop culture when choosing names.

The most popular names for babies born at Genesis this year are both now popular in culture.

Sophia (19 babies), which had been a popular name already for the past several years, regained the top spot this year at Genesis, replacing Olivia (14 babies) as the most popular name for newborn girls at Genesis BirthCenters in Davenport and at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis.

Liam (21 babies), whose only appearance in the Genesis list was in 2011, beat out William and Isaac (tying at 16 babies) for the most popular name for baby boys.

Popular culture may have been part of the reason for the popularity of the names Sophia and Liam across the country, including the Quad Cities.

Sofia the First is a popular Disney animated series, which debuted as a television pilot in November, 2012. Sofia the First is now highly marketed by Disney, as you might have discovered this Christmas.

Sofia is a young commoner who becomes a princess when her mother marries the king of the make-believe Kingdom of Enchancia.

Sophia held the most popular slot for two of the last three years at Genesis before moving to the top again this year. Sophia is also the most popular baby name for girls in the U.S.

Liam, on the rise as a popular baby name in the U.S. since 2009, may owe some of its popularity to Australian actor Liam Hemsworth and his recurring role as Gale Hawthorne in the film series The Hunger Games. Hemsworth is a star with young fans.

The rest of the top five most popular girls names for Genesis babies were Olivia (14 babies), and a tie among Ava, Elizabeth, and Emma (10 babies).

Following Liam as the five most popular boys name at Genesis were William and Isaac (16 babies), and a tie between Carter and Ethan (15 babies) for fourth place.

The top five girls names nationally in 2013, according to babycenter.com were Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Isabella and Mia. The top five boys names were Jackson, Aiden, Liam, Lucas, and Noah.

While popularity is nice, a few babies born at Genesis in 2013 will have names they won't be sharing with others in their classes. Among the less common names given to babies born at Genesis in 2013 were Danatjonzqueen, Johntajia, Monserrat, Demonteez, Jamoliddin, and Quisontro.

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2013 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (19); 2. Olivia (14); 3 tie, Ava, Elizabeth, and Emma (10) 6. tie, Addison, Aubrey, and Mia (9); 9. Ella; 10. Charlotte

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2013 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Liam (21); 2. tie, Isaac and William (16); 4. tie, Carter, David, and Ethan (15); 7. tie, Aiden and Brayden (12); 9. Mason (11); 10. Logan (9)

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2012 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Olivia (18); 2. Isabella (17); 3. Sophia (14); 4. tie, Ava and Madison (12); 6. tie, Emma (11) and Zoey (11); 8. tie, Avery and Chloe (10); 10. Lily (9).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2012 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Mason (17); 2. Benjamin (14); 3. tie, William, Alexander and Noah (13); 6. Elijah (12); 7. tie, Henry, Anthony, Jayden and Jackson (11).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2011 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (22); 2. Ava (17); 3. tie, Addison and Isabella (16); 5. Lily (13); 6. tie, Olivia, Emily and Ella (11); 9. Madison (10); 10. Kylee (9).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2011 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Alexander (17); 2. Elijah (15); 3. tie, Noah and Landon (14); 5. Logan (13); 6. tie, Owen, Aiden, Brayden, Liam (12); 10. tie, Gavin and Jackson (11).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2010 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (30); 2. Isabella (23); 3. Emma (22); 4. Ava (20); 5. Addison (18); 6. Ella (17); 7. tie, Madison (14) and Madelyn (14); 9. tie, Lillian (13) and Abigail (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2010 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Mason (22); 2. Aiden (17); 3. tie, Alexander (13); Jacob (13); Jayden (13); Luke (13); Zachary (13); 8. tie, Noah, Owen, Caleb, Benjamin, and Carter (12).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2009 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Isabella (27); 2. Olivia (20); 3. Addison (17); 4. Abigail (16); 5. Ava (15); 6. Grace (14); 7. tie, Emily; Emma and Madison (12); 10. tie, Alexis and Hailey (11).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2009 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Noah (20); 2. tie, Ethan and Carter (19); 4. Alexander (18); 5. Logan (17); 6. tie, Jacob and Aiden (16); 8. Benjamin (15); 9. Jack (14); 10. William (13).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2008 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Addison (21); 2. Hailey (20); 3. Madeline (18); 4. tie, Abigail, Emily and Emma (17); 7. tie, Isabella and Olivia (16); 9. Chloe (15); 10. Ava (12).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2008 At Genesis Birth Center

1. Jaden (25); 2. Aiden (23); 3. tie, Alexander and Noah (21); 5. tie, Kaiden and William (19); 7. tie, Landon and Logan (17); 9. Elijah (16); 10. Benjamin (15).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2007 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Ava (22); 2. Olivia (21); 3. tie, Addison and Lily (18); 5. Elizabeth (16); 6. tie, Madeline, Alexis, Sophia, Isabella (14); 10. tie, Emma, Madison (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2007 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Aiden (29); 2. tie, Noah and Jacob (18); 4. Ethan (17); 5. tie Jackson, Tyler, Landon, Gabriel, Benjamin, William and Alexander (Alex) 15.

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2006 at Genesis Birth Centers

1. Emma (29); 2. Olivia (20); 3. tie, Ava and Hannah (19); 5. Addison (18); 6. Grace (17); 6. Isabella (16); 7. Abigail (15); 8. tie, Alexis and Lauren (14); 10. Emily (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2006 at Genesis Birth Centers

1. Ethan (28); 2. tie, Aiden and Carter (20); 4. tie, Andrew, Logan, Mason and Noah (17); 8. tie, Alexander and Jacob (16); 10. tie, Hunter and Joseph (15).

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Crowdfunding campaign will use funds to purchase the theater as a nonprofit; kickoff event Dec. 28

TIPTON, Iowa?The Hardacre Theater Preservation Association (HTPA) has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase the theater using the crowdfunding website Indiegogo. The campaign's goal is to raise $60,500 before Jan. 30, 2014.

The HTPA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is using Indiegogo to fund Phase 1 of its fundraising campaign, with the goal of purchasing the theater on Jan. 31, 2014. Phase 2, which will begin after the purchase, will involve raising funds to renovate and rehabilitate the theater.

The "Save the Hardacre" Indiegogo campaign will use a "flexible funding" option, meaning the campaign must reach its goal to receive the total funds donated. If the fundraising goal is not met, the HTPA will only receive 91% of the money raised.

"This is why it's incredibly important to meet our fundraising goal of $60,500," said Greg Brown, HTPA president. "While this is less severe than the all-or-nothing crowdfunding campaign we originally planned to use, meeting our goal will mean the difference between making the purchase deadline or failing to make it."

To access the campaign, go to indiegogo.com and search for "Hardacre Theater" or find the link at the HTPA website at thehardacre.org. Donors can give via credit card.

"Crowdfunding sites like Indiegogo are used to fund projects big and small and have a worldwide reach in terms of potential donors," said Brown. "This opens our donor pool considerably, but we need donations from local community members to really pull this off."

The purchase price for the theater is its assessed value, $96,100. One donor has pledged a $40,000 matching donation toward the purchase price. The Indiegogo campaign is designed to raise the remaining amount, in addition to $4,400 in campaign fees.

Campaign donations are tax deductible, and donors can choose from a variety of donor rewards, depending on their level of giving. Those rewards include free tickets to post-renovation Hardacre movies, T-shirts and art prints of the theater designed by local artists, and invitations to the Hardacre's post-renovation grand opening event.

Donors will also get special perks from local businesses throughout the campaign, including freebies and discounted items from local businesses.

Kickoff pizza party Dec. 28

There will also be a campaign kickoff pizza party Dec. 28. The event will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 28, at A Place to Land, 523 Cedar St., in Tipton. The public is invited to attend and learn about the Indiegogo fundraising drive.

In addition to food and drinks, a "donation station" will be set up for participants to join the funding drive. HTPA board members will be on hand to answer questions and thank donors and those interested in volunteering to save the Hardacre.

"This event is our way of thanking community members for the incredible support we've received in the past year," said Brown. "We want to bring as many people together in the community as possible and thank them for joining our cause."

For more information, go to thehardacre.org.

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