Our Mission

The Festival mission is to present to Wapello County and the surrounding region and annual educationally-based festival celebrating the performing arts, specifically musical theater, in an open and friendly atmosphere.

Contributing to the Festival’s ongoing success is its location in Wapello County, Iowa. World-renowned as the setting for Grant Wood’s painting American Gothic, Wapello County provides an incomparable setting for audience members and guest artists alike with its natural beauty, impressive array of preserved historical architecture and a fine collection of performance venues.

Our Goals

  • Celebrate the performing arts within the social development of Ottumwa and Wapello County.

  • Promote the performing arts within the economic development of Ottumwa and Wapello County.

  • Value the wisdom of our elders and support the aspirations of our youth through the performing arts.

  • Advocate for the appropriate use, maintenance and creation of venues for the performing arts in Ottumwa and Wapello County.

Dennis Willhoit serves as the president and musical director for the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival. He is a active tenor soloist serving as principal tenor in the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. He made his debut solo performance with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 2014 and will return as soloist in 2015. Dr. Willhoit has taught at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Drake University and Coe College. In 2010, he was awarded UWSP’s Excellence in Teaching Award. He holds degrees from Simpson College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the University of Iowa, where he earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in vocal performance and pedagogy. His scholarly research has focused on the operatic works of Vivaldi. Dr. Willhoit was the founding conductor of the Greater Ottumwa Vocal Arts Project Children’s Chorus, which he conducted for 10 seasons. He will join the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra as their executive director in the fall of 2015.

Board Members

Kyle Roemerman, president

Connie Ferguson, vice president

Sara Lane, secretary

Ryan Mitchell, treasurer

Donna Bohlmann

David Bossou

Patti Durflinger

Andrea Edge

Christopher Ellerston

Chase Kelly

Jackie Lawrence

Mary Stewart

Cyan Bossou

Kami Millikin

Under the direction of local artist Chris Abigt, area high school students are creating a mural to be installed on the east side of the Temple property as part of the Terrace Garden. The mural will celebrate the joy of the performing arts and the role that the visual arts play in interpreting sound, movement and expression. During the Dedication Event, guests will be able to enjoy the mural project in process.