About Tom
Hello!
I have been a working theatrical professional for the past 45 years, working as an actor, director, scene designer, producer, and writer. Originally from Des Moines, companies credited to my resume include Charlie's Showplace Dinner Theatre, The Drake Opera, The Drama Workshop, The Old Creamery Theatre, The Iowa Theatre Artists Company, as well as many other arts groups around the state.
In 2014, my wife, Deb Kennedy, and I realized entertainment needs were changing; therefore we established TKM PRODUCTIONS. Our mission is to provide affordable entertainment that is as individual and unique as you. Whether you are planning a corporate event, or a family gathering, we can provide entertainment designed for your needs. Options range from dinner theatre productions, comedies, live music, or children's plays and workshops.
Tom Milligan and Humanities Iowa
I joined Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau 18 years ago with my one man show "GRANT WOOD: Prairie Rebel". Since then, I have added two more offerings -- "American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace", and most recently, "CARTOONS & CONSERVATION: A Visit with Ding Darling" If you would like to book one of these presentations for your corporation, or non-profit group, you can do so at https://www.humanitiesiowa.org/speakers-bureau
ABOUT TKM THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS
Tom Milligan has been a working theatrical professional for the past 45+ years, working as an actor, director, scene designer, producer, and writer. Originally from Des Moines, companies credited to his resume include Charlie's Showplace Dinner Theatre, The Drake Opera, The Drama Workshop, The Old Creamery Theatre Company, The Iowa Theatre Artists Company, as well as many other arts groups around the state.
Deb Kennedy has been working professionally for the past 25 years, working throughout the Midwest onstage, offstage, touring, and occasionally onscreen. Deb & Tom’s career paths crossed in 2005, where they quickly realized they were a great creative team, and the production Team of Kennedy & Milligan (TKM THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS) was established in 2014.
Our mission is simple. We desire to provide affordable entertainment to the Amana Colonies and the surrounding rural communities of Iowa. We strive to provide diverse entertainment, and life enriching projects, with offerings ranging from dinner theatre productions, comedies, live music, or children's plays and workshops.
Basically, our goal is to bring FUN to our community!
Events & Testimonials
CARTOONS & CONSERVATION: A Visit with Ding Darling
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace
CARTOONS & CONSERVATION: A Visit with Ding Darling
In 2016, Humanities Iowa partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to appoint Tom to write and produce a show about Pulitzer Prize winner and national conservationist, Jay N. D'ing Darling. This one act play was premiered at the 2016 Iowa State Fair, and has been in great demand ever since!
In this hour long presentation, Jay N. "Ding" Darling visits with the audience in his 11th floor office at The Des Moines Register. Beginning with his early years in Sioux City, where he became aware of the natural world around him, as well as his developing skills as an editorial cartoonist, he reflects upon his remarkable life journey. His story continues to include 2 Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoons for The Register, and a remarkable career as a nationally known conservationist. From the introduction of The Duck Stamp to the creation of the Natiional Wildlife Federation, Darling's influence was felt, not only through his cartoons, but through his actions as well. Considered by many to be one of the most influencial members of the modern conservation movement in the first half of the 20th century, the impact of his work is still felt today.
Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace
CARTOONS & CONSERVATION: A Visit with Ding Darling
Grant Wood chats with the audience in this 45 minute, one man show, as if talking to an old friend across the backyard fence, or maybe at his home at Five Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids. He tells us about his life and how he changed the art world forever with his work. It is the man behind American Gothic that we hear and see, and the story of how he took the moments, the memories, and the people of our state, and showed the whole world the specialness of this place, Iowa. After the presentation, the audience is encouraged to ask questions about Grant Wood and his life.
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace
In this one act play based on the award-winning book of the same name by Senator John C. Culver and John Hyde, Tom portrays Henry A Wallace, the agricultural innovator and founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed Corn Company, who also became US Secretary of Agriculture, and later Vice President under Franklin Roosevelt. Admired by many and later branded as a Socialist during his controversial 1948 campaign for the presidency, Wallace always held out a vision for the future.
Testimonals
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace
"His passion for both history and theatre is very evident during his presentations!"
"I learned more today from Tom's portrayal and performance than I did from any history class!"
"Outstanding. Professional. Captivating."
"Tom was very easy to work with, and very knowledgeable about his character. I loved talking to him after his performance."
"If you ever get a chance to hear Tom -- GO! You will be inspired!!! I was! I highly recommend it!"
"THANK YOU!!!....for all you do in delivering living history and conservation messages! Needed now more than ever!"
Upcoming Events
American Dreamer: The Life and Times of
Henry A. Wallace
Steamboat Rock Historical Society
512 W Market St.
Steamboat Rock, IA 50672
July 19, 2025
7:00 PM
Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel
Lake City Public Library
110 E. Washington ST.
Lake City, IA 51449
September 4, 2025
1:00 PM
Grant Wood:Prairie Rebel
Center Point Historical Society
Center Point Library
720 Main St.
Center Point, IA 52213
October 7, 2025
7:00 PM
Booking Information
If you would like to book a presentation for your organization, contact me at least 2 months prior to your event, to make sure I am available for that date and for your location.
You can also do bookings thru Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau, and find more information at: www.humanitiesiowa.org
I hope to hear from you soon!
TKM Theatrical Productions Events
EPISODE 2: STAGES an Original Miniseries about THEATRE by Jonesy McElroy
EPISODE 2: STAGES an Original Miniseries about THEATRE by Jonesy McElroy
EPISODE 2: STAGES an Original Miniseries about THEATRE by Jonesy McElroy
Join us at The Amana Performing Arts Center for the Iowa Premier Screening of EPISODE 2 of: STAGES: An original miniseries about THEATRE and the many characters behind the curtain.
EPISODE 2: Meet the new boss, Ms. Stone. She has some big ideas about how to whip this little theatre company into shape. The rest of the staff may or may not agree with her...
RATED: PG-13
There will be a talkback immediately following the screening with writer/director Jonesy McElroy, as well as some of the cast!
STARRING:
LISA MARGOLIN
GRANT BLADES
ROB MERRITT
MARQUETTA SENTERS
SEDONA HELMKE
ZACHARY GREIMANN
BEN MACUMBER
NATHAN KLEINMEYER
AND MORE...
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 26th at 6pm
LOCATION: The Amana Performing Arts Center, 39 38th Ave, Amana
Sponsored by: TKM Theatrical Productions
TICKETS & INFORMATION: $25
For Information contact: deborahkennedy@live.com
WHAT TO EXPECT:
6:00 pm: ENCORE SCREENING of Episode 1
7:00: Mix & Mingle with Jonesy & the cast!
Catered by Ox Yoke Inn
7:30: Informal Backstage Tour. (See some of the locations for filming)
7:45: THE SCREENING of Episode 2 Begins!
ABOUT THE WRITER/DIRECTOR:
Born and raised in Iowa, Jonesy McElroy began his theatrical career at 16, as an intern for the Old Creamery Theater Co. After receiving his B.A. in Cinema & Literature from the University of Iowa, Jonesy moved to Los Angeles, where he spent the last 20 years working in the Film & Television industry, lighting photography sets for ABC Television shows such as Dancing with the Stars, and The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Jonesy is also an independent Lighting Designer & Director for several well-known brands like AT&T, United Airlines, Samsung mobile. Jonesy also enjoys creative work as a portrait Photographer, Writer, Musician and Voice-over Artist.
SEX PLEASE WE'RE SIXTY by Michael Parker & Susan Parker
EPISODE 2: STAGES an Original Miniseries about THEATRE by Jonesy McElroy
EPISODE 2: STAGES an Original Miniseries about THEATRE by Jonesy McElroy
Join us at The Amana Performing Arts Center for a night of hilarity with SEX PLEASE WE'RE SIXTY by Michael Parker & Susan Parker
DATES: August 23-25
SHOW TIMES: Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 3 pm
Mrs. Stancliffe’s Rose Cottage Bed & Breakfast has been successful for many years. Her guests (nearly all women) return year after year. Her next-door neighbor, the elderly, silver-tongued Bud “Bud the Stud” Davis, believes they come to spend time with him in romantic liaisons. The prim and proper Mrs. Stancliffe steadfastly denies this but really doesn’t do anything to prevent it. She reluctantly accepts the fact that “Bud the Stud” is, in fact, good for business. Her other neighbor and would-be suitor, Henry Mitchell, is a retired chemist who has developed a blue pill called “Venusia,” after Venus the goddess of love, to increase the libido of menopausal women. The pill has not been tested. Add to the guest list three older women: Victoria Ambrose, a romance novelist whose personal life seems to be lacking in romance; Hillary Hudson, a friend of Henry’s who has agreed to test the Venusia; and Charmaine Beauregard, a “Southern Belle” whose libido does not need to be increased! Bud gets his hands on some of the Venusia pills, and the fun begins as he attempts to entertain all three women! The women mix up Bud’s Viagra pills with the Venusia, and we soon discover that it has a strange effect on men: it gives them all the symptoms of menopausal women, complete with hot flashes, mood swings, weeping, and irritability! When the mayhem settles down, all the women find their lives moving in new and surprising directions.
STARRING:
Cherryl Thomason
Tom Milligan
Meg Merckens
Marty Norton
Scot Hughes
Mary Haaf Wedemeyer
Location: The Amana Performing Arts Center
39 38th Ave, Amana
Produced by: TKM Theatrical Productions
TICKETS: $25
Group Rates & Information: deborahkennedy@live.com
THE ROOSEVELTS MEET DING DARLING
EPISODE 2: STAGES an Original Miniseries about THEATRE by Jonesy McElroy
THE ROOSEVELTS MEET DING DARLING
Join us for an evening with American Legends.
In this TWO ACT EVENT, you will hear the stories behind these two characters' lives that forged the path to change, thus making history.
Act 1: CARTOONS & CONSERVATION: A Visit with Ding Darling
This one act play was premiered at the 2016 Iowa State Fair and has been in great demand ever since!
In this hour-long presentation, Jay N. "Ding" Darling visits with the audience in his 11th floor office at The Des Moines Register. Beginning with his early years in Sioux City, where he became aware of the natural world around him, as well as his developing skills as an editorial cartoonist, he reflects upon his remarkable life journey. His story continues to include 2 Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoons for The Register, and a remarkable career as a nationally known conservationist. From the introduction of The Duck Stamp to the creation of the National Wildlife Federation, Darling's influence was felt, not only through his cartoons, but through his actions as well. Considered by many to be one of the most influential members of the modern conservation movement in the first half of the 20th century, the impact of his work is still felt today.
Act 2:
ROOSEVELT TAKES ON National Parks, Conservation, & Preservation
Theodore Roosevelt describes how he felt about conservation and preservation throughout his life, how his family felt about it, and how he saved more than 200 million acres of land for future generations to enjoy.
And YES! These two legends will cross paths and "meet" discussing the importance of conservation.
DATE: September 14
TIME: 7:00 pm
LOCATION:
The Amana Performing Arts Center
39 38th Ave, Amana
TICKETS: $15
Information: deborahkennedy@live.com
Sponsored by: TKM Theatrical Productions