Fishnets, corsets and call-outs will soon take over the Boone Theater as The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns for its annual participation screening on November 7 and 8 at 10 p.m. The event, now in its 10th year, is curated by Homie Simmonds, who has spent the last decade turning Boone into one of Iowa’s liveliest Rocky Horror destinations.
Simmonds’ connection to the cult classic goes back to her teenage years.
“When I was 15, we would sneak out to the Varsity Theater in Campustown for the midnight shows,” she said. “It was kind of a rite of passage.” Years later, she realized there were no screenings left in Iowa. “So I decided to make one happen,” she said.
The first production took place at the Boone Community Theatre as a fundraiser.
“They thought it was too risky,” Simmonds said with a laugh. “So I became vice president—and then I just made it happen.” The debut sold out, raising more than $2,000 and drawing fans from across the state.
Since then, the Rocky Horror screenings have become a Boone tradition. The show has now moved to the Boone Theater, where it continues to grow in both scale and audience enthusiasm.
“We’ve built something really special here,” Simmonds said. “People come from all over, Ames, Des Moines, even out of state, just to be part of it.”
Each night begins with a pre-show of local performers, followed by interactive games and traditions. First-time attendees, affectionately called “virgins,” are welcomed onstage for the Virgin Games, where they’re introduced to the rowdy, call-and-response spirit of Rocky Horror.
There’s also the infamous Shots and Swats with Mistress Homie, a long-running part of the Boone show.
“It’s totally optional,” Simmonds said. “We make sure it’s always about consent and fun.” Participants can choose to take a custom shot or a water version and receive a playful swat from Simmonds’ paddle before the movie begins. 21 and older, of course.
Audience members can also buy “shag bags,” which include props approved by the theater.
“We used to throw toast and rice, but that got messy,” Simmonds said. “Now we’ve got streamers, bubbles, and confetti. It’s still chaos, but a cleaner chaos.”
For Simmonds, the heart of Rocky Horror goes beyond costumes and callbacks.
“It’s always been a safe place for people to come together and just be themselves,” she said. “Especially for people in the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s a space where you can go and be free.”
After 10 years of running the Boone production, Simmonds said she’s proud of the community it’s built.
“We started with nothing,” she said. “We literally built our first screen out of plywood.”
As the lights go down and the first strains of “Science Fiction/Double Feature” fill the theater, Simmonds said the feeling never gets old.
“It’s fun, it’s weird, it’s exciting, and it’s ours.”
Tickets and prop bags for The Rocky Horror Picture Show can be purchased through the Boone Theater box office. It is also encouraged to buy tickets and or shag bags online through the QR code featured for the event. Costumes are encouraged, and participation is always welcome.