2018 Cloris Awards

aug 26 - aug 26, 2018
Theatre:
Special Events
  Congratulations to our colleagues on their Cloris Awards nominations. Click here for a full list of nominees.  

Playhouse production nominations

  A Chorus Line nominations
  • Best Musical
  • Demarius Fisher Jr (Richie), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Spencer Gilbert (Zach), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Lorena Eclatt (Diana Morales), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Megan Helmers, Best Choreography
  • Virgil Kleinhesselink, Best Lighting Design
  Disney’s The Little Mermaid nominations
  • Best Production, Youth & Family Division
  • Blake Clyde (Sebastian), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Jackie Schmillen (Ursula), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Savannah Trotter, Best Performance by a Rising Star
  • Brenton Brown, Best Music Direction
  • Megan Helmers, Best Choreography
  • Angela Lampe, Best Costume Design
  Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” nominations
  • Best Musical
  • Best Production, Youth & Family Division
  • Best Performance by an Ensemble, Youth & Family Division
  • Allyson Martens, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
  • Katy Merriman, Best Direction
  A Little House Christmas nominations
  • Best Production, Youth & Family Division
  • Best Performance by an Ensemble, Youth & Family Division
  • Kevin Shelby, Best Scenic Design
  Mamma Mia! nomination
  • Kellie Kramer (Donna Sheridan), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
  Meredith Willson’s The Music Man nomination
  • Jack Gabby (Winthrop Paroo), Best Performance by a Rising Starr
  Misery nomination
  • Kimberly Manuel, Best Scenic Design
 

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Playhouse Performance Academy: Musical Cabaret

jul 21 - jul 21, 2018
Performance Times:
1:00 & 4:00 PM
Run Time:
70 minutes, performed without intermission

The Playhouse’s Performance Academy presents Musical Cabaret, a showcase, Saturday, July 21, 2018. Shows are at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with proceeds going to the Playhouse’s youth programming.

Performance Academy read more

Sponsored by:
Marquis Bundy
Cast
Bailey Dorr
Carson Doss
Emma Erdoes
Heather Garland
Tyndal Hervey
Amanda Jarnagin
Terri Karnes
Catherine May
Samantha Miller
Jordan Toelle
Addie Van Dyke
Hope Weber
Chelsea Haaland
Directors
Katy Merriman
Taylor Millar
Maddy Sheets
Assistant Director

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: July 29, 2017
Subject: Des Moines Playhouse Performance Academy Presents Musical Showcase
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Community Playhouse Performance Academy presents a musical showcase Cabaret, Saturday, July 21, 2018. Shows are at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Due to renovations at the theatre, Performance Academy Cabaret will be performed at the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines.Tickets are pay-what-you-can with proceeds going to the Playhouse’s youth programming, and can be purchased at dmplayhouse.com or at the door.

Performance Academy Cabaret is a 60-minute musical showcase. Students will be singing selections from “Avenue Q,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” and more. The cast, under the direction of Chelsea Haaland, Katy Merriman, and Taylor Millar, and assistant director Maddy Sheets includes Marquis Bundy, Bailey Dorr, Carson Doss, Emma Erdoes, Heather Garland, Tyndal Hervey, Amanda Jarnagin, Terri Karnes, Catherine May, Samantha Miller, Jordan Toelle, Addie Van Dyke, and Hope Weber.

Each July, talented, dedicated teens from across the Des Moines metro come to the Playhouse. Their destination: Summer Performance Academy. Students in grades 7-10 have spent two weeks in intensive acting, singing, and dancing classes, all while rehearsing musical numbers that they will perform for the public. Alumni of Performance Academy include Marissa Spahn and Jessica Martens, who have both received Triple Threat Awards at the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards.

For more information on Performance Academy, summer theatre classes, and other Playhouse educational offerings, contact the Playhouse education department at 515-974-5365.

The Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

Playhouse Performance Academy Performances: July 21, 2018
1:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Playhouse Performance Academy Cabaret Tickets
Pay-what-you-can with proceeds benefiting Playhouse youth programming
To purchase tickets:
dmplayhouse.com
515-277-6261
Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312

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Final Act Ensemble Summer 2018 Showcase

jul 22, 2018; 3:00 pm
Performance Times:
3:00 PM
Run Time:
2 hours including a 15-minute intermission

Tired of the same old stuff on TV? This July, the Final Act Ensemble radio theatre group is back on the air with classic old-time radio! Laugh along with Fibber McGee & Molly and George Burns & Gracie Allen, then shudder at The Shadow! Visit read more

Jim Arthur
Mary Jane Brittain
Katie Brooks
Shirley Dalby
Al Downey
Ruth Downey
Jerry Eisenhour
Barbara Keck
Molly Ketchum
Elysa Koss
Melinda Leseney
Hu Lundberg
R.J. Lundgren
Susie McCauley
Sharrie Milner
Mark Pullen
Mary Gill Reeves
Don Rothweiler
Jayme Rothweiler
Marsha Szymczuk
Ed Truslow
Nancy Waldman
Jerry Eisenhour
Director
Elysa Koss
Music Director

Dance Workshop: Billy Elliot Free Dance Workshop

jul 8, 2018; 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Performance Times:
2:00-4:00 PM

To help dancers prepare for auditions, Billy Elliot‘s choreographer, Megan Helmers, will conduct one free workshop in the Drama Room at Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines.

The workshop is not mandatory but will give those read more

Curtain Crowd Night at Mamma Mia!

jul 22, 2018; 2:00 pm
Theatre:
Curtain Crowd, Mainstage

The goal of Curtain Crowd is to introduce young adults to the Playhouse, creating new audience members, volunteers, and donors. Membership is free and available online at https://www.dmplayhouse.com/curtain-crowd

You’ll receive an exclusive read more

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

may 10 - may 10, 2019
Performance Times:
9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM Friday
Run Time:
Approximately 40-45 minutes
Theatre:
Friday Funday

Goldilocks has been very naughty. She has eaten the bears’ porridge, broken their chairs, and messed up their beds-and all of this without even knocking! Will the bears get home in time to catch her in the act?

Interactive Theatre Shows read more

Snow White

apr 12 - apr 12, 2019
Performance Times:
9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM Friday
Run Time:
Approximately 40-45 minutes
Theatre:
Friday Funday

Snow White is banished from the kingdom by a queen who is jealous of her beauty. Things look up for her when she happens upon a small cottage in the forest. Will she remember the most important rule? Whatever you do, don’t open the door!

Interactive read more

Fin M’Coul

mar 1 - mar 1, 2019
Performance Times:
9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM Friday
Run Time:
Approximately 40-45 minutes
Theatre:
Friday Funday

Once upon a time, Ireland’s glens and woods were filled with fairies, leprechauns and giants, including the legendary Fin M’Coul. Will he and his wife Oona be able to outwit the giant bully, Cucullin? Find out in this classic Irish folk tale. Don’t read more

The Mitten

feb 8 - feb 8, 2019
Performance Times:
9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM Friday
Run Time:
Approximately 40-45 minutes
Theatre:
Friday Funday

In this Clubhouse at the Playhouse favorite, a young child drops his mitten in the snow and does not realize it is missing.  As woodland creatures seek warmth inside the mitten, it magically grows and grows!

Interactive Theatre Shows read more

The Golden Goose

jan 18 - jan 18, 2019
Performance Times:
9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 1:30 PM Friday
Run Time:
Approximately 40-45 minutes
Theatre:
Friday Funday

Once upon a time, there were three brothers. Only the youngest one is kind and unselfish enough to share his food with a poor, hungry old man. His gift is a beautiful golden goose with especially sticky feathers. Will it be enough to make a gloomy read more