School of Rock

Wannabe rock star Dewey Finn has been kicked out of his own band and makes a desperate attempt to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Clearly unqualified to teach, Dewey dreams of turning his classically trained, straight-A students into guitar-shredding rockers who can win the Battle of the Bands. Can they do it? This talented cast of young performers (and adults!) will play and sing you the answer live on stage.

Note: The original film on which this show is based is rated PG-13 for mild profanity.

Throughout the run of School of Rock The Playhouse is collecting new No. 2 pencils. These will be given to Families Helping Families in Iowa and included with other school supplies in new backpacks given to nearly 7000 youths in the foster system.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays, July 12-28; ADDED SHOWS: 7:30 PM, Friday, Aug. 2, & Saturday, Aug. 3
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours 30 minutes including a 15-minute intermmission
Content Advisory:
Contains adult language. The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.
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In the News

Interview with Meara Wallace and Austin Myers, We Are Iowa Local 5, July 9, 2024

Interview with Meara Wallace and Austin Myers, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, July 10, 2024

Interview with Austin Myers, We Are Iowa Local 5, July 15, 2024

Company

  • Zack

    Shea Beilgard

    Zack
  • Marcy

    Vivian Rosalie Coleman

    Marcy
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Berkeley Coyne

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Ned

    Ian Crumley

    Ned
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Will Donaghy

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Mason

    Blake Dreckman

    Mason
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Cedric Fevrier

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Rosalie

    Jaqueline Giltner

    Rosalie
  • Henry / Cover

    Henry Goerend

    Henry / Cover
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Chelsea Haaland

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Madison / Cover

    Liliana Haaland

    Madison / Cover
  • Patty

    Katharine Hyland

    Patty
  • Shonelle

    Aislin Koopman

    Shonelle
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Dionysus Lewis Manuel Jr

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Joy Mielke

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Billy

    Evan Moyer

    Billy
  • Dewey

    Austin Myers

    Dewey
  • Lawrence

    Andrew Nelson

    Lawrence
  • Sophie

    Adeline Pollmann

    Sophie
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Derek Schwab

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Tomika

    Kodä Denise Scott

    Tomika
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Philip Daniel Scott

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Freddy

    DJ Simmons

    Freddy
  • Katie

    Berry Stevens

    Katie
  • James

    Micah Talley

    James
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Tanner Tillotson

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Aaliyah Trimble

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Summer

    Meara Wallace

    Summer
  • Teacher / Parent / Ensemble

    Katherine Watkins

    Teacher / Parent / Ensemble
  • Director

    Katy Merriman

    Director
  • Music Director

    Brenton Brown

    Music Director
  • Choreographer

    Michael Tomlinson

    Choreographer
  • Scenic Designer

    Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Sam Stephen

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Sarah Beth Weinberg

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Jen Green

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Music Director

    Eric Layden

    Assistant Music Director
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Finn Coons

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Troy Ellerbroek

    Assistant Stage Manager

Photos/Video

  • School of Rock features young people (and at least one adult) playing live on stage. Left to right: DJ Simmons as Freddy (drums), Shea Beilgard as Zack (guitar), Austin Myers as Dewey (guitar), Andrew Nelson as Lawrence (keyboards), and Berry Stevens as Katie (bass). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Playhouse School of Rock cast members: (front row, left to right) DJ Simmons, Blake Dreckman, Berry Stevens, Shea Beilgard, Austin Myers, Kodä Denise Scott, Liliana Haaland (seated on floor), Adeline Pollmann (seated on amp); (back row, left to right) Micah Talley, Henry Goerend, Aislin Koopman, Vivian Rosalie Coleman, Meara Wallace, Andrew Nelson, Evan Moyer. School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Back-up singer Tomika (Kodä Denise Scott) and Dewey (Austin Myers) with the band, Lawrence on keyboards (Andrew Nelson), Zack on guitar (Shea Beilgard), Katie on bass (Berry Stevens), and (hidden) Freddy on drums (DJ Simmons). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Dewey (Austin Myers) with band manager Summer (Meara Wallace). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Back-up singers (left to right) Marcy (Vivian Rosalie Coleman), Tomika (Kodä Denise Scott), and Shonelle (Aislin Koopman) with the band, Lawrence on keyboards (Andrew Nelson), Zack on guitar (Shea Beilgard), Katie on bass (Berry Stevens), and Freddy on drums (DJ Simmons). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The tech crew (clockwise from left): Mason (Blake Dreckman), Henry (Henry Goerend), Billy (Evan Moyer), Madison (Liliana Haaland), and Sophie (Adeline Pollmann). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Band manager Summer (Meara Wallace) and security (Micah Talley). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • The band: Freddy on drums (DJ Simmons), Zack on guitar (Shea Beilgard), Lawrence on keyboards (Andrew Nelson), and Katie on bass (Berry Stevens). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • School of Rock band featuring Shea Beilgard as Zack on guitar, Andrew Nelson as Lawrence on keyboards, Austin Myers as Dewey on guitar, DJ Simmons as Freddy on drums, and Berry Stevens as Katie on bass. School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • The tech crew (clockwise from left): Mason (Blake Dreckman), Henry (Henry Goerend), Billy (Evan Moyer), Madison (Liliana Haaland), and Sophie (Adeline Pollmann). School of Rock is July 12-28, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: July 28, 2024
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: School of Rock
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse presents the Broadway musical School of Rock, July 12-28, 2024. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. School of Rock is sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Foundation.

Wannabe rock star Dewey Finn has been kicked out of his own band and makes a desperate attempt to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Clearly unqualified to teach, Dewey dreams of turning his classically trained, straight-A students into guitar-shredding rockers who can win the Battle of the Bands. Can they do it? This talented cast of young performers (and adults!) will play and sing the answer live on stage. Note:  The original film on which this show is based is rated PG-13 for mild profanity.

The Playhouse cast includes Shea Beilgard, Vivian Rosalie Coleman, Berkeley Coyne, Ian Crumley, Will Donaghy, Blake Dreckman, Cedric Fevrier, Jacqueline Giltner, Henry Goerend, Chelsea Haaland, Liliana Haaland, Katharine Hyland, Aislin Koopman, Dionysus Lewis Manuel Jr, Joy Mielke, Evan Moyer, Austin Myers, Andrew Nelson, Adeline Pollmann, Derek Schwab, Kodä Denise Scott, Philip Daniel Scott, DJ Simmons, Berry Stevens, Micah Talley, Tanner Tillotson, Meara Wallace, and Katherine Watkins. School of Rock is directed by Katy Merriman, with music direction by Brenton Brown, choreography by Michael Tomlinson, scenic design by Nicholas Amundson, costume design by Jessica Van Essen, and lighting design by Sam Stephen.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. 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. 

School of Rock Performances
July 12-28, 2024
7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays
2:00 PM Sundays

The IRIS Sensation Team will provide audio description for the 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 14, performance. The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations with advanced notice. These services are free and reasonable accommodations will be made. Requests should be made through The Playhouse ticket office.

School of Rock Tickets 
Tickets start at $29
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours: Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 90 minutes prior curtain on show days

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Show Credits

Based on the Paramount movie by Mike White

Book by Julian Fellowes

Lyrics by Glenn Slater

New Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

SCHOOL OF ROCK is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com

Sponsored by

  • MidAmerican Energy Foundation