Creating Live Theatre Drive-In - Des Moines Playhouse

Opening night: Volunteer meeting at which one said, “I’ve missed volunteering at The Playhouse!” and all shouted their agreement

Opening night: Volunteers help direct cars to their spots

Opening night: Volunteers come around to collect donations

Opening night: Volunteers greet each other safely in the parking lot

Opening night: We Are Iowa news capture the excitement and spoke with artistic director Katy Merriman

Opening night: Part of the audience

Opening night: drone shot

Donations: The show hasn’t even opened and, thanks to you, we have $17,000 in our Dollar for Dollar Match AND the public has already contributed $8000+!

Dress rehearsal: Actors Kellie Kramer and Micheal Davenport

Dress rehearsal: Guests enjoy Tropical Sno

Dress rehearsal: Guests walked over with their blanket.

Dress rehearsal: Associate artistic director Angela Lampe and family enjoying dinner. (Note: The picnic table is not available at performances as that is where our stage manager sits.)

Dress rehearsal: Actress Kellie Kramer in her dressing room

Dress rehearsal: Actor Micheal Davenport in his dressing room.

Dress rehearsal: Stage manager Abby Kilpatrick sprays bug spray around the set.

Dress rehearsal: WHO-TV13 reporter Whitney Blakemore talks with actress Kellie Kramer

Dress rehearsal: WHO-TV13 reporter Whitney Blakemore talks with director Katy Merriman.

Dress rehearsal: IF you need to use facilities, you need to wear a mask and follow the path. A staff member will sanitize after you leave the restroom.

Dress rehearsal: Guests check in at 41st Street and Rollins.

Dress rehearsal: After checking in at 41st St & Rollins, cars drive to the south parking lot entrance to be directed to their parking spots.

Dress rehearsal: Staff directs guest to their parking spot

Dress rehearsal: Sample parking spot ID

Dress rehearsal: Staff have pop and candy available for sale. Price is pay-what-you-can. Refreshments provided by Fareway. Thanks!

Dress rehearsal: Staff come to you with refreshments for pay-what-you-can prices.

Dress rehearsal: Actors Dani Boal and Bobby Nalean

Dress rehearsal: Actor Bobby Nalean

Dress rehearsal: Actor Dani Boal

Dress rehearsal: Actors Dani Boal and Bobby Nalean

Dress rehearsal: Actors Dani Boal and Bobby Nalean (and photographer Steve Gibbons’ cool ride)

Dress rehearsal: Director Katy Merriman welcomes the audience

Dress rehearsal: Stage manager Abby Kilpatrick and sound engineer Tim Harris

Dress rehearsal: Director Katy Merriman tests one of the FM radios available for those using lawn chairs

Dress rehearsal: Stage manager Abby Kilpatrick raises the stage lights

Dress rehearsal: Pruning in the parking lot

Dress rehearsal: Mic check for actors Dani Boal and Bobby Nalean

Dress rehearsal: Actor Dani Boal with costume coordinator Jessica Van essen

Dress rehearsal: Production team backstage

Crew preshow assignments

“Grounds crew” rehearsing what to do if it rains during a show including removing backdrops, rolling light stands into the theatre, and pulling a tarp over the stage

Crew rain procedure

Dress rehearsal: Kellie Kramer and Micheal Davenport

Dress rehearsal: Steve Berry in Love Letters

Dress rehearsal: Gina Gedler in Love Letters

Dress rehearsal: Director Katy Merriman works with Gina Gedler and Steve Berry in Love Letters

Dress rehearsal: Gina Gedler and Steve Berry in Love Letters

Dress rehearsal aerial view of several cars and lawn chairs in position

Dress rehearsal night: Master electrician Virgil Kleinhesselink

Dress rehearsal night: Scenic designer Alex Snodgrass

Dress rehearsal night: Angela Lampe stops in actress Gina Gedler’s dressing room

Dress rehearsal night: Associate artistic director Angela Lampe pops into actor Steve Berry’s dressing room

Dress rehearsal night: Stage managers Abby Kilpatrick (far left) and Paige Berry (near right) in the Green Room

Dress rehearsal: Cars check in at 41st Street and Rollins.

Dress rehearsal night: Artistic director and Love Letters director Katy Merriman

Love Letters set in place

View from the farthest point

Mapping out the parking (white pathways are where guests can walk if they really need to leave their space)

View from the stage

Building the stage