Des Moines Playhouse

Des Moines Playhouse (often branded simply as 'The Playhouse') is a nonprofit community theatre based in Des Moines, Iowa, and is widely described as one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the United States. It produces a full annual season of musicals, plays, family productions, and special events, and operates extensive education and volunteer programs. Its programming spans a Signature Series of large-scale titles, a Kate Goldman Family Series for young audiences, the Adventure Clubhouse series for very young children, the Final Act Ensemble for older performers, and the Penguin Project, which pairs young artists with disabilities with peer mentors. The Playhouse presents its work at its own venue in Des Moines and sells season tickets, flex packages, single tickets, and gift certificates through its website and box office. Recent and upcoming seasons have included titles such as Come From Away, Annie, Les Misérables, Amadeus, Mean Girls, The Lifespan of a Fact, and family shows like Junie B. Jones, Anne of Green Gables, and The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors. The organization also runs classes and camps for youth and adults, school matinees, scholarships, an internship program, and the Performance Academy, which mounts youth productions such as Disney's The Little Mermaid Kids. As a community theatre, the Playhouse relies heavily on volunteers, who are recognized through its Encore Awards for Volunteers of the Year and Legends. It is governed by a board of directors and managed by professional staff, and it maintains an online archive documenting its history and production history. The theatre also hosts special events such as Runaway Twain Improv and Best of Broadway tours, and offers accessibility features including sensory-friendly performances. Note on identity: the name 'Playhouse Theater' also appears in public records as a former movie theater in St. Petersburg, Florida. That entity is distinct from the Des Moines Playhouse, which is the active community theatre described here.

Des Moines Playhouse is a community theatre in Des Moines, Iowa, and is commonly cited as one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the United States. It has produced a continuous slate of plays, musicals, and educational programming for more than a century, and it maintains an online archive of its history and production history. Over its long run, the Playhouse has developed several distinct programming strands. Its Signature Series presents large-scale musicals and plays, with recent and announced titles including Come From Away, Annie, Les Misérables, Amadeus, Mean Girls, and The Lifespan of a Fact. The Kate Goldman Family Series serves young audiences with adaptations such as Junie B. Jones in Boo… and I Mean It!, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, Anne of Green Gables, and The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors. The Adventure Clubhouse series targets very young children with short fairy-tale-based shows like The Princess and the Pea, The Gingerbread Child, The Mitten, The Golden Goose, Rapunzel, The Little Red Hen, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The Playhouse also operates the Final Act Ensemble, a performance group for older adults, which has staged productions such as Fright Night, a Halloween 2026 show, and a Summer 2027 show. The Penguin Project pairs young artists with disabilities with peer mentors and has produced The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. The Performance Academy mounts youth productions including Disney's The Little Mermaid Kids. Special events include Runaway Twain Improv and Best of Broadway tours. Education is a major part of the Playhouse's mission. It offers classes and camps for youths and adults, scholarships, school matinees, and internship programs. The theatre also runs a robust volunteer program, with auditions, backstage opportunities, and guest services, and it recognizes volunteers through the Encore Awards for Volunteers of the Year and Legends. The organization is governed by a board of directors and managed by professional staff, and it publishes an online Playhouse Archive. Ticketing options include season tickets for the Signature Series and Kate Goldman Family Series, Flex 4 packages, Family 4-Packs, single tickets, and gift certificates, with exchange and redemption options. The theatre provides a safety guide, concessions, and sensory-friendly performances, and it accepts requests for donated tickets. Its website lists a 2026-27 season calendar and a range of ways to connect with the organization. Note on identity: public records also list a 'Playhouse Theater' as a former movie theater in St. Petersburg, Florida. That is a separate, defunct entity and is not the Des Moines Playhouse described here.

• 2026

  The Playhouse announces its 2026-27 season, including Signature Series titles Come From Away, Annie, Les Misérables, Amadeus, Mean Girls, and The Lifespan of a Fact.

• 2026

  Kate Goldman Family Series season includes Junie B. Jones in Boo… and I Mean It!, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, Anne of Green Gables, and The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors.

• 2026

  Adventure Clubhouse season features The Princess and the Pea, The Gingerbread Child, The Mitten, The Golden Goose, Rapunzel, The Little Red Hen, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

• 2026

  Final Act Ensemble stages Fright Night and announces a Halloween 2026 show and a Summer 2027 show.

• 2026

  Penguin Project produces The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition.

• 2026

  Performance Academy presents Disney's The Little Mermaid Kids.

• 1919

  Des Moines Playhouse is founded and begins operations as a community theatre in Des Moines, Iowa.

A long-running nonprofit community theatre offering professional-quality productions, youth education, and inclusive programming for the Des Moines area.

• Signature Series

  Mainstage season of large-scale musicals and plays.

• Kate Goldman Family Series

  Family-oriented productions for young audiences.

• Adventure Clubhouse

  Theatre series for very young children based on fairy tales.

• Final Act Ensemble

  Performance group for older adults.

• Penguin Project

  Program pairing young artists with disabilities with peer mentors.

• Performance Academy

  Youth production and training program.

• Education programs

  Classes, camps, scholarships, school matinees, and internships.

1. 1Home - Des Moines Playhousedmplayhouse.com
2. 2History - Des Moines Playhousedmplayhouse.com
3. 3Production History - Des Moines Playhousedmplayhouse.com
4. 4Volunteer of the Year Awards History - Des Moines Playhousedmplayhouse.com
5. 5Playhouse Theater - Wikidatawikidata.org