Jeff Chelesvig

Kristin Caskey, Executive Vice President, Content and Creative at Ambassador Theatre Group, has been elected Chair of the Board of The Broadway League. Learn more about Casey here!

The Independent Presenters Network (IPN) resumed its biennial meeting in London last month. The meeting, which is usually held every two years, was on hold for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Des Moines Metro Opera today announced a $2 million leadership gift from Des Moines-based philanthropists Nix and Virginia Lauridsen in support of a ground-breaking production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, which will kick off the organization's 50th Anniversary Season in 2022.

If you are coming to read a review of The Cornley University Drama Society production for The Murder at Haversham Manor,' this is the wrong review. If you've heard of this theatre company, then it is probably because you've seen a show called, 'The Play That Goes Wrong,' which is playing at the Civic Center this week as the closing of Des Moines Performing Arts Willis Broadway Series.

Each year, more than 5,000 students are impacted through the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA) program, a year-long signature Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) community initiative. The program focuses on enhancing the talents of high school thespians and their schools' theater programs, while providing a platform for recognition. The IHSMTA program launched in 2013 with nine Central Iowa schools participating and has grown to serve 68 schools across the state.  

Today, Des Moines Performing Arts, Central Iowa's leading not-for-profit performing arts organization, unveils its highly anticipated 2017-2018 Season.  This announcement includes dates for Des Moines' premiere engagement of HAMILTON, which will take the Des Moines Civic Center stage during Independence Day 2018.  Adding to the excitement, DMPA announces that the traditional five-show Willis Broadway Series Season Ticket package will increase by one additional show. 

Des Moines Performing Arts, in partnership with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY national tour and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, welcome Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky, who star as Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's national tour. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, is famously set in Iowa and will launch its national tour at the Des Moines Civic Center November 28 - December 5. Check out photos from the opening night below!

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Des Moines, which concluded on Sunday, May 17 at the Des Moines Civic Center. The triumphant three-week return grossed over $4.1 million at the box office and entertained nearly 60,000 patrons during 24 performances.  

Des Moines Performing Arts today announced that Jeff Chelesvig, the organization's president and CEO, was re-elected to The Broadway League's Board of Governors and Executive Committee. In both appointments, Chelesvig will help The Broadway League achieve its mission to foster increased interest in Broadway, as well as support the creation of profitable theatrical productions.

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) has named two new members to the organization's board of directors at its most recent board meeting.

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) board member E.J. Giovannetti is a recipient of the Broadway League's 2013 Star of Touring Broadway Award. Jeff Chelesvig, DMPA's President and CEO, presented the award to Giovannetti on behalf of the Broadway League during DMPA's annual board meeting on Thursday, June 20.

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) has announced the first-ever Triple Threat Award recipients for the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA). Announced in a surprise reveal during the inaugural Awards Showcase at the Civic Center on Monday, June 3, they are: Bridget Johnston - Waukee High School and Kellen Schrimper - Waukee High School. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The honorees of the Broadway League Awards, honoring excellence and achievement for Touring Broadway, were announced today during the Broadway League's 2012 Spring Road Conference. First presented in 1992, the Broadway League Awards recognize the contributions of those who have displayed exemplary service to the Broadway industry and are considered innovators of their craft.

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines today announced the addition of Laura Sweet to the staff as its Vice President & Chief Operating Officer.

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines announced the 2012-2013 season Monday evening in front of hundreds of Civic Center members

La Cage Aux Folles, starring film and TV actor George Hamilton and two-time Tony Award nominee and Christopher Sieber, just kicked off its national tour at Des Moines' Civic Center. Winner of three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, this flashy comedy made Tony Awards history as the first show ever to win the Tony Award three times for best production.

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines' Director of Marketing Barb Preuss was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Road Marketing Award last week in New York City during The Broadway League's 2011 Spring Road Conference.

The Iowa Lottery has become the first in the nation to offer an instant-scratch game based upon a hit Broadway musical. Sales in the 'Rock Of Ages' instant-scratch game began Monday. The $2 scratch ticket features artwork from the Broadway musical 'Rock Of Ages.' The Iowa Lottery has teamed up with the Tony-nominated hit show and the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines to bring a new experience to Iowa unlike any other. The Civic Center will present the hit musical April 19 - 24 as part of its Willis Broadway Series. Tickets for this engagement also went on public sale Monday.

Tickets for individual performances of the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines' inaugural season of The Dance Series will go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010 at the Civic Center Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-8000 and online at CivicCenter.org.

At the Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 performances of Strega Nona: the Musical, the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines will surpass 250,000 students and educators served via its Applause Series.