Des Moines Playhouse

What Des Moines Playhouse does

Des Moines Community Playhouse (operating as Des Moines Playhouse) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional theatre founded in 1919 and headquartered at 831 42nd Street in Des Moines, Iowa. It operates as the largest and oldest theatre organization in Iowa, running two physical venues: the John Viars Theatre (renovated 2018, 413 seats) and the Studio Theatre (renovated 2024, black box space with six configurations seating 165-225). Programming is organized into distinct series — the Signature Series (mainstage Broadway hits and classics), the Kate Goldman Family Series (family-friendly productions with school matinees), Adventure Clubhouse (interactive preschool theatre), Final Act Ensemble (senior adult radio-play troupe), The Penguin Project (inclusive theatre for youth with developmental disabilities alongside peer mentors), and Penguin+ (extended programming for Penguin Project alumni).

The organization's business model combines earned revenue from ticket sales, season ticket packages, flex passes, gift certificates, education classes and camps, internships, group sales, and Best of Broadway Tours (NYC travel packages) with contributed revenue from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors. Ticket prices cover less than 65% of production costs, with the balance funded through donations and grants. Distribution is primarily direct via the Salesforce-powered online ticketing platform and an in-person ticket office, supplemented by group sales and a school matinee channel serving student audiences during school hours.

Go-to-market is event-driven and community-centric, anchored by a five-platform social media presence (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram), email newsletters, and a content-marketing website. Recent strategic moves include the 2024 Studio Theatre renovation, the launch of Penguin+ and Sensory-Friendly Performances, and ongoing corporate sponsorships with Infomax Office Systems, Variety – The Children's Charity, Sammons Financial Group, ITA Group, and Fareway Stores. Leadership includes Executive Director Chelsea Haaland and Director of Philanthropy Jordan Bles. The organization does not disclose revenue and operates with 11-50 employees; no AI/ML capabilities or proprietary technology products beyond Salesforce-based ticketing are evident.

Name

Des Moines Playhouse

Legal name

Des Moines Community Playhouse

Website

https://Dmplayhouse.Com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Des Moines Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional theatre founded in 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa, operating two venues and multiple programming series (Signature, Family, Penguin Project, Adventure Clubhouse, Final Act Ensemble) serving families, seniors, schools, and youth with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts and Live Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Amateur Theatre (MPAGABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Live theatre productions
• Community performing arts
• Family theatre series
• Inclusive theatre programs
• Theatre education classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Single tickets and season tickets for Signature Series, Kate Goldman Family Series, and other productions. Ticket prices cover less than 65% of the cost of producing shows.
2. Donations and Grants: Support from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors. The theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. Best of Broadway Tours: Trips to New York City offered several times each year including roundtrip airfare, hotel, and three theatre tickets.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Des Moines Playhouse is a nonprofit regional theatre that produces and presents live stage productions across multiple programming series, including mainstage Broadway-style musicals and dramas (Signature Series), age-appropriate family productions (Kate Goldman Family Series), interactive preschool theatre (Adventure Clubhouse), senior radio plays (Final Act Ensemble), and inclusive musicals featuring youth with developmental disabilities (The Penguin Project). It also runs theatre education classes, school matinees, internship programs, and curated New York City Broadway tours, supported by an in-house ticketing system, donation programs, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Des Moines Playhouse is a community theatre organization offering multiple theatre production series and educational programs. The core offerings include the Signature Series (mainstage Broadway productions at the John Viars Theatre), the Kate Goldman Family Series (age-appropriate family theatre), and Adventure Clubhouse (interactive preschool theatre). Special programming includes The Penguin Project (productions by youths with disabilities), Final Act Ensemble (senior radio theatre), and Best of Broadway Tours (NYC trips). The venue operates the John Viars Theatre (413 seats, renovated 2018) and Studio Theatre (165-225 seats, black box, renovated 2024). Additional services include education classes and camps, school matinees, internship programs, sensory-friendly performances, and a digital archive.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Penguin Project: A program where young artists ages 10-21 with developmental disabilities perform modified Broadway musicals alongside peer mentors
• Final Act Ensemble
• Best of Broadway Tours
• Adventure Clubhouse
• John Viars Theatre
• Studio Theatre

Products and services

• Signature Series

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Infomax Office SystemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Come From Away production (September 11 – October 4, 2026). Sponsorship provides marketing support and visibility for the production.
• Variety – The Children's CharitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Penguin Project Production of Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo Jr (August 13-16, 2026). Supports inclusive theatre programming for youth with developmental disabilities.
• Sammons Financial GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Penguin Project Production of Finding Nemo Jr. Corporate support for inclusive youth theatre programming.
• ITA GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Penguin Project Production of Finding Nemo Jr. Corporate sponsorship supporting disability-inclusive theatre.
• Fareway Stores IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Penguin Project Production of Finding Nemo Jr. Regional corporate support for community theatre programming.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Omaha Community Playhouse: Long-running Omaha-area nonprofit community playhouse operating its own venues with multi-series programming (mainstage, family, education). Directly comparable in mission, scale, governance model, and programming mix to Des Moines Playhouse, and a near-twin in the upper Midwest community-theatre category.
• Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Nonprofit regional theatre in Milwaukee operating multiple performance spaces and series (mainstage, stackner cabaret, next generation), with strong education and community engagement programming. Closely comparable in structure, audience development, and multi-vertical programming.
• Kansas City Repertory Theatre: Nonprofit regional theatre in Kansas City producing mainstage and family programming with education and outreach arms. Comparable mid-size Midwest nonprofit producing organisation with a similar mix of series and community programming.

Broad incumbents

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Major Chicago-based nonprofit regional theatre producing mainstage plays, musicals, and new work with year-round education and community programming. Larger and more prestigious, but comparable in being a Midwest nonprofit producing house with educational outreach and multiple series under one brand.
• Guthrie Theater: Minneapolis-based nonprofit regional theatre operating a large mainstage plus smaller black-box venues, with education, community engagement, and sensory-friendly programming. A scaled-up Midwest community/regional theatre peer with overlapping programming pillars.
• Goodman Theatre: Large Chicago-based nonprofit producing regional theatre with mainstage, studio, education, and community programming. Larger and more prestigious, but a directly comparable Midwest nonprofit producing house with education and outreach arms.

Regional players

• Paramount Theatre (Cedar Rapids): Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit performing arts centre operating a historic theatre with touring Broadway, education, and community programs. Comparable as an Iowa/Midwest performing arts nonprofit, though it focuses more on presenting touring productions than producing its own.
• Old Creamery Theatre: Iowa-based nonprofit community theatre producing family-friendly productions and tours. Comparable in mission and Iowa footprint, though smaller in venue scale and more touring-oriented than venue-based.
• Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: Des Moines-based nonprofit performing arts venue presenting touring Broadway, concerts, and family shows in the same local market. A geographic peer competing for the same Des Moines live-entertainment dollar and donor pool.

Emerging players

• Children's Theatre Company (Minneapolis): Minneapolis-based nonprofit theatre dedicated to productions for young audiences with strong education programming. Comparable as a Midwest nonprofit producing house with a family/youth focus overlapping Des Moines Playhouse's Kate Goldman Family Series and Adventure Clubhouse.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DMPlayhouse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/dmplayhouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/DMPlayhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/dmplayhouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/des-moines-playhouse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Des Moines Playhouse