New leadership in local theatres

7/1/2026

While the shows receive most of the spotlight, it is the producing teams behind the productions that make the magic happen. Two major leadership transitions recently took place in central Iowa’s performing arts community.

Monica Holt assumed the role of president and CEO of Des Moines Performing Arts. She previously served as senior vice president of artistic planning at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This column looks forward to sharing an interview with her in the near future.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse welcomed Chelsea Haaland as its new executive director. The Playhouse’s legacy, more than twice as long as that of Des Moines Performing Arts, began in 1919 when members of the Iowa Press and Authors Club founded the organization. Originally known as “The Little Theatre,” it is now one of the six oldest continuously operating community theaters in the United States. Those founders must surely be watching from their celestial box seats with a well-deserved sense of pride.

Meet Executive Director Chelsea Haaland

CS: Share your journey into performing arts.

CH: This is a big question that has so many answers. My first venture into performance was when I was in second grade. I was a shy, only child and my parents thought being part of a play might help develop my confidence. Boy, did that theatre bug bite. In middle school, my parents thought I might enjoy seeing a professional show. In middle school, my parents thought I might enjoy seeing a professional show. We are an Asian-American family; my parents had been excitedly following the development of a musical that uniquely featured primarily Asian performers that was touring to our Civic Center — and so, “Miss Saigon” became the first Broadway touring show I attended.

My first show with the Des Moines Playhouse was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in 2000. When I was at UNI, I was lucky to fill a theatre education internship more than once under the leadership of both Carol Taylor and Kathy Pingel. I earned a degree in theatre and communication education.

Every kid deserves a chance to be part of a community as the unique person that they are; every story deserves to be told. I firmly believe theatre provides the best pathway for its participants and patrons to learn more about themselves and others, and that has always been of interest to me.

CS: Compare your perspective before and after securing the executive director position.

CH: As I engaged in the interview process, I spoke about my belief that all humans want to do the best they can, and will do so under the right conditions — and how important this is because the Playhouse is not just the building, but the people. In an imaginative space like the Playhouse, we want all people — the staff, volunteers, students and patrons — to have the resources and safety nets that promote risk-taking, creativity and innovation in every experience. I believe the most effective leaders know how to purposefully orchestrate those conditions and then step aside to allow the art to bloom.

CS: What do you see as the Des Moines Community Playhouse’s unique role in Iowa?

CH: The Des Moines Community Playhouse has more than a century of arts excellence in its history, and we are so fortunate to employ a staff with great talent and passion. As the central Iowa arts scene continues to grow, so has its theater scene. Local artists may share their talents with many venues. As we look forward to the next 100 years, I am excited to work with the Playhouse team to define the unique identity we would like to manifest in our theater community to ensure that we are a “can’t miss it!” destination for local thespians and patrons alike. I am eager to get to work.

Salisbury and Shakespeare: An Irresistible Summer Duet

Those who have attended this midsummer classical tradition eagerly anticipate another stellar Shakespeare production from Iowa Stage Theatre Company. For those making their first foray into the sublime setting of an Elizabethan castle backdrop among stately oaks and rose gardens, they will discover one of Iowa’s premier performance experiences.

In partnership with Salisbury House and Gardens, Iowa Stage has built a destination-worthy reputation through its annual homage to the Bard. With a mastery of sound, lighting and staging, the company is set for this year’s production of “Measure for Measure.” This dark comedy explores mercy and justice, with plenty of disguises and deceptions along the way. ♦

John Busbee produces The Culture Buzz, a weekly arts and culture radio show on www.kfmg.org, covering Iowa’s arts scene with an inclusive sweep of the cultural brush. He received the Iowa Governor’s Arts Award for Collaboration and Partnership in the Arts. He has performed in more than 100 musicals, including many leading roles.