Posted March 31, 2021in Center Stage
Performances persist. Creativity will find a way to release, fulfilling the needs of both the creators and the consumers. Central Iowa’s producers have proven to be resolute in their commitment to share new shows and offerings to their patrons. The overall results are that central Iowans can be proud of
Read More →
Posted March 03, 2021in Center Stage
This month marks the one-year anniversary of when stages across central Iowa went dark. As local producers mourn the loss, they remain resolved to adapt and find ways to overcome the situation. A key ingredient has been the support from patrons and the government. Each of these sources is a
Read More →
Posted February 03, 2021in Center Stage
One truth always seems to emerge from cultural chaos: creativity will find a way to adapt, overcome and continue to engage the public. Central Iowa is showing its mettle during these challenging times, and some wonderful offerings are arising, phoenix-like, from the pandemic fires. The end of COVID-19 is not
Read More →
Posted January 06, 2021in Center Stage
One thing that we’ve learned about a pandemic such as this is that this virus has no concept of calendars, seasons, economics or aesthetics. This relentless Covid-19 invasion doesn’t care a whit about booking the next great Broadway show, the intricate interplay of crew, cast and volunteers to create an
Read More →
Posted December 02, 2020in Center Stage
Creatives often have to embrace patience. This contradicts their strong “take charge” mindset during the creative process. The patience side of performing artists’ yin-yang is currently being tested. They thrive in the live performance environment. They feed off of audience response, while elevating their performances from that stimulation. Many performers,
Read More →
Posted November 04, 2020in Center Stage
Two-hundred-and-nine days. That is how long it has been since the Des Moines Community Playhouse has presented live theater in its mainstage performing hall. It was the last of the local producers to do so. While they created an outdoors experiment with their drive-in theater in the parking lot, theater,
Read More →
Posted September 30, 2020in Center Stage
When last we left this fluid situation, the central Iowa theater scene reflected the national and international trends and responses in their art. Each company, with its own unique circumstances, was in seclusion to determine what could be done and when. From Des Moines Performing Arts, a dynamic performing arts
Read More →
Posted September 02, 2020in Center Stage
The local theater scene continues to evaluate and evolve, balancing the necessity of safety with the call of the muse to produce performances. Without our traditional focal points in performance arts, the initial shock of what the pandemic has done to life’s routines has been replaced with finding new directions
Read More →
Posted August 05, 2020in Center Stage
There has never been anything like the current pandemic’s influence on the live performing arts. Local and regional disasters have stopped theater before, but nothing has had such an insidious and pervasive impact in bringing this multi-billion dollar creative industry to a screeching halt. This pandemic has affected the youngest
Read More →
Posted July 01, 2020in Center Stage
The COVID-19 pandemic changed all aspects of our lives as it insidiously swept into every corner the world. The world of live performing arts was immediately plunged into a foggy realm of uncertainty. Shows were canceled, then seasons. Audience participation evaporated. This was a catastrophic blow to live theater. Central
Read More →
