Des Moines Community Playhouse Announces New Executive Director

Chelsea Haaland joins Playhouse team

DES MOINES – June 1, 2026 – The Des Moines Community Playhouse today announced Chelsea Haaland has been named executive director. She joins Katy Merriman, artistic director, as part of the theatre’s leadership team.

Haaland will join The Playhouse staff on June 15, immediately assuming the role of executive director. She most recently served as the related arts curriculum facilitator for the Waukee Community School District (CSD), Iowa’s third-largest district, where she promoted collaborative culture-building and organizational effectiveness in support of the district’s artistic programming. Under her guidance, Waukee CSD was the 11th district in the United States to be recognized as an Educational Theatre Association Premier Community for Theatre Education.

Haaland’s arts leadership career began as a theatre and speech teacher and director. Her programs regularly received the highest recognitions for artistic excellence, including multiple qualifiers for the National High School Musical Theatre “Jimmy” Awards. Her dedication to inclusion and arts advocacy resulted in the launch of sensory-friendly school theatre performances and an annual Arts Signing Day in recognition of graduates committed to studying the arts after high school. Haaland’s work in arts education has been honored with multiple awards from Iowa Safe Schools, Iowa Communication Association, and the University of Northern Iowa.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chelsea Haaland as our executive director,” said Colleen Powell, Playhouse board president. “She has a 25+ year history with The Playhouse as a director, teaching artist, performer, stage manager, and theatre education intern, meaning she understands the soul of this theatre. She is also a visionary, nationally recognized arts leader. Chelsea’s proven ability to manage massive creative teams and champion inclusive, award-winning programming will ensure The Playhouse continues to set the standard for artistic and operational excellence.”

“The Playhouse is more than a physical space; it has built a legacy as a cornerstone of arts and culture in Iowa because of the many volunteers and staff members who devote countless hours to shared goals,” Haaland said. “It will be my highest responsibility to partner with the volunteers, the patrons, the staff, and the board to refine and maintain the conditions that allow The Playhouse’s people to continue doing their best. This is, in fact, what I am most excited about: collaborating with great people to promote art and stories, creating positive experiences, and championing The Playhouse as the community’s standard for artistic excellence, high-quality education and training, and inclusive practices.”

Haaland earned both her M.A.E. in educational administration and B.A. in communication/theatre arts – teaching from the University of Northern Iowa.  

“The Playhouse has played an integral role in my professional theatre journey,” Haaland said. “My experiences at The Playhouse gave me the skills to succeed in arts leadership in other venues. It is the highest privilege to return to my artistic homebase and serve the arts community.”

The Playhouse extends appreciation to Jordan Bles, director of philanthropy, for serving as interim executive director the past year.