Supporting a cultural icon

11/30/2022

Husband-wife duo are longtime volunteers at the Des Moines Playhouse.

Kim and Steve Blakesley have welcomed thousands of guests into the Des Moines Playhouse. They’ve volunteered for nearly every production for the last 15 years.

It started when Kim’s mother, who regularly volunteered with her best friend, invited her daughter to fill in one day. Ever the people-person, Kim knew she’d enjoy interacting with patrons — but then she watched the play. She was hooked.

“I was blown away by the quality of the actual acting and stuff because they’re all volunteers,” she recalled. “And the amount of effort and time they put into that and just pull off a flawless play — it was incredible.”

The next step was to involve her husband, Steve.

“I went home and told him what a great time I had and how wonderful it was, and then he started going, too.”

Through the years, the couple has worked in concessions and as ushers, ticket-takers, greeters, and helped with just about every detail possible for show night. Always together.

“You usually don’t get one of us without the other,” Steve said.

Now, they’ve settled into their niche slot: preview night, held exclusively for sponsors and donors before opening night. Community support is vital to the Playhouse’s operation, as ticket sales cover less than 65% of production costs.

In between volunteer duties, the Blakesleys enjoy being among the first to watch new productions. And with the Playhouse’s average of 12 productions annually, Steve and Kim have seen more than 100 shows at the theatre — “Matilda” and “Charlotte’s Web” have been some of their favorites. 

They’ve also witnessed many changes over the years, from staff coming and going, to continual repairs and renovations to the Playhouse’s near-century-old facility.

During the pandemic, the Blakesleys marveled as the Playhouse quickly adapted by pivoting to outdoor productions. Patrons could set their lawn chairs in front of the stage or watch from their vehicles — drive-in style. It was that sort of innovation that first hooked Kim years ago, she said.

“The staff is great,” Kim said. “They’re innovative and creative, and they’re always open to ideas and suggestions, which is really what you want in leadership and a cultural center like the Playhouse.”

Many of those suggestions come from volunteers. When the Playhouse needed a more effective way to organize concessions, Steve and Kim, who works in operational efficiency, suggested a way to better direct the crowd and divert long lines.

Even through its constant evolution — the Playhouse is currently in its 104th season — what really hasn’t changed is the theatre’s audience.

“The audience is the best,” Kim said. “There are people who show up in suits and dresses, and then you have the people who show up in shorts and flip flops. So it’s a community theatre, and it’s truly come-as-you-are.”

Kim’s favorite audience members are the Playhouse’s youngest patrons.

“Kids who have read the books before they come to the play — sometimes they dress up in their favorite character, and it is so cute. And then sometimes, little girls wear more formal dresses, like it’s a big deal for them to go to the play. That’s really cool. I love to see that culture ingrained at such an early age.”

Despite the ever-increasing prevalence of television, film and online entertainment, the Blakesleys are firm believers in theatre. 

“You’re participating live in the story and the entertainment, instead of just watching,” Steve said. “It’s important that our culture doesn’t lose that.”

Still, even as the most enthusiastic of theatre supporters, both Blakesleys laughed at the prospect of being center stage.

“No, I can’t memorize anything,” Kim admitted. Steve, who did theatre in high school, just smiled and said, “I don’t think so.”

However, there have been two times when the Blakesleys have stood on the Playhouse stage. In 2018, they were selected as Volunteer of the Year at the Playhouse’s annual Dionysos Awards. And at this year’s ceremony, they were recognized as the Dick Brown Superior Volunteers of the Year.

Steve said they were surprised when they received the phone call about the second award.

“We just looked at each other,” Kim said. “We didn’t respond — she was probably on the other end of the phone, thinking, ‘Hello? Hello?’ But we just couldn’t believe it.”

With a professional staff of just 13 people, the Playhouse is truly a community effort. About 800 volunteers assist with scenery, props, lights, costumes, backstage crew, stage managing, auditions, guest services and even a photo station.

Next, the Blakesleys are looking forward to volunteering at the Playhouse’s Christmas show, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” — and seeing how many kids come dressed in powder blue ball gowns.

For those who have never been, Kim encouraged a visit to what she called “a cultural icon, a gem.”

“Come see a play and watch how it’s all orchestrated.” ♦