All the DSM World’s a Stage: Where to See (or Star In!) Live Theater Across Greater Des Moines

Greater Des Moines (DSM) is center stage when it comes to performing arts. From Broadway musicals in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) to community theater productions in small-town auditoriums, there’s no shortage of places to catch a live show — or even star in one yourself. Whether you’re a devoted fan of musical theater, curious about college plays or looking for family-friendly stage theaters, this guide will show you all the best places for live theater across the region.

Love classic musicals, contemporary drama, student showcases or interactive mystery shows? You’ll find it all here. This guide highlights performing arts venues, community theaters, college productions and unique local events worth seeking out.

Major Des Moines Performance Venues

Des Moines Performing Arts

Located in Downtown DSM, Des Moines Performing Arts is the hub of Broadway musicals, musical theater, comedy, concerts and family programming. The organization operates multiple venues:

• Des Moines Civic Center – The region’s premier venue for Broadway tours and large-scale performances and the home stage for the Des Moines Symphony.

• Cowles Commons – An outdoor space used for festivals, live music and pop-up stage theaters.
• Stoner Theater – An intimate black box-style venue for smaller theater plays and local acts.
• Temple Theater – Great for cabaret-style performances and comedies.

Each year, Des Moines Performing Arts presents a full Broadway series, their popular family series, plus touring productions, dance and community engagement events for all ages.

Hoyt Sherman Place

This historic venue blends live theater, concerts, comedy and art exhibitions. While Hoyt Sherman Place isn’t strictly a theater house, it regularly hosts touring performances and local theatre productions in a beautiful early 1900s setting. The venue also houses an art gallery and hosts national talent on stage throughout the year.

Des Moines Metro Opera

One of the country’s leading summer opera festivals, the Des Moines Metro Opera in Indianola earns national accolades and critical praise for bold, innovative productions. In addition to presenting a full Festival season, DMMO’s calendar is full of special events you won’t want to miss.

Greater Des Moines Community Theaters & Local Performing Groups

DSM is home to a thriving network of community theaters and performance groups where you can catch a local production — or even audition to be part of one. From long-running playhouses to youth-led ensembles and culturally focused companies, these live theater venues offer a mix of classic plays, musicals, original works and programs that nurture the next generation of performers.

• Ankeny Community Theatre (Ankeny): A volunteer-run community theater producing everything from laugh-out-loud comedies to heartfelt dramas.
• Carousel Theater (Indianola): A long-running company offering family-friendly theater shows.
• Class Act Productions (Altoona): Known for its summer youth theater camp for grades 1–12 and year-round musical theatre productions.
• Des Moines Community Playhouse (Des Moines): One of the oldest and most beloved performance theaters in the region. Offers a full season of productions for adults and families, including summer camps and education programs.
• Des Moines Young Artists Theater (Des Moines): A youth-focused company producing bold, inclusive theater and offering training opportunities for the next generation of performers.
• Grinnell Community Theatre (Grinnell): Offers community-led performances and readings in an inclusive and supportive setting.
• Iowa Stage Theatre Company (Des Moines): A professional company producing modern classics, bold new works, and annual Shakespeare on the Lawn at Salisbury House.
• Knoxville Area Community Theatre (Knoxville): A grassroots group bringing local talent to the stage through engaging theater plays and variety shows.
• Marshalltown Community Theatre (Marshalltown): Produces full-scale shows throughout the year with a strong community presence.
• Perry Performing Arts Center (Perry): Located on the Perry High School campus, the Perry Performing Arts Center is a 600+ seat theater that hosts high school plays, community theater productions and regional performances — making it an important cultural hub for the western DSM region.
• Pyramid Theatre Company (Des Moines): Focuses on African American voices and culturally inclusive productions in professional settings.
• Tallgrass Theatre Company (West Des Moines): A community-focused company offering both indoor productions and outdoor summer musicals at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater.
• The Winterset Stage (Winterset): A welcoming venue offering both scripted and original local theatre productions.
• Urbandale Community Theatre (Urbandale): Local actors bring musicals and dramas to life with high-quality productions that entertain and connect the community.

College and University Theater Productions

Greater Des Moines’ colleges and universities are bursting with student creativity. College theater groups perform everything from Shakespeare to original musicals, and many shows are open to the public.

• Central College Kruidenier Center (Pella): Hosts stage theater and music performances in state-of-the-art flexible theaters.
• DMACC Ankeny Theater at Black Box Theatre (Ankeny): Produces public performances ranging from musicals to dramatic works, often free to attend.
• Drake University Performing Arts Hall (Des Moines): Drake Theatre Arts stages comedies, dramas and experimental works, performed by emerging talent.
• Grand View University Viking Theatre (Des Moines): An intimate three-quarter thrust stage with flexible seating for up to 200, this dynamic space draws audiences close to the action and supports a wide range of student-led productions.
• Grinnell College Bucksbaum Arts Center (Grinnell): Known for a thoughtful mix of contemporary theater, student-led works and interdisciplinary art.
• Simpson College Blank Performing Arts Center (Indianola): Features fully produced college plays and musical performances by Simpson’s music and theater departments.

Many of DSM’s high schools also offer robust theater programs, providing students with opportunities to participate in plays, musicals and technical theater. These programs often collaborate with local theaters and participate in regional competitions. Learn more about schools in DSM.

Unique and Seasonal Performance Experiences

Beyond traditional theaters, DSM offers unique ways to enjoy (and interact with) live performances and other performing arts:

• Big Creek Historical Society (Polk City): Offers historical theater shows and storytelling events at Museum on the Square.
• Jamie Hurd Amphitheater (West Des Moines): A modern venue for musical theatre, concerts and open-air performances.
• Living History Farms (Urbandale): Their annual Independence Day event includes historic performance theater and live-action baseball reenactments.
• Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow (Des Moines): Not your typical live theater, but a full-immersion experience with staged sword fights, period comedy and storytelling.
• Shakespeare on the Lawn (Des Moines): Produced by Iowa Stage Theatre Company and Salisbury House & Gardens, this outdoor summer tradition blends classic works with a magical garden setting.
• The Dinner Detective (Des Moines): A true crime murder mystery dinner theater where guests become part of the plot and the fun.
• Pella Opera House (Pella): A restored historic venue offering a variety of live performances — from touring musical acts to dramatic storytelling events.

Explore More Theater in Greater Des Moines

Whether you’re in the audience or under the spotlight, Greater Des Moines has a stage for you. Explore community theaters for intimate local theatre productions, get swept away by professional Broadway musicals at the Des Moines Civic Center or support student creativity through college plays and performance theaters. From musical theatres to classic drama, interactive experiences to outdoor Shakespeare, every show is a chance to connect, reflect and be moved. Curtain up, DSM!