Des Moines Performing Arts

The 2015 Dance Series, presented by Des Moines Performing Arts (formerly Civic Center of Greater Des Moines) will feature the presentation of three professional dance companies - Paul Taylor Dance, Diavolo, and Complexions Contemporary Dance - in one night performances in the 2,735 seat Des Moines Civic Center. In addition to the public performances, each company will present a minimum of one master class for local students, one representative will participate in a pre-show "DANCEtalk” about the company and the dances they will perform, and company members will participate in a post-show Q&A with audience members.

The sixth season of the Wellmark Family Series includes a Family Concert with the Des Moines Symphony on January 17, The Peking Acrobats on February 14, Scrap Arts Music, March 7, and The Adventures of Robin Hood on May 23.

Each performance will again be preceded by a Discovery Party featuring art-making
activities and performances. And, for the sixthconsecutive year, ticket prices will be held at a movie-theater like price of $10/ticket (only $8 when purchased as a four show season ticket package).

The Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards highlight the importance of high school theater programs and celebrate the achievements of young musical theater artists. Theater educators and professionals review high school musicals and provide constructive feedback; students are then celebrated for their achievements at a culminating Awards Showcase. The program expanded state wide in 2016 and will serve 78 schools during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Teacher Professional Development workshops help educators integrate arts-based learning into the classroom through accredited courses. In a continued collaboration with Des Moines Public Schools, DMPA takes a large role in providing arts-integration support to teachers in the district. Through in-depth training sessions, teachers learn to weave the arts, including dance, music, drama, and visual mediums, into core subject areas like science and history. These programs are subsided by DMPA to make them complimentary for all Des Moines Public School teachers.