Jeff Chelesvig Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by The Broadway League

Des Moines Performing Arts is proud to share that Jeff Chelesvig, President and CEO of DMPA, has been awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award by The Broadway League. The honor was presented during the League’s Annual Spring Road Conference in New York City—one of the industry’s most significant gatherings for national Broadway presenters and producers.

This prestigious recognition celebrates Jeff’s transformational leadership, his steadfast commitment to the performing arts, and his advocacy for Broadway touring across the country. Over the past three decades, Jeff has helped shape DMPA into a nationally respected institution, drawing more than 4.6 million Broadway patrons to the Des Moines Civic Center and growing the  Willis Broadway Series into one of the most admired in the nation.

A lifetime member of The Broadway League, Jeff serves on the organization’s board of governors and is currently Iowa’s only Tony Awards® voter. He is also the immediate past president of the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of Broadway presenters and investors from around the country.

“I am grateful for this incredible honor,” said Chelesvig. “I credit much of the success to the passionate team at Des Moines Performing Arts, the collaboration across the Broadway community, and my colleagues at The Broadway League. This recognition reflects the strength of those partnerships and the unwavering support for the arts from our audiences in Iowa.”

The League Awards spotlight individuals whose innovation and dedication have significantly advanced the national Broadway touring industry. Under Jeff’s leadership, DMPA has invested in more than 100 Broadway and touring productions. Today, the Willis Broadway Series contributes over $57 million in annual economic impact to the region.

Jeff Chelesvig will conclude his extraordinary 30-year career with DMPA upon his planned retirement on August 31, 2025.