REFLECTIONS FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Like many small-town Iowa kids, my career had a humble start. As a student in high school, I was active in band and choral music and worked behind the scenes during theater productions.  I appeared on stage as a performer just once, portraying Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady at Belmond High School.

I never imagined those experiences would eventually lead to a career in entertainment and the arts that took me from Iowa to venues in Illinois, Minnesota, Florida and then back to Iowa. Through this work, I’ve traveled extensively, mostly to New York and London.  I also have the honor of being Iowa’s only voter for Broadway’s Tony Awards and a longtime member of the Broadway League, currently serving on the organization’s Board of Governors. In addition, I serve as the immediate Past President of the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of Broadway tour presenters who invest in Broadway and touring productions. Me, a kid from Wright County, Iowa, who started my career at the Iowa State Center by driving a tractor with a wagon attached to transport fans to Iowa State football games from the Scheman Building – every experience is an opportunity to build for the next one.

When I arrived in Des Moines in 1995, we didn’t have a Broadway Series, nor an education department.  We were not investors in Broadway shows and our programming was limited. What I discovered quickly is still true today –Iowans are smart, well-traveled, and they support experiences that enrich the community. Looking back at our successes, it is equally believable and unbelievable what we’ve accomplished here.

Performers want to come to Des Moines Performing Arts venues. They know the audience will be warm and supportive whether it’s a Broadway show, an Explorer Series speaker, an orchestra, a comedian, or a student performing in one of our musical theater camps. 

This doesn’t just happen. It takes a full cast of dedicated individuals working together for a common goal and the greater good. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who are interested in making things better, again and again. We began as the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines and a few years ago, we rebranded to Des Moines Performing Arts (and kept the Civic Center name for our largest venue) to recognize who we are and what we do.  We recognize the educational enrichment derived from programming for young people and are proud to serve 40,000 students each year with our Applause Series for young audiences. And our statewide Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards is one of the largest programs of its kind in the country.

The beneficial impact of DMPA extends economically in the community as well. Each year our Willis Broadway Series alone has a $40 million economic impact on Central Iowa. When we opened the Temple Theater, not only did we have a record-setting run of Triple Espresso, but this investment was also the catalyst for the redevelopment of the Western Gateway Park area of downtown Des Moines.

Starting next September, my next show will be: retirement. It is time for something new. I am so confident in our team and their ability to help the next CEO make a seamless transition. I’m also confident that you will all continue to do what you do – support the arts, show up at performances, and engage with the artists who have the distinct pleasure of performing in Des Moines.

Thank you for helping make Des Moines Performing Arts my longest-running show. Bravo!