The 26-27 Season… As Interpreted by First Graders
March 18, 2026Every season has a story. This year, we let some very creative Applause Series students help tell it — with crayons.
In the weeks leading up to our 2026-27 Willis Broadway Series season announcement, you may have noticed some mysterious drawings popping up on our social media. We teamed up with students from Mrs. Borst, Miss McGuire, and Mrs. Wohlers’ first-grade classes at Rock Creek Elementary in Ankeny, who recently attended an Applause Series performance, and asked them to help us create this year’s teaser campaign.
We gave them simple prompts inspired by shows in the upcoming season… and then stepped back and let their imaginations take center stage.
The Guessing Game Begins…
Now it’s your turn to play along. Look closely, compare notes, and make your best guesses. How many shows can you piece together before the full season is revealed?
Show One
Show Two
Show Three
Show Four
Show Five
Show Six
Why First Graders?
Because they embody exactly what the performing arts are all about: curiosity, creativity, and seeing the world (and the stage) in brand-new ways. These students are future audience members, future artists and future storytellers — and we loved the idea of letting their perspectives help introduce the season.
What is the Applause Series?
The Applause Series brings world-class performing artists and diverse art forms to Des Moines Performing Arts for one-hour daytime performances created especially for school audiences. Each performance connects directly to classroom learning, giving students the opportunity to learn about — and through — the arts.
With tickets priced at just $1, the series makes the magic of live performance accessible to thousands of students across central Iowa each year.
Ready for the Reveal?
From crayons to curtain calls, this season is already shaping up to be colorful, surprising, and full of moments you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned — the full 2026-27 Willis Broadway Series will be revealed March 25!