Iowa Stage Theatre Company's Next Act

How Iowa Stage Theatre Company is Reshaping Live Theater in Des Moines

Theater is a vital living, breathing art form. It challenges, inspires, and entertains—but keeping it alive, especially in a city like Des Moines, takes passion, dedication, and a whole lot of hustle. That’s exactly what the team at Iowa Stage Theatre Company is doing, and on a special edition Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, called The Weekend Pour, I had the pleasure of sitting down with three of its key leaders—Artistic Producers Davida Williams & Alex Wendel and Development Director Dove Haase—to talk about their record-breaking season, bold artistic choices, and what’s ahead for one of Iowa’s premier theater companies.

A Year of Growth and Change

Right off the bat, the Iowa Stage team made it clear: 2023 was one of the most challenging years they’d faced, but it also set them up for their biggest successes.

"It created an opportunity for us to come back stronger than ever," Alex shared. "We really took a look at how we’re living out our mission statement—not just in our culture, but in how we nurture artists and select our plays. And we’re happy to report that last year was our highest-grossing season by far since before the pandemic."

That’s no small feat. The pandemic was brutal for live theater, forcing companies to shut down, cut budgets, and rethink everything. But for Iowa Stage, it was also a turning point. With a fresh perspective and a renewed commitment to paying artists fairly, they’ve come out the other side stronger than ever.

"We’re unique in central Iowa in that we have a Resident Artist Company—a stable of actors who are part of our company and get paid," Davida explained. "It’s a mutually beneficial setup. We get a trusted group of artists to help guide creative decisions, and they get access to opportunities like our new ISTC Launch program, which helps them produce their own work with our financial and marketing support."

Building a Season That Challenges and Excites

The upcoming season at Iowa Stage is one of the most dynamic yet, exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience. It kicks off with Grand Horizons (March 14-23), a comedy about a long-married couple suddenly deciding to divorce, much to the shock of their adult children.

"It’s funny, heartfelt, and deeply human," Alex said. "It’s about agency at any age and the idea that life doesn’t stop giving us new experiences."

From there, the season moves into Torch Song (June), Shakespeare on the Lawn at Salisbury House (summer), and a long-awaited production of Sam Shepard’s Buried Child (fall).

"We needed something with edge," Davida said with a smile. "We love contemporary work, we love the classics, and we love Shakespeare—but it was time to bring some Sam Shepard back to Des Moines."

And of course, no season would be complete without their annual production of A Christmas Carol, a holiday staple for many in the community.

Making Theater Accessible to Everyone

One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Iowa Stage was their commitment to making live theater more accessible—both in terms of content and affordability.

"A huge part of our focus has been increasing access," Dove explained. "We added a pay-what-you-can ticket tier, and what we found is that it not only made theater more available to people who might not otherwise attend, but it actually helped increase full-price ticket sales as well."

They also introduced community-sponsored tickets, which replaced their former student discount program.

"Instead of requiring student IDs, we just made it clear—if price is the thing stopping you from coming, this ticket is for you," Davida said. "We want everyone to be able to experience live theater, no matter their financial circumstances."

And the impact has been real.

"I’ve personally witnessed first-time theatergoers telling us, ‘I didn’t know I’d be able to afford this’ or ‘I never thought to come before,’" Dove said. "People assume live theater is expensive, and in some cases, it is. But we’re making sure it doesn’t have to be."

The Power of Community and Collaboration

Beyond the stage, Iowa Stage is working hard to build community—not just among their audience, but within the company itself. Having two artistic producers could lead to creative clashes, but Davida and Alex have found a rhythm that works.

"It all comes down to respect," Davida said. "We see each other’s strengths, we communicate, and we trust each other’s instincts. If something is more of an ‘Alex thing,’ he takes the lead. If it’s a ‘Davida thing,’ I do. And when it’s in between, whoever feels most passionately about it runs with it."

That collaboration extends to their upcoming 2025 Seasons Gala on March 30, a celebration of the company's history and a night featuring some of Des Moines' most beloved performers—including Gina Gedler, Steve Berry, Madison Ray, Maggie Schmidt, and many more.

"The idea is to honor the past while celebrating the future," Dove explained. "We’re bringing together performers from our company’s roots—Drama Workshop, StageWest, RTI—alongside our current artists to show how far we’ve come and where we’re going."

Looking Ahead

As our conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Iowa Stage Theatre Company is not just surviving—it’s thriving.

"People are craving live performance again," I said to the team. "Do you feel that too?"

"Absolutely," Alex replied. "Every show, we see more and more people returning. There’s an energy that comes from being in a full theater, experiencing something live. And that’s why we do this—to create those unforgettable moments."

For anyone looking to get involved—whether as an audience member, an aspiring actor, or even behind the scenes—Iowa Stage welcomes you. Auditions, design roles, and stage management opportunities are available, and the company is always looking for fresh talent.

"We're building something special here," Davida said. "And we want as many people as possible to be a part of it."

If you love live theater, now is the time to show up and support it. Whether it’s by grabbing a ticket, donating, or just spreading the word, Iowa Stage Theatre Company is proving that bold, artist-driven theater is alive and well in Des Moines.

For tickets, updates, and ways to support, visit IowaStage.org.