DM Playhouse Receives Education Contribution

The Des Moines Community Playhouse was among 130 non-profit organizations participating in the fifth consecutive Birdies for Charity campaign at the 2014 Principal Charity Classic presented by Wells Fargo, May 27-June 1. This year's tournament raised a record $1,367,749.00 for local children's charities. Friends of the Playhouse donated $20,347.49, which earned a $5086.87 match from Sammons Financial Group, Birdies for Charity sponsor. The total of $25,434.36 set a new Playhouse record.

The Birdies for Charity donation benefits Playhouse children's theatre and education programs, such as Spotlight: Literacy and complimentary school matinee tickets for students on the free and reduced lunch program. Spotlight: Literacy activities, in conjunction with each Kate Goldman Children's Theatre production, are designed to develop language arts skills and a life-long love of reading and the arts. There are several components to the program, including classroom visits when actors present each student with a copy of the books on which the plays are based, attendance at the play, and a follow-up exchange of letters between students and actors. Annually, more than 1000 books are given to students, and more than 2000 letters go back and forth between students and actors.

Over the past eight years, The Principal Charity Classic has donated more than $6.3 million to local children's charities. This year's tournament not only benefited local charities but also had more than a $20 million impact on the Greater Des Moines economy.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.