Wellmark Family Series in Des Moines
Des Moines Performing Arts is bringing the Wellmark Family Series back for its 15th year and another amazing season. This series of live shows are perfect for introducing the littlest members of your family to the theater and live performances. The 2024-25 series sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, will offer three shows that are a one-hour performance. Perfect for the youngest attention span and fun for the whole family. The Wellmark Family Series is not your typical live theater show. Each performance will encourage your family to use their imaginations, get young minds moving, and have fun!
In addition, before each performance families can participate in a FREE Discovery Party with educational opportunities that correlate with the performance. Discovery Parties are held 1-hour before the start of the show and consist of FREE demonstrations, music, activities, and more. This is a great way to introduce the show you are about to see to your children.
3-Show Package Pricing Starts at $24
Des Moines Performing Arts is offering a super affordable way for the entire family to enjoy the Wellmark Family Series. You can purchase season tickets for all three productions being held at the Des Moines Civic Center starting at $24. Purchase season ticket packages on the Des Moines Performing Arts website or at the Des Moines Civic Center ticket office.
Purchasing a package brings benefits that include:
- Convenient payment plans
- Save up to 15% on package add-on shows
- Best seats at the best prices
- Flexible ticket exchanges
- Easy show substitution
2024-25 Wellmark Family Series Shows:
Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster
November 2, 2024, on the Civic Center Stage
11 a.m.
Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just… isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? The plot thickens when this pair meets Kerry and Frankenthaler, an even scaredier-cat and her monster friend. Kerry and Sam need to make a big decision: will they just be scaredy cats or can they become friends?
Leonardo! uses hundreds of illustrated paper puppets, book pages, two-dimensional props, furry monster puppets, and songs to bring Mo Willems’ books to life. Manual Cinema wanted to re-create the experience of holding one of Mo’s book pages, which are big, bold, colorful, and full of visual rhythm, with a playful use of scale. Like all Manual Cinema productions, you’re invited to watch the big screen like a traditional movie, or to watch the artists below as they create the story in real time. (There is no wrong way to watch the show!)
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Fiesta Con Sonia De Los Santos
February 22, 2025, on the Civic Center Stage
11 a.m.
¡Hola! It’s fiesta time and everyone’s invited! Sunny songstress Sonia De Los Santos is hosting a party at the Des Moines Civic Center, and her musical friends are arriving from all over Iowa to join in the fun. Everyone’s brought an instrument from their homeland and is ready to sing, dance and celebrate each other’s heritage and culture. Who will Sonia perform with in Des Moines?
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
360 ALLSTARS
April 27, 2025, on the Civic Center Stage
4 p.m.
A non-stop energy packed urban circus, complete with dancing, beat boxing, acrobatics, BMX biking and more, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Boasting a stellar international cast of World Champion and World Record-holding athletes and artists, the show has had sold out runs on Broadway, Sydney Opera House and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Seen by over one million people worldwide 360 ALLSTARS entertains audiences of all ages!
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Wellmark Family Series Package Add-Ons
The following two shows are shows you can add to your 3-show package. Such a great deal! There are two add-ons available this year.
The Remember Balloons
March 29, 2025, on the Civic Center Stage
2 p.m.
James’s Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. He has balloons showing Dad when he was young and Grandma when they were married. Grandpa has balloons about camping and Aunt Nelle’s poor cow. Grandpa also has a silver balloon filled with the memory of a fishing trip he and James took together.
But when Grandpa’s balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can’t catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon—and he doesn’t even notice!
Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It’s up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Underneath A Magical Moon
April 19, 2025, at the Temple Theater
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
A reimagining of Peter Pan as told by Wendy Darling… Wendy gazes out at the night sky dreaming of blue lagoons, magical moons and most of all, stories. And tonight, there’s magic in the air…
Fly with Wendy and her brothers as they create the world of Neverland, where time stands still and the impossible seems possible. Even everyday objects become extraordinary under the magical moon. A sparkling new production written by international award-winning writer Mike Kenny, scored with exquisite live music and songs, enthralling movement and a sprinkle of fairy dust.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Visit dmpa.org for an entire list of shows and performances such as the Explorer Series, Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series (great date night idea), and more!
