Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – The State Historical Society of Iowa today announced its summer children’s theater season and day camps at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust in the heart of Des Moines’ Historic East Village.

The summer line-up includes performances of the Des Moines Playhouse’s Lewis & Clark June 12-14; day camp and performances of the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company’s Immigrant Stew at the Chat ‘n’ Chew July 17-21; and day camp and performances of Child’s Play Touring Theater’s I Want to be Governor August 7-11.

“These day camps and performances will be a wonderful opportunity for parents who want to give their children a summer activity that incorporates fun with an educational experience,” said Anita Walker, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, which oversees SHSI.

Following is information about the performances and day camps:

Lewis & Clark (performances only)
June 12-14
Performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Open to the public. $5 per person

On February 28, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson won approval from Congress for a visionary project, an endeavor that would become one of America’s greatest stories of adventure. Over the next four years, the Corps of Discovery, led by Jefferson’s secretary, Meriwether Lewis, and Lewis’s friend, William Clark, would travel thousands of miles, experiencing lands, rivers and people that no Americans ever had before. In this new play, commissioned by the Des Moines Playhouse, you’ll go along with Lewis and Clark as they ventured along Iowa’s border on the Missouri River to open the gateway to the West. Call (515) 281-4132 for information and reservations.

Immigrant Stew at the Chat ‘n’ Chew Day Camp
Day Camp for children ages 7-12: July 17-21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Performances July 20-21 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Open to the public. $5 per person

Would you like to know how to make puppets come to life? Spend the first part of this five-day camp learning the different parts of puppetry and making your own! On the last two days, you’ll perform in a play featuring your puppet creations in Immigrant Stew at the Chat ‘n’ Chew, the story of immigration to the Midwest through the eyes of Kathy Schmidt McGillicutty, the proprietress of the fictional Chat ‘n’ Chew Café. Camp is held under the direction of the Eulenspiegel Puppets Theatre Company and combines various styles of puppets and masks with original music. Limit: 25-40 participants. Cost $125. Call (515) 281-4132 for more information and reservations.

“I Want to be Governor!”
Day Camp for ages 7-12, August 7-11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Performances August 11 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Open to the public. $5 per person

What would you do if you were in charge? Say you were the Governor of Iowa, what changes would you make in your community? We are creating a new show and we need your help. Be the playwright and the star of this camp! From writing to rehearsal to performance, Child’s Play’s drama camp is a unique experience that encourages ensemble building, self-esteem, consciousness, and problem solving. Campers develop skills in acting, improvisation, singing, music, dancing, juggling, writing, stage direction and more. And by the end of the week, we are going to have a really cool show based on what you and kids from all across America would do if in charge. Limit: 25-40 participants. Cost: $125. Call (515) 281-4132 for more information and reservations.

The State Historical Society of Iowa is a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy and an advocate for understanding Iowa’s past. It identifies, records, collects, preserves, manages and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources. Its dual mission of preservation and education serves Iowans of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates information, and encourages and supports historical preservation and education efforts of others throughout the state. More information about SHSI is available at www.iowahistory.org.

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