Seedlings Children’s Theatre

Tallgrass Theatre Company is excited to offer Seedlings children’s theatre programming in conjunction with West Des Moines Parks & Recreation. The Seedlings program is led by experienced theatre professional, Maranda Turner. Who has a wide range of children’s theater, education, and performance experience.


Saturday Afternoon Live – Workshop

Ages 10-17
Fee: $60
April 22, 2023 9:00AM-4:00PM
Course ID 00029141

Inspired by one of the longest-running sketch comedy shows, this workshop will focus on writing, casting, and performing participant creations. Please send a nut-free lunch and snack. A water bottle and tennis shoes are suggested as well. Friends and family are invited to attend the show at 2 pm.


Summer 2023 Seedlings Camps

Ages 6-12
CAMP IS FULL
June 5-9 9:00am-12:00pm (no performance)

A great introduction to acting and stage lingo. Students will enjoy games that will touch on multiple areas of theatre, with a special focus on enhancing their acting and improv skills. We will be very active so sneakers and a water bottle are a must. Feel free to bring a nut free snack as well.

Ages 8-17
Fee: $90
June 5-9 1:00pm-4:00pm (no performance)

Want to impress people with your range as an actor, to try a bit of everything? Then this is the camp for you! Improv work, small scenes, singing/movement, and a variety of monologues will boost your skill and confidence while providing you with audition resources. At the end of this camp, we will have mock auditions with a panel of directors giving feedback. Please send a water bottle and sneakers. A nut free snack is suggested as well.

Ages 7-17
Fee: $90
June 26-30 9:00am-12:00pm 

Enjoy making friends and building confidence while performing a variety of pirate themed short plays. Tackle physical comedy, witty dialogue, and even a dialect or two. Grab a nut free snack, water bottle, and your sneakers to hop aboard with us.

Performance will be held Saturday July 1 at 2:00pm 
Admission is $5 per person; each camper will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Tales with a Twist CampCAMP IS FULL

Ages 7-17
CAMP IS FULL
June 26-30 1:00pm-4:00 pm

Robin Hood is an actual robin, Snow White is actually named Becky, and many other twists on familiar tales is what you will find at this camp. Stretch your acting skills while making friends and becoming comfortable performing for an audience. With an intimate class size, campers will receive lots of one-on-one attention and feedback from our talented staff. We will also play plenty of acting games and try out different elements of the theatre. Grab your sneakers, water bottle, nut free snack and meet us center stage?

Performance will be held Saturday July 1 at 4:00pm
Admission is $5 per person; each camper will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Backstage Ninja Camp – CAMP IS FULL

Ages 10-17
CAMP IS FULL
June 26- 30 1:00pm-4:00pm

Want to know the magic that happens backstage?  Come learn about all of the different elements and get your hands dirty designing and making parts or the set and props or pick costumes for the actors and create their makeup look. 

Shadow our stage manager or become the run crew for the performances, but most of all make friends and see where your creativity leads you. Paint/work clothes and closed toe shoes are a requirement for this camp. We suggest a water bottle and nut free snack.

* Campers are encouraged to participate in the crew for the performance that will take place on July 1st at 4:00pm, this is not a requirement to participate in camp.

Performance will be held Saturday July 1 at 4:00pm
Admission is $5 per person; each camper will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Ages 7-17
Fee: $90
July 10-14 9:00am-12:00pm

What happens to Super Heroes and Villains that don’t make the cut?  What if they have boring practical superpowers? Help us find out at this camp. Campers will perform published scripts and create some of their own. This will be a very active camp, sneaker, a nut free snack, and a water bottle are strongly encouraged.

Performance will be held Saturday July 15 at 2:00pm
Admission is $5 per person; each camper will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Ages 10-17
Fee: $90
July 10-14 1:00-4:00pm 

This unique camp allows campers to literally flip the script. Those that sign up to be a writer will be paired with campers that signed up as actors. Our writers will be given instruction on story elements, designing an outline, and creating believable characters. Then they will really get their creative juices flowing as they write their two monologues for our actor to choose from.  While the writer is busy with that the actors will be learning about embodying a character, dialects, overcoming stage fright, tips for quick memorization, and much more.

Once the script is chosen, the two will collaborate on the performance, getting and giving peer feedback and direction from the Seedlings staff.  Please send campers in sneakers with a water bottle and nut free snack. 

Performance will be held Saturday July 15 at 4:00pm
Admission is $5 per person; each camper will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

When registering – you will need to select if you are wanting to participate as an actor or writer.

Musical in a Week Camp – CAMP IS FULL

Ages 7-17
CAMP IS FULL
July 17 – July 21 9:00am-3:00pm

Campers will perform a full musical with just a week of rehearsals. From casting to choreography to memorizing lyrics and lines these amazing young actors will make it all happen with direction and guidance from our Seedlings staff. Make memories and friends while growing your skill set. This is a full day camp so participants must bring a sack lunch, snack, and lots of water. Please no nut products. We will be very active and dancing so comfy clothes and sneakers are a must. 

Performances will be held Saturday July 22 at 2:00pm and 4:00pm
Admission is $5 per person; each camper will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Please email seedlings@tallgrasstheatre.org if you run into issues with registration or if you have any questions about our upcoming summer camps for 2023.