• This marks the second time that DMACC and Grand View University have worked together to perform a play.

  • Performances will be held at the Grand View Viking Theatre (March 25-28) and the Black Box Theatre at the DMACC Ankeny Campus (April 3-6).

  • All show dates are FREE to attend and open to the public.

The DMACC Ankeny Theatre and Grand View University (GVU) Theatre are teaming up once again, this time with a co-production of the musical comedy “Head Over Heels” that will feature free performances at both colleges, March 25-April 6.

This marks the second time the two colleges have worked together on a theatre production. Their first collaboration was a co-production of the play “Ghost Bike” by Laura Jacqmin in 2018.

“At the time of our first collaboration, DMACC and Grand View University both had relatively small theatre departments, so collaborating offered us an opportunity to do a big-cast show,” said Carl Lindberg, DMACC Theatre Program Chair. “The success of that show back in 2018 led us to revisit the idea of a co-production, and one may have happened sooner if it weren’t for the height of the COVID pandemic preventing it. We’re excited to be working together again.”

“Head Over Heels” is a new musical comedy that was developed by the visionaries who rocked Broadway with “Hedwig and the Angry Inch, “Avenue Q” and "Spring Awakening.” It features a laugh-out-loud love story that’s set to the hit music of the iconic, 1980's all-female rock band The Go-Go’s​, including their hit songs “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Vacation,” and Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You.” The story follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction – only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts. ​​​

Reserve your free tickets

All performances of “Head Over Heels” are free to attend and open to the public. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the start time.

To reserve free tickets for the performance date/time of your choice, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dmacc-ankeny-theatre-53595499573.

If you would like to reserve free tickets in the ASL-Interpreted section during the 7:30 p.m. show on Sat., April 6, please visit the ticket link and select the April 6 show. Then click on the tickets button and enter the code ASL406 in the promo code box.

Performances dates, times and locations are as follows:

March 25-28: Grand View Viking Theatre (2811 E.14th Street, Des Moines)

  • Mon., March 25, 7:30 p.m., Grand View Viking Theatre

  • Tues., March 26, 7:30 p.m., Grand View Viking Theatre

  • Wed., March 27, 7:30 p.m., Grand View Viking Theatre

  • Thur., March 28, 7:30 p.m., Grand View Viking Theatre

April 3-6: Black Box Theatre at DMACC Ankeny Campus (2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Bldg. 5 Student Center, Ankeny)

  • Wed., April 3, 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theatre, DMACC Ankeny Campus

  • Thur., April 4, 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theatre, DMACC Ankeny Campus

  • Fri., April 5, 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theatre, DMACC Ankeny Campus

  • Sat., April 6, 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theatre, DMACC Ankeny Campus (ASL-interpreted performance)

“Head Over Heels” is based upon “The Arcadia” by Sir Philip Sidney and was conceived by Jeff Whitty and adapted by James Magruder.

DMACC and Grand View University’s co-production of the play is being directed by Kristin Larson, Chair of Theatre Arts & Speech and Theatre Professor at Grand View University.

Casting was done collaboratively between the two schools, and the play’s creative team includes multiple faculty and staff members from both DMACC and Grand View University, as well as professionals from the Des Moines Metro area.

Lindberg said the play had been a lot of fun to rehearse and prepare.

“I think the Go-Go’s music has been an absolute delight for everyone to work on,” Lindberg said. “The play is a ton of fun. With the music and costumes, the language and characters are heightened. There are puppets, too. And I think all of that, together with the play's themes, will really connect with our student audience members.”  

The Cast

  • Bailey Dorr, DMACC student from Carlisle

  • Joseph Michael Brevik, DMACC student from Johnston

  • Aspen Field, DMACC student from Urbandale

  • N. B. Sullivan, DMACC student from Ames

  • Emalee Levin, DMACC student from Ames

  • Kit Adams, DMACC student from Bondurant

  • Emily Tavegia, GVU student from Pleasant Hill

  • Ayden Frisk, DMACC student from Ankeny

  • Isaac Bleich-Sisco, GVU student and DMACC graduate from Urbandale

  • Katy Crowley, GVU student and DMACC graduate from Des Moines

  • Alexandria Thompson, DMACC student from Ankeny

  • Anika Ernst, GVU student from Des Moines

  • Jacqueline Boardman, GVU student from Clive

  • Dawson Craig, GVU student and DMACC alum from Des Moines

  • David Korkow, GVU student and DMACC alum from Johnston

  • Jadyn Yaw, DMACC student from Des Moines

For more information about the show, please visit dmacc.edu/theatre/ankeny or grandview.edu/theatre.

Contact: Carl Lindberg, DMACC Theatre Program Chair, (515) 965-7031, celindberg@dmacc.edu