• Playtime Poppy greeting the audience before a Children's Theatre show

    Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre

    ENGAGE • EDUCATE • ENTERTAIN

  • Playtime Poppy gives a student a high five

    Engage

  • Elementary students learn about the fly system at Playtime Poppy Children Theatre's educational program, Operation Backstage

    Educate

  • Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale Repair Shoppe at Playtime Poppy and Jefferson's production 2023

    Entertain

Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre

  • Engagement

    Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre is a beloved cultural organization in Cedar Rapids, IA. Cedar Rapids natives and residents of all ages often quickly recall their Playtime Poppy memories about our “happy little ear of corn.” Through the support of donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and volunteers, Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre shares engaging theatre and educational programming. Playtime Poppy has educated generations of children and families throughout the community and beyond.

  • Education

    Playtime Poppy's Teaching Artists will be partnering with Cedar Rapids elementary schools this year to share in classroom programs One Great Line and Book Adventures, as well as Operation Backstage and Summer Theatre Adventure. All in-classroom and community outreach programs are offered to all, without any participation cost. Dedicated to supporting a lifetime love of theatre, Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre also offers college scholarships to high school seniors who have participated enthusiastically in theatre.

  • Entertainment

    Playtime Poppy loves to sing and dance and play. Our 2023-24 season will include one-hour interactive theatre productions in partnership with Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington high schools, with all-student cast and crews. Special matinee performances of each of our high school productions will be offered to K-5 classrooms and patrons with special needs. Watch our Facebook page and website for updates. We look forward to seeing YOU at children's theatre this year!

The Hardy Boys at
Washington High School

“We’re excited to share the thrills and mysteries in these iconic books with a new generation," said Kyle Woollums, Washington High School Theatre director and the production's playwright. “We created this new adaptation to fit our community and the Playtime Poppy tradition of providing engaging theatrical and educational experiences to children and their families. The adventures in this show will entertain those who have read the original books with new twists and introduce those less familiar to the incredible adventures of Frank and Joe Hardy.”

Playtime Poppy and Board President introduce the Playtime Poppy song at Jefferson High School.

Our 2023-2024 Season

October 12-14, 2023: Fairy Tale Repair Shoppe at Jefferson High School
November 30-December 2 and December 7 & 8, 2023: The Lion King, Jr. at Kennedy High School
April 18-20, 2024: The Hardy Boys at Washington High School

We are also partnering with the Cedar Rapids School District to bring our arts-integrated programming to our community’s elementary students.

June 24-28, 2024: Summer Theatre Adventure, at the Cedar Rapids Veteran’s Memorial Building

LEARN MORE

“Thank you for this year’s Playtime Poppy scholarship. I have been so honored to learn and grow in Poppy’s world, and I am grateful to have grown up in a community of magic makers and artists. Thank you for all of your encouragement and support, and I’m proud to say that I’m for Poppy!“

Max Cline, 2023 Playtime Poppy Scholarship Recipient

“We’re so proud to have uniquely called Cedar Rapids our home since 1951, and we’re excited to keep singing, dancing and playing.”

Jim Miller, Playtime Poppy Board President