Our Mission
Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre engages, educates, and entertains the community through interactive theatre productions and arts-integrated education.
Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre
Since 1951, Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre has produced imaginative theatre productions and education programs for children and families. Playtime Poppy presents one-hour interactive children’s theatre productions in partnership with Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington high schools, including public performances for children and families and matinee performances for classrooms. In partnership with the Cedar Rapids Community School District; Playtime Poppy offers arts-integrated classroom programs, including, Book Adventures for kindergartners, Operation Backstage for third graders, and One Great Line for fifth graders. In the community, Playtime Poppy presents the Summer Theatre Adventure, a theatre camp for youth ages 9-14 that produces a play which is performed at the end of the week.
Community Impact
2022-2023 Season ~ 71st Year of Playtime Poppy
Through the support of donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and volunteers, Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre shares engaging theatre and educational programming with children and families throughout the community. We’re proud to share with you how we have impacted the community over the past season.
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Over 4,000
Children and families attended Playtime Poppy productions at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington high schools.
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1,997
Children, teachers, and those with special needs attended matinee performances at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington high schools.
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282
Fifth grade students participated in One Great Line, one of the in-classroom programs Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre provides in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
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195
Third grade students attended Operation Backstage, an interactive, hands on, behind-the-scenes tour of technical, theatre. Students explored the high school theatres prior to their shows and learned about lighting, sound, costumes and more.
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$1,000
Awarded in scholarship funds to a high school thespian to support a lifetime love of theatre.
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30
Students participated in Playtime Poppy’s week-long Summer Theatre Adventure, and over 150 community members attended the group’s 2 performances.
We know how much you love Playtime Poppy productions and the educational opportunities we offer to children and families. Playtime Poppy invites you to join us!
Meet the Playtime Poppy Team
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Playtime Poppy
OUR HAPPY LITTLE EAR OF CORN
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Lynn Jensen
MANAGING DIRECTOR
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Jim Miller
BOARD PRESIDENT
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Sheryl Payton
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
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Kayla Lansing Green
BOARD SECRETARY
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Brian Smith
PAST BOARD PRESIDENT
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Jackson Lansing Green
BOARD DIRECTOR
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Zhen E Rammelsberg
BOARD DIRECTOR
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Kent Reynolds
BOARD DIRECTOR
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Nicole Harvey
BOARD DIRECTOR
“I discovered my love of live theatre as a child when I sat in the audience watching my parents in community theatre productions and attended Playtime Poppy productions with my siblings. The magic of each on-stage world lit my imagination. As a teacher, I know firsthand the impact that participating in theatre can have on a student’s academic achievement. Attending live theatre also has a powerful impact, leading to a greater tolerance and increased empathy of different people and ideas.”
Lynn Jensen, Playtime Poppy Managing Director
“I grew up in Benton County where I was surrounded by corn. I never got the chance to be involved in any Playtime Poppy productions, but JUMPED at working with the Happy Little Ear of Corn when I was asked to be a member of the Playtime Poppy Board!”
Zhen E Rammelsberg, Playtime Poppy Board Director