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
2024-2025 Season ~ 73rd Year of Playtime Poppy
Thanks to the generous support of donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and volunteers, Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre is able to share engaging theatre and educational programming with children and families throughout the Cedar Rapids area. We’re proud to share with you how we have been able to expand our programming and the impact it made in our community over the past season.
This past season, our young audiences traveled back in time and became Homefront Heroes in four different conflicts, transformed into roaring animals deep in the jungles, spread joy from the North Pole as playful elves, and journeyed across the seas—sailing from mighty ships to marooned desert islands. With every transformation, children stepped into new worlds of imagination, learning what it means to tell stories, work together, and let their creativity shine.
Beyond the stage, your support made it possible for children to explore theatre through Book Adventures, Operation Backstage, One Great Line, Matinee performances, Summer Theatre Adventure, and so much more. Every giggle, gasp, and round of applause was made possible because of YOU.
As we enter our 75th Anniversary Year celebration, the best is yet to come!
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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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1,755
Children, teachers, and those with special needs attended matinee performances at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington high schools.
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359
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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347
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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32
Students participated in Playtime Poppy’s week-long Summer Theatre Adventure. Over 200 community members attended the group’s performance.
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440
Kindergarten and first grade students attended Book Adventures, our interactive storytelling program. Poppy teaching artists worked with the classroom teachers to promote reading comprehension and prepare students to engage with story, characters, and emotions.
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15
Area elementary schools experienced Playtime Poppy arts-integrated programs during our 73rd Season.
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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Zhen E Rammelsberg
MANAGING DIRECTOR
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Sheryl Payton
BOARD PRESIDENT
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Jim Miller
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
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Nicole Harvey
BOARD SECRETARY
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Mindy Fiala-Leaven
BOARD TREASURER
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Jackson Lansing Green
BOARD DIRECTOR
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Kayla Lansing Green
BOARD DIRECTOR
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Ella Lehmann
BOARD DIRECTOR
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Barb Colehour
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, Friend of Playtime Poppy
“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 Managing Director