City: Des Moines, IA

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (515) 440-1177

Address: 712 E. 2nd St.

Description: A ballet company that has been rebuilding since the mid-2000s and is looking to move forward as a professional company, this troupe has many promising young dancers, with guest dancers in many productions. For nearly 20 years, the ballet has put on a popular production of The Nutcracker every Christmas season, which features many children dancing in supporting roles. Several dancers with the company have gone on to have successful professional dancing careers. There are occasional shows the rest of the year, such as Alice in Wonderland, which was performed in the winter of 2011, accompanied by the Des Moines Community Orchestra. The ballet performs The Nutcracker at Sherman Place Theater and also performs at the Des Moines Civic Center downtown. The company also makes an effort to do previews and shorter versions of performances in the community, performing at all sorts of locations including malls and schools. Ticket prices for individual performances can vary widely—check to see prices for each show.