Giving Tree Theater

06/19/2026

Today we celebrate Juneteenth — a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and honors freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

At Giving Tree Theater, one of our core values is Grow Through Diversity. We believe that sharing stories, learning from one another, and experiencing different perspectives helps build a stronger, more connected community.

As we recognize Juneteenth, we celebrate the contributions, creativity, and history of Black Americans while reflecting on the work that remains to create a more just and inclusive world.

May we continue to learn, listen, and grow together.

06/18/2026

What do Brisbane, Australia and Uptown Marion have in common? Almost Bernadette. Get your cozy seats now at givingtreetheater.com

06/17/2026

Summer at GTT Is in Full Swing

There's no summer slowdown at Giving Tree Theater! Over the next few weeks we'll be gathering for Bingo, welcoming an award-winning cabaret performer to our stage, opening a beloved Broadway musical, and wrapping up another fantastic month of summer classes. Whether you're looking for a fun night out or a creative opportunity for your child, there's something happening at GTT.

GTT Bingo —
A Few Seats Just Opened Up!

The response to GTT Bingo has been incredible, and we are nearly at capacity! A few seats have recently become available, so if you've been thinking about joining us, now is the time to reserve your spot.

Expect an evening of laughs, prizes, friendly competition, and community fun. Best of all, admission is free.

Can't make it—or miss out on one of the remaining seats? Don't worry. We'll be bringing back another free community Bingo night this fall.

We're also excited to announce that in September we'll put a new twist on the experience with Holy Mother of Bingo! – Murder Mystery Bingo Theatre.

Play Bingo. Solve a murder. Suspect everyone.

This unique interactive event combines the excitement of Bingo with the intrigue of a murder mystery, challenging guests to uncover the culprit while competing for prizes. Unlike our community Bingo nights, this special theatrical event will be a ticketed experience and promises an evening full of mystery, laughs, and surprises.

Whether you join us this Saturday, at our next free Bingo night this fall, or for the murder mystery in September, we're looking forward to seeing you yell "Bingo!" at Giving Tree Theater.

Almost Bernadette — June 26–28

Dubbed Bernadette Peters' doppelgänger, award-winning performer and University of Iowa alumna Mia Gimenez brings Almost Bernadette to Giving Tree Theater for a special three-performance engagement.

Featuring songs including Move On, Fever, and Losing My Mind, this intimate cabaret blends Broadway classics with stories of identity, resilience, humor, and transformation. Joined by special guests Caleb Haselhuhn, Rob Merritt, and Kyra Kanz, Mia creates a deeply personal and entertaining experience that celebrates authenticity, courage, and connection.

Performances are Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 PM.

Little Women Opens July 10

The beloved story of the March sisters comes to life on the Giving Tree Theater stage beginning July 10. Filled with beautiful music, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes of family, love, ambition, and sacrifice, Little Women: The Broadway Musical is a heartfelt celebration of one of literature's most enduring stories.

Tickets are available now for this inspiring musical event.

Last Week of June Summer Classes

Next week marks the final week of our June summer classes, featuring our popular Play in a Week program. Students will spend the week learning, creating, rehearsing, and performing a show in just five days—an exciting challenge that builds confidence, teamwork, and creativity.

Looking ahead, additional summer classes will be offered during the first two weeks of August, giving students another opportunity to experience the fun, friendship, and personal growth that theater provides. Registration is now open, and we'd love to welcome your young performer to the stage.

Click here for an update from Giving Tree Theater!

06/15/2026

One of these numbers could be your lucky number.

GTT Bingo Hall is this Saturday, and we’re getting ready for a night of laughs, prizes, drinks, snacks, and friendly competition.

This isn’t your granny’s bingo.

Bring your friends, plan a date night, or gather your most competitive crew and join us for a fun night out at Giving Tree Theater.

🎉 Free to play
🏆 Prizes throughout the night
🍿 Concessions available
🍺 Drinks available

Seating is limited, so reserve your spot at givingtreetheater.com before all the cards are spoken for.

06/14/2026

We’re honored to be included in Iowa Starting Line’s list of “10 Queer-Friendly Spaces to Feel Safer in Iowa.”

Thank you for the recognition. One of Giving Tree Theater’s core values is Grow Through Diversity: engaging our community in experiences that build awareness, understanding, and appreciation for different lifestyles, perspectives, and forms of live entertainment.

Creating a place where people feel welcomed, respected, and valued has always been important to us. It means a great deal to know that others see that commitment reflected in what we do.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make Giving Tree Theater a place where people can connect, learn, laugh, and belong. ❤️

Iowa Starting Line keeps you connected with what's happening across the state.

06/12/2026

Do you like to laugh?
Then you’re going to want to be at GTT Tavern this Saturday at 7:00 PM.

Expect fantasy, fun, fast-moving improv, and plenty of chaos along the way. This time, the adventure also includes special guest Mamma Yaga, which means anything could happen.

Grab your tickets and join us for a night of laughs, surprises, and Tavern mischief.

06/12/2026

Something Completely Different Is Coming to Giving Tree Theater...

Emily F-ing Dickinson: America's Favorite Recluse

Giving Tree Theater is thrilled to welcome award-winning performer Shelley Cooper in Emily F-ing Dickinson: America's Favorite Recluse, a wildly entertaining one-woman musical inspired by the life and poetry of America's most famous literary rebel.

Part concert. Part confession. Part rebellion.

Featuring an original score and unforgettable storytelling, this intimate cabaret dives into the mind of a woman who refused to live by anyone else's rules. Funny, heartfelt, fiercely creative, and just a little unhinged, it's a theatrical experience unlike anything else you'll see this season.

Whether you love theater, poetry, history, or simply discovering something completely unexpected, this is one wild night you definitely didn't read about in class.

Tickets are on sale now at GivingTreeTheater.com

06/10/2026

Adventure, Laughter, and

Summer Fun Await

Summer is officially underway at Giving Tree Theater, and we're filling the season with opportunities to laugh, connect, learn, and experience something new. From the fantasy adventure of GTT Tavern and the friendly competition of GTT Bingo to the inspiring music and storytelling of Almost Bernadette, there's something happening for every member of the GTT family. And with summer classes underway and more sessions still to come, it's a great time to make Giving Tree Theater part of your summer plans.

Upcoming Events

GTT Tavern Returns This Saturday

The dice are ready, the party is assembled, and another unforgettable adventure awaits. GTT Tavern returns this Saturday as our fearless (or perhaps questionable) heroes continue their journey through a world of magic, mayhem, and unexpected twists.

This adventure comes with a very special guest: Mamma Yaga. What role she'll play in the story—and whether she'll help or hinder our heroes—is anyone's guess. In the world of GTT Tavern, audience interaction and the roll of the dice shape the story, meaning anything can happen.

Join us for an evening of fantasy, laughter, surprises, and the kind of live storytelling that can only happen once. Every show is a unique adventure, and this is one quest you won't want to miss.

GTT Bingo — June 20

Grab your friends, your favorite lucky charm, and get ready for GTT Bingo! This isn't your grandmother's bingo night. Expect laughs, prizes, friendly competition, and a fun night out with friends.

Best of all, admission is free! Seating is limited, however, so be sure to reserve your spot early. Gather your crew and join us for an evening of community, entertainment, and a little friendly rivalry.

Almost Bernadette — June 27

Award-winning performer and University of Iowa alumna Mia Gimenez brings Almost Bernadette to Giving Tree Theater on June 27. Dubbed "Bernadette Peters' doppelgänger," Mia lovingly reimagines the music and spirit of one of Broadway's most beloved performers in an intimate cabaret featuring songs such as Move On, Fever, and Losing My Mind.

More than a concert, Almost Bernadette is a personal and heartfelt journey through identity, resilience, humor, and transformation. Joined by special guests Caleb Haselhuhn, Rob Merritt, and Kyra Kanz, Mia blends Broadway classics with authentic storytelling to create an evening that is moving, inspiring, and uniquely her own.

Whether you're a lifelong musical theater fan or simply appreciate powerful live performance, this is a one-night-only event you won't want to miss.

Just Announced

Emily F***ing Dickinson: America's Favorite Recluse

Poet. Recluse. Icon.

This is not your English teacher's Emily Dickinson.

Award-winning performer Shelley Cooper brings Emily F-ing Dickinson: America's Favorite Recluse to Giving Tree Theater in a bold, funny, and fiercely musical one-woman show inspired by the life and poetry of America's most famous literary rebel.

Featuring an original score and unforgettable storytelling, this intimate cabaret is part concert, part confession, and part rebellion. Equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and a little unhinged, the show explores identity, resilience, creativity, and the courage to live life on your own terms.

Whether you're a theater lover, poetry enthusiast, or simply enjoy discovering something completely different, this is one wild night you definitely didn't read about in class.

Click here for an update from Giving Tree Theater!