DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT | Tomica S. Jenkins
DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT | Breanna Carodine!
We are thrilled to introduce you to the brilliant mind behind our latest show. Meet Breanna Carodine, director of PIPELINE!
Breanna brings a wealth of experience and a unique artistic vision to the pieces she directs, with a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail.
A member of the Omaha Community Playhouse directing fellowship inaugural class, Breanna Carodine made her directorial debut during the 2018/19 season with OCP’s staged reading of Lasso of Truth before serving as assistant director for Shrek The Musical. Most recently she directed Pretty Fire at OCP, What A Time to Be Alive at GPTC and Black Women Rebel with Radio Theatre Omaha at the Benson Theatre. Other directing credits include serving as the director for the staged reading of Women Laughing Alone with Salad and assistant directing The Color Purple (2022) at OCP and directing Down the Rabbit Hole with Radio Theatre Omaha.
Breanna last appeared on stage as Bradley in Men on Boats at OCP. Other acting credits include Minnie in Parade at OCP— a performance that earned her a Bill Bailey Debut Award — and Felice Ward in Gumbo (Lied Center for Performing Arts “Grow-A-Show” workshop.) Currently, she serves as the People Operations Generalist at Growth Ops Advisory. In her spare time, she enjoys making commentary on Bravo TV shows, raving about local restaurants on her Instagram @eatlocalomaha and hosting her own podcast @queensized.
Melodies Of Tomorrow Singer/Songwriter Showcase!
We’re thrilled to announce the individuals who will perform in the MELODIES OF TOMORROW Showcase!
- Dmitrii Shaposhnikov
- Lily Sanow
- Emily Cross and Memphis Bohrer-Arnold
- Arianna Calero-Anthis
Clyde's Partnership & Panel Discussion | Aug. 26!
OCP Welcomes Becky Noble!
OCP has selected Becky Noble as interim executive director.
She will lead OCP as the organization conducts a local and national search to
select the next permanent executive director.
Becky is a longtime Omaha
singer/actress and has performed at OCP numerous times. She served in a
leadership position as Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist for
Omaha South High School for 13 years; she retired last year. She also served as
executive director for the Dundee Dinner Theatre. In 2020, Noble received the
Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Arts Education. “We believe that
Becky’s knowledge of and passion for OCP and the Omaha theatre community
coupled with her leadership experience make her an ideal candidate for this
interim position,” said OCP Board President Camille Metoyer Moten.
OCP'S 2022|2023 AWARDS NIGHT WINNERS!
Announcing the 22/23 winners! Thank you to everyone who made the 98th season possible!
FONDA
MCGUIRE AWARD
for the most outstanding performances of the season
- Thomas Gjere, School of Rock
- TammyRa’, Pretty Fire
MARY
PECKHAM AWARD
for a memorable performance in a feature role
- Zhomontee Watson | Dreamgirls (musical)
- Paul T. Hanson | Little Shop of Horrors (musical)
- Ryan Eberhart | The Legend of Georgia McBride (play)
- Kerri Forrester | August Wilson’s Fences (play)
BARBARA
FORD AWARD
for outstanding performance in a supporting role
- Wayne Hudson II, RENT (musical)
- DJ Tyree, RENT (musical)
- Josh Peyton, Little Shop of Horrors (musical)
- Dennis Collins, The Legend of Georgia McBride (play)
- L. James Wright, August Wilson’s Fences (play)
ELAINE
JABENIS CAMEO AWARD
for a memorable performance in a small role
- Logan Graves., School of Rock (musical)
- Xavier Carr, RENT (musical)
JIM
EISENHARDT OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD
for the most outstanding performance by a youth in the
season
- Vivian Rase, School of Rock
- Zidyn Burton, School of Rock
OUTSTANDING
DEBUT YOUTH AWARD
for outstanding performance in a first appearance on an OCP
Stage
- Oakland Anderson, School of Rock
- Thomas Rogers, School of Rock
BILL
BAILEY DEBUT AWARD
for outstanding performance in a first appearance on an OCP
Stage
- Isa Gott, RENT (musical)
- Karissa Denae Johnson, Dreamgirls (musical)
- Ryan Figgins, The Legend of Georgia McBride (play)
- Anthony Montegut, August Wilson’s Fences (play)
DICK
BOYD AWARD
to recognize exceptional contribution to the stage
- Cullen Wiley
- Tabor Cross
CHARLES
JONES AWARD
to recognize excellence in performance at the
discretion of the artistic director
- Jerry Longe, A Christmas Carol
TRUSTEES
AWARD
In recognition of special distinguished service to the
Omaha Community Playhouse
- Lindsay Lundholm
DEE
AND ED OWEN AWARD
for corporations, foundations and individuals whose
partnership and contribution have nurtured and sustained ongoing development of
the Playhouse
- Security National Bank
BACKSTAGE
AND COSTUME VALUABLE SERVICE AWARD
- Emma Aldrich
- Ashley Clem
- Emma Evans
- Elizabeth Greer
- Megan Grisinger
- Karen Hector
- Jack Lammers
- Angela Leuschen
- Madeline McCrae
- Mike Neeson
- Nora Roberson
- Kevin Study
- Roger Downer
- Shelby Cervantes-Sheard
- Bethany Siedenburg
- Cecily Zdan
- Sam Girouex
- Jo Jensen
- Katelyn Means
STAGE
MANAGER RECOGNITION
- Melissa Linn, Georgia McBride
- Jeanne Shelton, A Christmas Carol
- Maggie Carolus, Sister's Christmas Catechism
- Andrea Haney, Fences
- Jeanne Shelton, Rent
- Steve Priesman, Dreamgirls
- Alex Konczey, Little Shop of Horrors
- Andrea Haney, Pretty Fire
- Jeanne Shelton, Respect
- Page Amick, The Cake
- Steve Priesman, School of Rock
Announcing the 2023/24 OCP Directing Fellows!
Meet the 2023/24 Directing Fellows
The Omaha Community Playhouse is excited to announce the recipients of the 2023/24 OCP Directing Fellowship.
- Hannah Barnes: Clyde's - Assistant Director
- Shannon Chinn: Beautiful The Carole King Musical - Assistant Director
- Jackson Newman: Pipeline - Assistant Director
- Justin Parsley: The Play That Goes Wrong - Assistant Director
- Madison Roman: Cabaret - Assistant Director-Choreographer
- Charles Wilke: Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery - Assistant Director
- Allana Pommier: Chicken & Biscuits - Assistant Director
- Beth Leona King: Hello, Dolly! - Assistant Director
Hannah Barnes (She/her)
Hannah is thrilled to be working with Omaha Community Playhouse for the first time! Raised in Omaha, she is a graduate of Bethel University, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance. Hannah has been on both sides of the curtain starring as “Cherubino” in Le nozze di Figaro and assistant directing Next to Normal. Hannah would like to thank her family and Alex Rodriguez for all their support, wisdom, and encouragement.
Shannon Chinn (She/her)
Shannon has previously participated in OCP’s 2022/2023 Directing Fellowship as the Assistant Director for Pretty Fire. She has also directed STUPID F##KING BIRD and Spoon River Anthology both at Nebraska Wesleyan University and the 146th Point Flame at Raymond Central High School, which placed runner-up at the NSAA Class B Capitol Conference. Shannon has also helped create various immersive productions inspired by classical works such as In Sorrow’s Guise: An Immersive Medea and Lest Faith Turn: An Immersive Romeo and Juliet. She currently works as one of the theatre program directors at Raymond Central High School. You can find Shannon anytime by listening closely for her signature goose-like laugh.
Justin Parsley (he/they) – Justin is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join OCP’s Directing Fellowship during its 2023-2024 season. He is an aspiring director and can’t wait to learn from, and collaborate with, the amazing talent that Omaha has to offer. This will be his first time jumping “behind the table” and he looks forward to working as an Assistant Director for The Play That Goes Wrong. Justin has had a passion for theater since a young age and has spent most of his time working on shows as an actor/performer. He was last seen on the OCP Stage as Mr. Spencer/Mr. Wagner in School of Rock. Other recent productions include PLVCT’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vice Principal Panch*), Chanticleer’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Inspector/Ensemble) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Asher), and Ralston Community Theater’s Something Rotten!** (Brother Jeremiah). He has also performed with the Omaha Symphony as part of the vocal ensemble, Résonance. Outside of theater, Justin spends his time directing healthcare providers as a leader and educator. A registered nurse by background, he holds a Doctorate in Nursing Administration and Leadership (Creighton ’22). Much love to his husband James for the constant love and support, and a “pspspsps” to his cats Miss Honey and Georgie.
Madison is ecstatic to be a directing fellow and assistant director-choreographer for Cabaret at the Omaha Community Playhouse. As a professional actor of 12 years she is delighted to be able to expand her artistry through directing. Madison has performed across the Midwest and was previously based out of New York City before the pandemic brought her back to Omaha. She holds a Bachelor's of Music in Musical Theatre with specific training in Vocal Pedagogy. Some of her favorite credits include: Gingy in Shrek the Musical at both Black Hills Playhouse, and Crane River Theatre, Urleen in Footloose at Crane River Theatre, Sally in Cabaret at Chanticleer Theatre (OEA nominee), and Hope in Urinetown at UNK (Irene Ryan Award Winner). Madison now can be found choreographing at Elkhorn North High School, auditioning, and giving music lessons in her spare time. I would like to thank my family for all their help, God for his blessings, and OCP for this opportunity. Finally, to my husband and daughter, thank you for sharing me with the theatre and supporting my passion. You two are the loves of my life.
Congratulations to the 2023/24 OCP Directing Fellows!