Interact: Providing educational theatre arts to the community

If asked what kind of educational opportunities the Omaha Community Playhouse provides, most OCP patrons would answer “camps, classes and workshops.” Very true! But did you know OCP also offers customized theatre arts programming for schools and organizations? The OCP Interact program does just that.

The Interact program offers interested groups the opportunity to provide educational theatre arts programming led by highly qualified teaching artists for their students or members. Some examples of recent Interact programming include:



• Afterschool workshops in acting, improv, dance, puppetry and script writing for Omaha Public elementary and middle schools. (Funding provided by Lincoln Financial Group)
• Acting workshops for Millard Public School elementary students during Fall Break.
• High School Residency Projects: a three-day workshop series which brings the themes of a current OCP production to life in conjunction with high school curriculum standards. (Funding provided by Wells Fargo Bank and the Nebraska Arts Council)
• Interviewing and scriptwriting workshops for Papillion-La Vista High Ability Learners (7th and 8th graders).
• Monthly dance workshops for the Catholic Homeschool Association.
• Shakespeare workshop for Skutt Catholic High School drama students.
• Building tours for various school groups and organizations such as St. Peter Claver High School art students, Girl/Boy Scouts, Burke High School English students and Lewis Central High School music appreciation students.



The Interact program works very much “a la carte”. In other words, we can tailor programming to fit every need and budget. From a complimentary building tour to a series of workshops over an eight-week session, OCP’s goal is to fill the creative needs of any school or organization.

If you know of a group looking for an educational opportunity, direct them to Melanie Walters, Director of Education and Outreach, at (402) 553-4890, ext. 131 or mwalters@omahaplayhouse.com.

Destination: World's Fare 2011

SAVE THE DATE!
Destination: World’s Fare, April 9, 2011

Where can you travel the world without ever leaving Omaha? At the Omaha Community Playhouse’s annual benefit—Destination: World’s Fare, on Saturday, April 9, 2011! Join us as we travel to fun and exotic destinations to sample the best cuisine and finest entertainment.

This year travelers will get their passports stamped in Las Vegas, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, India and Vienna. Tourists will be able to test their hand at Black Jack and Texas Hold ‘em, experience the magical lights of Tivoli Gardens and enjoy all the beauty of Austria and India. Each destination will feature its own unique cuisine and signature cocktail. The evening will culminate with a show by some of Omaha’s most talented performers.

Destination: World’s Fare is an annual fundraising event produced by ACT II, a support group dedicated to the promotion of the Omaha Community Playhouse. To learn more about ACT II and Destinations: World’s Fare, contact Jan Fry at the Playhouse, (402) 553-4890, ext. 145. We hope you can join us for this exceptional evening!

Fourth Down Discount

25% off tickets for The Odd Couple on Super Bowl Sunday

As football and advertising enthusiasts watch the still undetermined two NFL teams face off in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 6, 2011, you have the chance to enjoy the thrill of live theatre at a discounted price. Carrying on with the football spirit, the Omaha Community Playhouse is offering a fourth down discount during the Super Bowl. Adult tickets to The Odd Couple are 25% off for the 6:30 p.m. show on Super Bowl Sunday. After the 25% discount, adult tickets are $26.25.



The Odd Couple is playing in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre Jan. 21-Feb. 13, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Regular priced tickets are $35 for adults and $21 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets to The Odd Couple, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

The Ins and Outs with Anthony and Edward

Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek and Edward Cutler, the stars of the Omaha Community Playhouse’s (OCP) upcoming production of The Odd Couple, are quite different. On the surface they do indeed seem like a rather “odd couple”, but after spending a little time with them, you witness a real camaraderie, probably not unlike Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison…before they moved in together.



Anthony, who plays Felix, is an Assistant Principal at Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School. He is also a seasoned actor who has won many awards throughout his acting career—a career that began at Nebraska Wesleyan University. At Nebraska Wesleyan, Anthony was in a play directed by Judy Hart, the director of The Odd Couple. In this play, Anthony met and fell in love with his cast mate Kim. Kim, who is playing Cecily Pigeon in The Odd Couple, and Anthony are now married and have a daughter Stella. This is the first time since that fateful play that Judy will once again be directing both Kim and Anthony in the same play. Since the launch of his acting career, Anthony has starred in many productions, including his award-winning performance in Death of a Salesman at OCP last season for which he won Best Supporting Actor.



Edward hails from a different background completely. His entrance into the theatre world is a little more recent. The theatre bug bit Edward after acting in productions at the Fremont and Gretna Community Theatres and taking an acting class at OCP. He landed the role of Oscar Madison in the upcoming production of The Odd Couple, his first role at the country’s largest community theatre. Acting history is not the only area where Edward and Anthony differ. Formerly in the military, Edward works as an Anesthetist in Fremont. He resides in Papillion, NE and is married and a father of four.

Anthony and Edward may come from different experiences and backgrounds, but bring them together and throw in Director Judy Hart and the results are absolute hilarity!



Don’t miss The Odd Couple in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, Jan. 21-Feb. 13, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $21 students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

Opening Weekend Ticket Deals

Live theatre is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating types of entertainment, but sometimes our pocketbooks could use a little help. Throughout the season, the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) offers special deals on holidays or as part of a promotion, but there are some staple opening weekend discounts that you may not know about.

$7 Sundays
Enjoy $7 tickets on Sunday Nights during the opening weekend of the remaining 2010-11 shows in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre! Tickets are available in person at the Box Office window starting at 4 p.m. on the day of the show, and you might want to bring a lawn chair! Some people start camping out early to get those coveted tickets. Seats are limited and subject to availability and OCP does not accept advanced reservations for this special offer. Cash and check are the accepted forms of payment, and this offer is not valid on previous purchases.

The remaining 2010-11 shows for $7 Sunday tickets are:

The Odd Couple
Sunday, January 23, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Nunsense
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Steel Magnolias
Sunday, April 17, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Guys and Dolls
Sunday, May 29, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Lucky 7s
High school and full-time college students are eligible to see an opening weekend performance of a regular season production for only $7! Students should call the Box Office at (402) 553-0800, or visit the Box Office to purchase a Lucky 7 ticket. Students must show their school’s student ID when picking up the ticket at the will call window. Each student is limited to one ticket per production. Special events are excluded from this offer.

Educator Nights
A special event just for educators and support staff, Educator Nights feature a pre-show appetizer and cocktail reception and “meet and greet” with a member of the production team or cast when possible. Educator Nights are for the Sunday evening performance of opening weekend for mainstage shows. Educators can enjoy both the pre-show party and the show for only $15. The reception begins an hour before the show. To reserve a ticket for Educator Night, call the director of Sales at (402) 553-4890, ext. 147 or email mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com

Take advantage of these great deals and see exquisite theatre in the country’s largest community theatre!

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops

One of the missions of ACT II is to promote and educate the public about all the exciting things the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) has to offer. Act II is excited to introduce a brand-new event that will be a “friend-raiser,” bringing new families to OCP through an educational program for children.


ACT Out! Children’s Workshops
February 19, 2011, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
Only $15 per child!

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops invites students ages 4-18 to participate in a variety of theatre workshops featuring an array of topics. From basic acting games to improv to stage combat, there is something for youth of all ages!

There are two sessions on February 19, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Students will participate in three classes tailored to their age group and take a VIP backstage tour of OCP. The classes are broken down into age groups: 4-6, 7-10, 11-13 and high school.

To register or for more information, contact Jan Fry at (402) 553–4890, ext. 145.

January Metro Arts Pass Deal

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Playhouse, in the month of January, you can receive 2 tickets to Opera Omaha's Don Giovanni for only $50.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, Playhouse members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.