Recommended Reading for Girls: Where are they now? - Mary Kelly

Mary Kelly

Mary Kelly (Marilynn Saunders) last appeared as Virginia Butley in Native Gardens earlier this season! Before Native Gardens, Mary appeared as Wendy Darling in The Feast (Shelterbelt Theatre) in 2017 where she received the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play. Favorite memory: "I have so many wonderful memories of this production. I absolutely loved making that entrance from the bookcase at the end of the play. The lighting was phenomenal. Actually, let me give you another memory. I got some kind of spring virus that gave me almost complete laryngitis one night. I lost it during a scene with Christina Rohling. She ran to the mini-fridge on the set, grabbed a prop juice box, stabbed it with a straw and gave it to me so I could finish that scene." #OCPRecommendedReadingforGirls

Recommended Reading for Girls: Where are they now? - Mika Caplan

Mika Caplan

Mika Caplan (Heidi) last appeared as Chief Elder in The Giver and Silly Girl in Disney's Beauty in the Beast (Burke High School) and Female E in a staged reading of The Motherhood Almanac (Shelterbelt Theatre). She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and will be graduating in a few weeks with a B.S. in Microbiology. Between classes and research, Mika unfortunately hasn't been able to participate in any sort of theatre productions for the last few years. Favorite memory: "My favorite memory from this show definitely has to do with the cast. As the youngest cast member, I learned a lot from the outstanding team of women who worked to put on this production. I was really touched when the entire cast helped me celebrate my 15th birthday during one of the shows in May that was complete with Heidi-themed Swiss Rolls and homemade cake. Even though I had only recently gotten my learner's permit, everyone treated me like a mature young adult from the very beginning. I also really enjoyed learning all of my lines in German! I remember listening to audio recordings of my lines read by a native German speaker on repeat and trying to replicate the sounds and the accent. It was definitely a challenging role to fill, but I had I had such a great time being part of this special play." #OCPRecommendedReadingforGirls

Recommended Reading for Girls: Where are they now? - Christina Rohling

Christina Rohling

Christina Rohling (Amy Saunders) recently appeared as Mrs. Cratchit (with three of her four children) in A Christmas Carol earlier this season and in 2018! Before A Christmas Carol, Christina appeared as Eve in Diaries of Adam and Eve (Joslyn Castle) in 2019. She appeared as Theresa in Eminent Domain at OCP in the 2017/18 season and it just premiered online last Friday! You can watch it here: bit.ly/OCPatHome. Favorite memory: "I mentioned family above because my favorite memories of this show came from our rehearsal process. We became a family and supported each other. We laughed, cried and laughed until we cried together. This was one of the most warm, inviting rehearsal processes I have experienced. It was a magical place to be and I will always be grateful to have been a part of this beautiful show." #OCPRecommendedReadingforGirls

Recommended Reading for Girls: Where are they now? - Laura Leininger-Campbell

Laura Leininger-Campbell

Laura Leininger-Campbell (Jackie Saunders) was recently seen as Tracey in Sweat earlier this season! Before Sweat, Laura wrote Eminent Domain that appeared on the OCP stage in the 2017/18 season and it just premiered online last Friday! You can watch it here: bit.ly/OCPatHome. In 2015, Laura was seen as Mariah in Untitled Series #7 (Shelterbelt Theatre). Favorite memory from Recommended Reading for Girls: "I was so grateful for how remarkably close we became as a cast. Ellen’s beautiful story, along with Amy Lane’s caring direction, really gave all us women a wonderfully creative space where every new choice was an adventure we all took together. That support helped us reach the rich depth of emotions within this piece. I miss this play!" #OCPRecommendedReadingforGirls

Playing Our Part: Stories from QuaranTEENS

Playing Our Part: Stories from QuaranTEENS

The Henry Fonda Theatre Academy is asking youth ages 13–18 to submit poems, monologues and art work for a brand new project as part of a Teen Staged Reading Summer Series.

Now more than ever, we need art to lift us up or give us perspective. As the future artists and storytellers of the world, we want to hear about YOUR experiences dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. How has the national crisis affected you? What is it like to social distance from your friends? What things have you lost or learned? Be as creative as you want! This is your time to express yourself and our team will offer feedback and support as you create your story.
Submissions are being accepted through May 15 and will be presented as a staged reading to the public at the end of the summer.

Email your submission to HFTA director, Mackenzie Dehmer, at mdehmer@omahaplayhouse.com.

Will Meinen to start teaching at the Henry Fonda Theatre Academy

Will Meinen started his improv and comedy career in Omaha at the Backline Theater. In 2012, he moved to Chicago where he received improv training at the iO, Second City and Annoyance Theaters and acting training at Green Room Studio and Black Box Acting. Will was cast on a weekend house team at the iO Theater in 2014 and performed on The Armando Diaz Experience, the longest running long form improv show. Along with performing, Will has coached iO Theater teams "Carl and the Passions" and "2 Bed 3 Bath," as well as multiple independent teams. He has appeared at improv festivals across the U.S. and performed in New York TV and Film and SNL industry showcases. Will is excited to share what he has learned as a performer and coach in classes at the Omaha Community Playhouse. His classes and workshops focus on building the practice of "Yes And," listening and responding in the moment, using emotion and physicality to inform character and working at the height of your intelligence. Bonus content includes anecdotes about minor celebrities he met briefly at the iO bar or Old Town Ale House.

OCP announces the cast of The Color Purple

Congratulations to the cast of The Color Purple, directed by Denise Chapman and Kathy Tyree. Opening in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre May 29 through June 28! Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 7.

Name – Role
TammyRa Jackson – Celie
Dara Hogan – Shug
Brandi Smith – Sophia (Understudy Celie)
Daisy Sudderth – Squeak
Brittney Thompson – Nettie
Justin Blackson – Mister
Anthony Holmes – Harpo
Brendan Brown – Grady/Ensemble
Eric Jordan – Old Mister/Ensemble
Raymond Butler – Adam/Ensemble
Lanaija Woodfolk – Olivia/Ensemble
Almeda Lopez – Church Ladies
Doriette Jordan – Church Ladies (Understudy Sophia)
Alicia Amedee – Ensemble
Serena Johnson – Church Lady
Kerri Forester – Church Lady