Cast Announcement | RENT

Congratulations to the cast of RENT opening Feb. 10 in the Howard Drew Theatre! Director Stephen

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Billy Ferguson - Mark Cohen

Jesse White - Roger Davis

DJ Tyree - Tom Collins

Allen Griffin - Benjamin Coffin III

Brandi Smith - Joanne Jefferson

Wayne Hudson - Angel Dumott Schunard

Isa Gott - Mimi Marquez

Evelyn Hill - Maureen Johnson

Addie Barnhart - Ensemble

Xavier Carr - Ensemble

Kylah Calloway - Ensemble

Joey Galda - Ensemble

Aiden Poling - Ensemble

Matt Bailey - Ensemble

Maddy Stark - Ensemble

Tickets are on sale now! 🎟️: https://bit.ly/OCPRent

Cast Announcement | AUGUST WILSON'S FENCES

 Congratulations to the cast of AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES opening Jan. 20 on the Hawks Mainstage! Director Denise Chapman and Associate Director TammyRa.

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Troy Maxson - Anthony Montegut

Rose - Kerri Forrester

Lyons - Raydell Cordell III

Gabriel - L. James Wright

Cory - Brandon Williams

Jim Bono - Eric Jordan Sr.

Raynell - Hope Haddad

Raynell - Anavie Lyons

Raynell - Brooklyn Montegut

Tickets are on sale now! 🎟️: https://bit.ly/OCPAugustWilsonsFENCES

Meet the Production Team | AUGUST WILSON'S FENCES

We're exactly one month away from opening night of AUGUST WILSON'S FENCES!

It takes many brilliant minds to bring any show to life. We're thankful for every individual who contributes, so we wanted to take this time to highlight some of the amazing people that'll help put this show on stage.

Headshots of Production Team

Denise Chapman | Director TammyRa' | Associate Director Andrea Haney | Stage Manager Jim Othuse | Scenic/Lighting Designer Tamara Newson | Costume Designer John Gibilisco | Sound Designer Ananias Montague | Composer Andrew Morgan | Props Master Not pictured: Greg Combs | Production Manager Greg Scheer | Production Coordinator Darrin Golden | Technical Director

AUGUST WILSON'S FENCES

Jan. 20 - Feb. 12

Tickets are available now! 🎟️: https://bit.ly/OCPAugustWilsonsFENCES

TTAP Helps Students Like Rae McCreary Build Lifelong Skills

 

Written by Joe Scioli

Rae McCreary joined the Theatre Tech Apprentice Program (TTAP) at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) because she wanted to further explore the technical aspects of theater. TTAP is a two-year program, in collaboration with Metropolitan Community College, designed for high school and early college students. Apprentices are given comprehensive insight into the technical careers of the entertainment industry through a blend of classroom and hands-on shop training.

 During her apprenticeship, McCreary learned about props, stage management, electrics and costuming. Although McCreary loved working with all the OCP staff members and resident designers, the person McCreary most admired was Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer Jim Othuse. He has dedicated an incredible amount of time to OCP and he “keeps showing up every day”. TTAP taught McCreary to work hard and never give up because there is always more good work to do. McCreary graduated from TTAP in 2018.

 In 2019, McCreary was nominated for an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for her props design for The Dairy Maid-Right at the Shelterbelt Theatre. She has also been involved with several productions at Creighton University, Wayne State University, the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and the Oregon Cabaret Theatre.

 After graduating from TTAP, McCreary attended Creighton University, where she obtained a B.A. in theater and a B.S. in biomedical physics in 2021. McCreary is currently attending graduate school at Wayne State University in Detroit to obtain an M.F.A. in lighting design. Her dream job is to be a theater professor.

 “People should participate in TTAP because it builds skills that are applicable in all aspects of life,” said McCreary. “Knowing how to communicate, ask questions, use resources, and learn from others are all skills that TTAP helped me improve and that I use in everyday life.”

Interested in learning more about the TTAP? Contact the Theatre Technology Apprenticeship Director by email at ttap@omahaplayhouse.com or visit our website: https://bit.ly/OCPTTA

 

 

Cast Announcement: A CHRISTMAS CAROL!

Congratulations to the cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL opening Nov. 18 on the Hawks Mainstage! Directed by Susie Baer Collins, Jim McKain, and Stephen Santa.

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Charlotte Agulla - Children Ensemble, Fan

Felicia Ariza - Adult Ensemble, Belle Fezziwig

Rachael Brich - Adult Ensemble, Martha Cratchit

Kim Clark-Kaczmarek - Adult Ensemble, Nell, Mrs. Dilber

Charlotte Couch - Children Ensemble, Tim Cratchit

Tabor Cross - Adult Ensemble, Fred

Megan Dunham (Morrissey) - Adult Ensemble, Millie

Brandon Fisher - Adult Ensemble, The Beggar

Elizabeth Fleissner (Avery) - Adult Ensemble, Lucy

Austin Goos - Children Ensemble, Boy w/ Sled

Jackson Goos - Children Ensemble, Schoolboy

Jenny Goos - Adult Ensemble, Chestnut Vendor

Mark Haufle - Adult Ensemble, Charity Man #1, Mr. Fezziwig

Scott Hegenbart - Adult Ensemble, Jake

Julie Huff - Adult Ensemble, Christmas Past

Halaina Hunter - Children Ensemble, Little Bo Peep

Courtney Jackson - Children Ensemble, Schoolboy

Grace Katt - Children's Ensemble

Don Keelan-White - Adult Ensemble, Jacob Marley

Anna Krambeck - Children Ensemble, Little Boy Blue

Brock McCullough - Adult Ensemble, Young Scrooge

Jerry Longe - Ebenezer Scrooge

Tom Neumann - Adult Ensemble, Charity Man #2, Poulterer

Cork Ramer - Ebenezer Scrooge Understudy

Anne Rogers - Adult Ensemble

Lila Rogers - Children Ensemble, Belinda Cratchit

Benjamin Rohling - Greenery Vendor, Schoolboy

Christina Rohling - Adult Ensemble, Mrs. Cratchit

Jacob Roman - Adult Ensemble, Bob Cratchit

Madeline Scarsi - Children Ensemble, Rances Cratchit

Hannah Tatby - Adult Ensemble, Mrs. Fezziwig

Gavin Turecek - Children Ensemble, Peter Cratchit

Dj Tyree - Adult Ensemble, Christmas Present

Corrigan Wakin - Children's Ensemble, Toyshop Assistant

Cullen Wiley - Adult Ensemble, Topper

Tickets are on sale now!

🎟️: https://bit.ly/AChristmasCarolOCP

Cast Announcement: DREAMGIRLS!

Congratulations to the cast of DREAMGIRLS opening Mar. 3

on the Hawks Mainstage, directed by Kathy Tyree!

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Anthony Haynes - Marty

Justin Blackson - Curtis Taylor

Karissa Johnson - Deena Jones

Candace Gould - Lorrell Robinson

Zhomontee Watson - Effie White

Corbin Griffin - CC White

Jordan Willis - Jimmy Early

Monica Weber - Michelle Morris

Alicia Amedee - Ensemble

Michelle Bester - Ensemble CynFranecia Brooks - Ensemble Raymond Butler - Ensemble Denzell Clements - Ensemble Brannon Evans - Ensemble

Ashari Johnson - Ensemble

Kevin Jones - Ensemble Alisa Moore - Ensemble Shirleena Terrell - Ensemble Nyarok Tot - Ensemble Justin Tyree - Ensemble Nina Washington - Ensemble

Tickets are on sale now! 🎟️: https://bit.ly/OCPDreamgirls

From Omaha to New York: TTAP Helps Graduate Get Into University of Choice

Written by Joe Scioli

Kaylan Paisley, a 2004 graduate of the Theater Technology Apprenticeship Program (TTAP) at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP), who has worked as a hair stylist for Broadway shows in New York City, has excellent memories from her time in the TTAP program. TTAP is a two-year program designed for high school & early college students. Apprentices are given comprehensive insight into the technical careers of the entertainment industry through a blend of classroom and hands-on shop training.

Paisley was attending high school at Millard North when she made the choice to participate in the TTAP program. Paisley had a friend that had completed the TTAP program, and the friend told Paisley all about it and how there were no cons of doing the program.
As a TTAP participant, Paisley learned about props and wardrobes. Prior to the apprenticeship, Paisley knew how to sew but she was not familiar with the backstage world of shows. In the TTAP program, Paisley learned many lessons. One of the most important lessons she learned was to work hard. Paisley said, “I had no idea what it takes to put on a show. If there is one weak link in the chain, it will not work. I would not be where I am without the apprenticeship program.” TTAP taught Paisley the importance of a good work ethic, and she learned that it is crucial for every show to have a great manager. 

In addition, Paisley received a comprehensive education about the workings of a show and the skills that one must have to help make a show successful. She still uses many of these valuable skills today. “The apprenticeship opened my eyes to a career that I didn’t even know existed,” Paisley proclaimed. She added that assisting with a show is the perfect job for her because there is nothing she loves more than running shows. “TTAP really shaped who I am today,” Paisley said. 

Of equal importance, Paisley especially loved the wonderful group of people she was surrounded by in the program. She particularly admired Lynette Latchford, Amy Reiner, John Gibilisco and Greg Scheer. Paisley made so many new friends, and the TTAP program connected her to the theater community. Paisley still keeps in touch with many of the people that she met in the TTAP program. Paisley was asked what could be done to make the TTAP experience even better. Paisley responded, “I just loved my experience so much that I’m really not sure if I would change anything.”

After the TTAP program, Paisley studied at North Carolina School of the Arts from 2004-2008. Paisley said, “Without the apprenticeship program, I would not have gotten into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.” Paisley said the school allowed her to meet the right people and secure her job today. North Carolina School of the Arts had a 100 percent job placement. Yes, you heard that right. 100 percent job placement. At North Carolina School of the Arts, Paisley received her bachelor's degree in wig and make-up design for theater and film. Paisley returned to Omaha and OCP each summer as a college student to help run shows such as Chicago and Ragtime.

After graduating from college, Paisley was on the road for about 10 years helping with various shows including Cats, 101 Dalmatians, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Evita and Legally Blonde. Thereafter, she moved to Las Vegas to work on Cirque du Soleil. After Vegas, Paisley moved to New York where she currently lives. Paisley was the Hair Department Head for Radio City Hall’s Christmas Spectacular. Paisley worked on Broadway shows such as Anastasia, Spongebob, Waitress and Caroline or Change. Paisley currently works for the NBC television show, Blacklist, and assists with the soundtrack at Saturday Night Live.

Away from theater, Paisley loves to play tennis and watch Broadway shows. Although Paisley very much enjoys assisting with Broadway shows, her dream job is retirement! Paisley’s gratitude for the apprenticeship program is unmatched, and she can’t wait to do what she can to continue to support OCP.

Interested in learning more about the TTAP? Contact the Theatre Technology Apprenticeship Director by email at ttap@omahaplayhouse.com or visit our website: https://bit.ly/OCPTTA