Many of us remember theatre as a high school extracurricular, or as a 112 level class that we took to take care of an ACE requirement. However, theatre in Lincoln is more than just classes and UNL’s Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. The theatre scene in Lincoln is alive and thriving. As students, we should take advantage of Lincoln’s unique theatre groups and venues. After all, after you graduate, you won’t be able to buy tickets at a discounted rate anymore. Going to the theatre is not only super fun, but it also makes you look smarter and probably cooler, and it’s an easy way to impress a date. In addition, many theatrical performances in Lincoln are cheap enough that students can go for about the price of a movie (or even for free). So, without further ado, here are some brief profiles of a few of the many theatre groups in Lincoln.
The Nebraska Girls’ Shakespeare Company
History
The Nebraska Girls’ Shakespeare Company was founded in 2008, as a project to get teenage girls active in Shakespeare. Since many of Shakespeare’s plays are male-dominated, NGSC was created in order to be a place where young women were provided the opportunity to have leading roles in Shakespeare’s works.
Mission
According to NGSC member Lillian Bornstein, “NGSC aims to empower women through the performing arts and provide girls across the state with opportunities for growth both as performers and as people. As a group run entirely by teenage girls, company members are able to gain experience both spreading significant messages through theatre and managing an organization (including dealing with funds, publicity, and networking). The independence is both challenging and liberating, but allows us to pursue our passions freely.”
What’s Up Next:
An experimental Macbeth film project, a production of Taming of the Shrew scheduled for this summer, and a performance at Elwood’s “Shakespeare in the Streets” Festival this April.
Angels Theatre Company
History
According to their website, the Angels Theatre Company was founded by Judy Hart, Pippa White, and Sherry Cole in 1992. The company was named after the religious iconography of the church that the group first met in. Their first production (Grace, Zeal, and Transformation) was performed in this space in December 1994.
Mission
The Angels Theatre Company’s mission statement is as follows: “The Angels Theatre Company creates engaging theatre to foster community partnerships, social awareness and change.” In addition, their website includes a values statement which says, “Angels Theatre Company’s work incorporates the timeless values of creativity, integrity, independent thinking, excellence, and diversity.”
What’s Up Next:
Beginning on March 20, the company will present Las Hermanas Padilla by Tony Meneses. The show runs March 20-22, 26-29 at 7:30 PM and March 23 at 2:00 PM at the Lied Center. According to Judy Hart, the executive director of the company, it is “a story of ten women waiting for their husbands to return home from war.” Stage manager Emily Kuklinski says, “The cast is made up entirely of 10 women, which is pretty unheard of in the theatre world, unless you’re talking about musicals. It incorporates powerful messages about coping with grief through mystical realism, but there are also touching and hilarious moments woven in it, too.”
On the last two Tuesdays of April and the first two Tuesdays of May, actor/members will perform reflections on visual art with small audiences at the Sheldon Art Gallery (on campus). Finally, on May 4 and 18 at 2:00 p.m., An Afternoon with Edith Wharton will inform viewers about the life and times of novelist Edith Wharton. The afternoon will include tea, theatre and a scholarly discussion of Wharton’s works. This work will be presented in the historical Ferguson House.
The Lincoln Community Playhouse
History
According to their website, the Lincoln Community Playhouse was founded in 1947 after a merger of the Lincoln Community Theatre and the Circlet Theatre. Their first production was on February 21, 1947. In 1954, the decision was made to rename the theatre from the “Lincoln Circlet Community Theatre” to the “Lincoln Community Playhouse.” The new Playhouse staged its first production on November 3 of that year. In 1972, the Playhouse purchased their current space at 2500 South Street, and in 1980 they opened the Children’s Theatre.
Mission
The mission of LCP as stated on their website is to “create and promote quality theatrical experiences that meet the needs of the Lincoln area. LCP achieves its mission by providing opportunities for participation by children, youth, and adults; a variety of opportunities for volunteerism; a variety of opportunities for education regarding the theatre; and by promoting a new theatre that is entertaining and affordable to a multi-faceted audience.”
What’s Up Next:
Upcoming productions include Stepping Out (April 4-13), and Oliver! (May 9-18). The Playhouse offers opportunities for people of all ages (including college students) to get involved with various productions, whether in acting, technical work, or volunteering. Volunteer positions include construction crew, costumer, greeters/ushers, run crew, soundboard operator, and painting crew.
Flatwater Shakespeare Company
History
According to Flatwater Shakespeare intern and UNL student Paden Alexander, Flatwater Shakespeare was founded in 2001 by Bob Hall, Stephen Buhler, and their associates. They perform in an open-air venue at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln known as “The Swan.” This performance space has offers inspiration for many shows, and makes seeing one of their productions an awesome activity for summer nights (especially since they’ve teamed up with Lincoln favorite Ivanna Cone in order to provide sweet treats during performances). In addition, they have performed at the Haymarket Theatre and city parks. The company not only performs Shakespeare, but also gives attention to other classical literature, such as Cyrano de Bergerac. The current artistic director of the company is Bob Hall, with Stephen Buhler as the acting dramaturge. The board of directors includes a wide variety of Lincoln officials and artistic supporters.
Mission
FSC’S mission statement is, “To inspire and inform actors, artists, audiences, scholars, and students of the Midwest through theatre productions of the highest quality, based in the works of Shakespeare and other playwrights of worth, and enhanced by a creative educational wing.” Says Alexander, “In addition, FSC seeks to give affordable entertainment to a variety of audiences, and strives to bring forward talented actors and technicians, as well as giving avid artistic supporters a wonderful experience.”
What’s Up Next:
Auditions for this summer’s performance of The Comedy of Errors are on March 22 from 1-5 at the Lincoln Community Foundation building, with roles available “from late teens through infinity.” These auditions will also serve as general company auditions. Actors will be paid $400 for their participation in the show, which will tour Lincoln parks this summer. Those wishing to audition should bring either a brief memorized piece, read a piece that has been practiced (preferred if you do not have time to memorize a piece), or ask for a cold reading at the audition. In addition to acting, FSC offers opportunities for backstage help.
Alexander writes, “As a student and a longtime fan and actor for FSC, I can say that this is one of the best companies you could possibly support. They offer an equal opportunity for all actors, and offer a number of non-traditional casting opportunities…Actors get a lot of creative freedom with their characters, as well as excellent guidance and leadership from Bob Hall and an excellent learning resource from dramaturge Dr. Stephen Buhler.”
Finally, Flatwater Shakespeare offers great opportunities for students to see their shows, especially in the summer. The Comedy of Errors will tour Lincoln parks this summer with free admittance (a free will donation is encouraged). In addition, Lincoln favorite Ivanna Cone has teamed up with the company, and will be offering “a variety of delightful treats” at the performances. So, says Alexander, “Whether you feel like being up on stage, or sitting back with a cold treat and enjoying high-quality entertainment, FSC is the perfect venue for all of your classical entertainment needs.”
Theatrix
History
Theatrix is a theatre company ran by students of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL. Theatrix includes staff members as well as student advisors and faculty advisors who write and direct plays and original plays. Theatrix started its annual New Artists Festival in 2008, one aspect of the company, which showcases new student playwrights, director, actors and designers. Their website says that the festival “continues to challenge students to create new and exciting work.”
Mission
Theatrix is the student-run theatre company at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, whose purpose is to provide opportunities to create theatre in an environment where students can apply knowledge and techniques in a practical setting.
What’s Up Next:
The big upcoming event for Theatrix is the play Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Sean Grosshans. The play runs Mar. 17- Mar. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Temple building at 12th and R streets. This is the third installment of the 2013-2014 season for Theatrix.
Other Theatre Groups in Lincoln:
Nebraska Repertory Theatre
The 2014 season includes Unnecessary Farce, directed by Alan Knoll, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by Doug Finlayson, and Circle Mirror Transformation, directed by Virginia Smith.
The Haymarket Theatre
Located in the Historic Haymarket, the Haymarket Theatre is the home of the Nebraska Youth Theatre as well as productions for adults. It also offers classes and workshops. In May 22-June 1, the group will present Daisy Pulls it Off.
TADA Productions
TADA (The Arts Deserve Attention) Productions is also located in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket. Upcoming productions include Godspell (Mar. 27-30, Apr.3-6, 10-11), Torch Song Serenade (Apr. 25-26), and TADA’s Tribute to Bradway (July 11-13).
Lyp Schtick! Comedy Improv
Lyp Schtick! is Lincoln’s improv theatre troupe (think Whose Line is it Anyway). They host public performances, as well as performing at corporate holiday parties, functions, fundraisers, and high school and college functions.
Other venues:
The Lied Center for Performing Arts
The Rococo Theatre