Kimberly Faith-Hickman Debuts "A Krampus Carol" with YES! at SNAP! Productions

Kimberly Faith-Hickman presents YES! - Your Empowerment Studio, and their first full production "A Krampus Carol" co-produced with SNAP! Productions, December 19-21st.  
We spoke to some of the delightful cast, Brinlee Roeder, Junie Scherr, and Pieper Roeder!  Hear how these talented youth approach an unconventional Krampus meets "A Christmas Carol" and how much fun they are having with this production. 
A Krampus Carol is a 60 minute play written by Brent Holland in 2022. This is a fun comedy based off the legend of Krampus who punishes children for their bad behavior, vs. the Dickens classic redemption tale.
For YES! and SNAP! Productions Ticket Information: https://www.snapproductions.com/tickets 
 
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Nebraskans For the Arts with Lance Nielsen: Arts and Culture Day on February 4th, 2026

We have legislative updates on the previous funding cuts, as well as learning about NFTA's "Arts and Culture Day" on February 4th, with evening opportunities to network on February 3rd! This is a great opportunity to learn how to advocate for support and funding for the Arts in Nebraska!
We spoke with Lance Nielsen, Executive Director, who checked in with us again to give us the scoop on all of the progress and advocacy they have been able to make with our legislature. Join us for this important conversation!
NEBRASKANS FOR THE ARTS CONTACT INFO:
Arts and Culture Day - February 4th - Registration is open!
Nebraska Arts Advocacy Network Action Alerts - Get up to date on how you can contact your local Senator.
Begin or Renew Your Nebraskans For The Arts Membership
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"Meet Me In St. Louis" - and - Chanticleer Community Theatre at PACE for Christmas!

We spoke to Director, Gary Bosanek and Hannah Goodrich, Actor (Esther) about their Christmas musical production "Meet Me In St. Louis" at the Hoff Center at Pottawattamie Arts/Culture Entertainment, produced by Chanticleer Community Theater! 
This musical production promises familiar old standards, music, dancing, a live orchestra and beautiful costumes.  With a cast of all ages, together they bring the magic of all four seasons with the Smith Family.  
"Meet Me In St. Louis" began as a book written by Sally Nelson in 1942.  It was developed into a film in 1944 and Judy Garland played the leading lady, Esther.  It was then made for TV in 1959 and again in 1966.  And in 1989 it became a Broadway Musical and closed in 1990 after 252 performances.  
Join us for a delightful conversation about this nostalgic classic!  Get your tickets today!
CONTACT INFO: Chanticleer Community Theater at the Hoff Center at the Pottawattamie Arts/Culture Entertainment Center  
Tickets & Website: https://www.paceartsiowa.org/theater/chanticleer-community-theater
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Bellevue Little Theatre Celebrates Christmas with "Miracle on 34th Street"

Sara Scheidies Directs (and Costume Designs) the Bellevue Little Theatre's production, "Miracle on 34th Street" and we talked to her about Directing her first Musical! We also talked to Riley Pope, who focuses on Props and Marketing for this show, but both of these women are multi-faceted and picking up wherever things are needed!  We hear about this cast of 30+ people and talk about a beloved Christmas classical story.
Join us for our first Christmas show podcast of the Season and don't miss this nostalgic and heart-warming play.  
BELLEVUE LITTLE THEATRE CONTACT INFO:
Tickets: https://blt.simpletix.com/
Website: http://www.theblt.org/
203 Mission Avenue, Bellevue, Nebraska 
402.291.1554
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SNAP! Productions Presents the Musical "Spring Awakening"

Chris visited SNAP! Productions during their rehearsals and spoke to three of the actors from their upcoming musical "Spring Awakening."  We spoke to Jamie Orton who plays Wendla, Jaden Nguyen, Melchior, and Peyton Casey, who plays Moritz.
This play was originally written back in 1891 in Germany by Frank Wedekind.  It has been a controversial drama about the consequences of sexual and religious repression on teenagers during that time - yet it is still relevant today.  It has been adapted throughout the years to make it more contemporary, most recently adding rock music to it (Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater and rock music by Duncan Sheik).
"Spring Awakening" opens November 7th and runs until the 23rd.
Industry Night - Pay What You Can will be November 10th.
SNAP! PRODUCTIONS CONACT INFO:
Tickets and Website:  https://www.snapproductions.com/
 2221 Thurston Cir, Bellevue, NE 68005
 
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Voices In Alliance Omaha Presents "Mothers & Sons" By Terrence McNally

We had a lovely conversation with Charlene Willoughby who plays Katharine, Justin Parsley as Cal, and Bowen Nowak as Will in "Mothers and Sons" by Terrence McNally.  This play opens November 5th at the Shelterbelt Theatre. 
This play is a sequel to the 1990 television play "Andre's Mother."  It is set 20 years in the future.  Andre's mother is looking for answers in her life, still drifting along in anger and grief over her son's and husband's passing.
Join us for an in-depth look at these three interesting characters in this dramatic production.  
Please note that dates and times to his play are Wed-Fri @ 7pm; Sat @ 2pm from Nov 5th - 15th. 
This production will be performed at Shelterbelt Theatre, 4383 Nicholas St STE 204, Omaha, NE 68131
Voices in Alliance (VIA Omaha) Ticket & Contact Info:
Tickets Info and Website: https://www.viaomaha.org/ 
 
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"The Night of the Living Dead" Opens at the Wilson Performing Arts Center!

We traveled to Red Oak, Iowa to visit the Wilson Performing Arts Center and learn more about their upcoming production of "Night of the Living Dead." This stage adaptation, written by Laurie Allen Ohm, is based on George A. Romero and John Russo's classic film.
Audiences can expect a thrilling blend of black and white, color, comedy, and horror as seven strangers find themselves trapped in an isolated farmhouse—while the undead close in. This is a fresh and exciting take on a cult classic that promises to entertain and surprise for the spooky season!
Warning - For ages 16+.  This play contains scenes of gore and graphic violence.
Performance Dates: October 17-19
 
WILSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets and Website: https://www.wilsonartscenter.org
300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak, IA
 
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The Ollie Webb Center Produces "The Looking Glass" by Kevin Lawler - Nebraska Playwright!

We had the opportunity to sit down with the talented team at Ollie Webb Center, Inc. to talk about their upcoming production of Looking Glass, an original play by Nebraska playwright Kevin Lawler.
Director Kimberly Clark-Kaczmarek, Artistic Director Jim Hoggatt, Education Director David Ackermann, and cast members Mary Kelly, Jordon McCoy, and Elise Arnold shared insights into this magical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass.
A collaboration with The Great Plains Theatre Commons, this production brings a fresh, imaginative twist to a classic tale!
Tune in for our group conversation to hear from the cast and crew, learn about the development of this new work, and discover more about the meaningful mission of the Ollie Webb Center.
Mark your calendars for the Gala Performance on October 16 — an evening that supports the transformative work of the Ollie Webb Center.
Ollie Webb Center, Inc. is the umbrella agency for Career Solutions, Inc. and The Arc of Omaha, dedicated to enriching the lives of children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities and their families through support, advocacy, and innovative programs.
Music by Jim Schroeder
A special thanks to Krista Freimuth, Stage Manager of this production!
 
THE OLLIE WEBB CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tickets and Website: https://www.olliewebbinc.org
Dates: October 17 at 7:00pm & October 19
Times: 2:00pm
Place: Scottish Rite Center, 202 S. 20th Street, Omaha, NE
 
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The Florentine Players Embraces the "Darque" with "Future Imperfekt" by Mark Reid, Nebraska Playwright

It’s that time of year again—and we're back with our second podcast episode featuring a show with adult themes in the spirit of the spooky season!
This time, we’re diving into Future Imperfekt—an original play written, cast, and directed by Nebraska playwright Mark Reid. Presented by The Florentine Players, this eerie production features four spine-tingling vignettes, each hosted by the mysterious and unsettling Mr. Darque.
We sat down with Mark Reid and Producer Derek Kowal to talk about this bold production. The team at The Florentine Players have stepped outside their comfort zone to bring you a unique and thrilling experience.
⚠️ Please note: This show is intended for adults only and contains mature and disturbing content.
Show Dates: October 16-19th!
FLORENCE COMMUNITY THEATER CONTACT INFO:
Tickets & Website: https://www.florentineplayers.com
The Florence Theater, 2864 State Street, Florence, Omaha, NE
 
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Nebraska Playwright, Alex Lubischer's "Pivot" opens in Lincoln by the Angels Theatre Company!

Join us for a special podcast episode featuring Angel’s Theatre Company’s production of Pivot at Wyuka Stables in Lincoln, Nebraska.
If you had the chance to see Pivot at Shelterbelt, you’ll find the Lincoln production brings a unique perspective to the play. The setting of Wyuka Stables adds a new layer to this already powerful story, written by Nebraska playwright Alex Lubischer.
We chat with Jamie Bullins, director of Pivot and Interim Director of Angels Theatre Company. It’s always a pleasure catching up with Jamie—and this time, there’s a fun twist. Listen in to find out what Jamie promises to do if ticket sales get a big boost.
Don’t miss this lively conversation and a chance to support local theatre. Get your tickets today and experience Pivot in a whole new way.
ANGELS THEATRE COMPANY:
"Pivot" opens October 9-12 & 16-19
⚠️ This show contains Mature Language and Adult Themes! 
Website and Tickets: www.angelscompany.org
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©Platte River Bard Podcast by Chris and Sheri Berger.