Theatre in Omaha, Nebraska facts for kids

Theatre is a fun way to tell stories live on a stage. It's like watching a movie, but the actors are right there in front of you! Omaha, Nebraska, has had a lively theatre scene since the city started in 1856. Many famous actors have come from Omaha. The city has lots of community theatres, which are places where local people put on plays. Some of Omaha's theatres and acting groups are even well-known across the country!

Cool Places to See Shows in Omaha

Omaha has many great places where you can watch plays and musicals.

Major Theatres

The Omaha Community Playhouse is a very special place. It is one of the biggest and most famous community theatres in the United States. A community theatre is where people from the local area, often volunteers, put on shows. The Playhouse creates its own plays and musicals each year.

Omaha also has other old and well-known theatres:

• The Orpheum Theater
• The Rose Theater

Sometimes, places like the Sokol Auditorium also host plays or touring shows that travel from other cities.

Other Local Stages

There are many other cool theatres in Omaha where you can catch a show:

• The Blue Barn Theatre
• The Holland Performing Arts Center
• Ralston Community Theatre
• Papillion-LaVista Community Theatre

The Magic Theatre has been a place for new and different kinds of plays for over 30 years. The John Beasley Theater & Workshop puts on modern plays. It also teaches people about acting and theatre in the Near North Side part of Omaha. The Chanticleer Community Theater is in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa, and also serves the Omaha area. The Grande Olde Players Theater Company performs all over the city. The Shelterbelt Theatre focuses on creating brand new plays. It also helps writers, actors, and crew members learn more about theatre.

Famous Faces from Omaha's Stage

Many talented actors and actresses have come from Omaha. Some were born here, and others lived here for a long time. Here are some of them:

• Craig Anton—actor, comedian
• Adele Astaire—dancer, entertainer
• Fred Astaire—dancer, actor
• John Beasley—actor
• Marlon Brando—actor
• Montgomery Clift—actor
• James M. Connor—actor
• Nicholas D'Agosto—actor
• Adam DeVine—actor, comedian
• David Doyle—actor
• Mary Doyle—actress
• Henry Fonda—actor
• Jane Fonda—actress
• Peter Fonda—actor
• Jorge Garcia—actor
• Hallee Hirsh—actress
• Jay Karnes—actor
• Jaime King—actress, model
• Chris Klein—actor
• Swoosie Kurtz—actress
• Dorothy McGuire—actress
• Nick Nolte—actor
• Alexander Payne—screenwriter/director
• Anne Ramsey—actress
• Andrew Rannells—actor
• Gabrielle Union—actress
• Julie Wilson—actress
• Johnny Carson—talk show host, comedian

See also

• Culture in Omaha, Nebraska
• Theatres in Omaha (category)