Nebraska Shakespeare: A Rich Cultural Experience
Traveling through the Great Plains state of Nebraska can be a transformative experience, with its vast open spaces, unique festivals, and rich cultural heritage. One of the state's lesser-known gems is Nebraska Shakespeare, a professional theater company that brings the works of the Bard to audiences across the state. Based in Omaha, the company was founded in 1987 as a community outreach program of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with the goal of providing free outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays to the public.
Over the years, Nebraska Shakespeare has grown to become one of the largest and most respected Shakespeare companies in the country, with a reputation for innovative productions that tackle some of the Bard's most challenging works. The company's productions are meticulously researched and carefully crafted to bring the language and themes of Shakespeare alive in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking. For example, the company's 2019 production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was set in a contemporary Omaha neighborhood, with fairies and humans interacting in ways that both honored and subverted the original text.
Nebraska Shakespeare's productions are often presented in non-traditional settings, such as parks, gardens, and even the city's historic Joslyn Castle, a stunning example of Châteauesque architecture in North Omaha. This approach allows the company to engage with new audiences and create a sense of community and connection among spectators. For example, the company's annual Shakespeare on the Green series, held in Omaha's Memorial Park, attracts thousands of people each summer, many of whom are seeing Shakespeare for the first time.
In addition to its mainstage productions, Nebraska Shakespeare also offers a range of educational and outreach programs, including workshops, lectures, and performances specifically designed for students and young adults. The company's "Shakespeare in the Schools" program, for example, has been recognized for its innovative approach to teaching Shakespeare to students in grades K-12, using techniques such as text analysis, role-playing, and improvisation to help young people connect with the language and themes of the plays.
One of the key factors that sets Nebraska Shakespeare apart from other theater companies is its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company has a reputation for casting actors from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels, and its productions often reflect the cultural and social realities of urban Nebraska. For example, the company's 2020 production of "Othello" was notable for its use of a diverse cast and its thoughtful exploration of themes such as racism, power, and manipulation.
Nebraska Shakespeare's productions have also been recognized for their innovative use of music, dance, and movement. For example, the company's 2018 production of "Twelfth Night" featured a lively score of jazz and blues music, performed by a live band, while the 2015 production of "Romeo and Juliet" incorporated a bold and energetic dance sequence that helped to bring the epic feud between the Montagues and Capulets to life.
In recent years, Nebraska Shakespeare has also begun to explore new modes of production and storytelling, including multimedia performances and immersive theater experiences. For example, the company's 2022 production of "Macbeth" incorporated elements of digital media and video projection to create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere that perfectly captured the dark and foreboding mood of the play.
Overall, Nebraska Shakespeare is a unique and valuable cultural resource that offers audiences a chance to engage with the works of Shakespeare in a new and innovative way. Whether you are a seasoned theater-goer or just looking for a new experience, Nebraska Shakespeare is definitely worth checking out.
Over the years, Nebraska Shakespeare has grown to become one of the largest and most respected Shakespeare companies in the country, with a reputation for innovative productions that tackle some of the Bard's most challenging works. The company's productions are meticulously researched and carefully crafted to bring the language and themes of Shakespeare alive in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking. For example, the company's 2019 production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was set in a contemporary Omaha neighborhood, with fairies and humans interacting in ways that both honored and subverted the original text.
Nebraska Shakespeare's productions are often presented in non-traditional settings, such as parks, gardens, and even the city's historic Joslyn Castle, a stunning example of Châteauesque architecture in North Omaha. This approach allows the company to engage with new audiences and create a sense of community and connection among spectators. For example, the company's annual Shakespeare on the Green series, held in Omaha's Memorial Park, attracts thousands of people each summer, many of whom are seeing Shakespeare for the first time.
In addition to its mainstage productions, Nebraska Shakespeare also offers a range of educational and outreach programs, including workshops, lectures, and performances specifically designed for students and young adults. The company's "Shakespeare in the Schools" program, for example, has been recognized for its innovative approach to teaching Shakespeare to students in grades K-12, using techniques such as text analysis, role-playing, and improvisation to help young people connect with the language and themes of the plays.
One of the key factors that sets Nebraska Shakespeare apart from other theater companies is its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company has a reputation for casting actors from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels, and its productions often reflect the cultural and social realities of urban Nebraska. For example, the company's 2020 production of "Othello" was notable for its use of a diverse cast and its thoughtful exploration of themes such as racism, power, and manipulation.
Nebraska Shakespeare's productions have also been recognized for their innovative use of music, dance, and movement. For example, the company's 2018 production of "Twelfth Night" featured a lively score of jazz and blues music, performed by a live band, while the 2015 production of "Romeo and Juliet" incorporated a bold and energetic dance sequence that helped to bring the epic feud between the Montagues and Capulets to life.
In recent years, Nebraska Shakespeare has also begun to explore new modes of production and storytelling, including multimedia performances and immersive theater experiences. For example, the company's 2022 production of "Macbeth" incorporated elements of digital media and video projection to create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere that perfectly captured the dark and foreboding mood of the play.
Overall, Nebraska Shakespeare is a unique and valuable cultural resource that offers audiences a chance to engage with the works of Shakespeare in a new and innovative way. Whether you are a seasoned theater-goer or just looking for a new experience, Nebraska Shakespeare is definitely worth checking out.
