INTERACT is the educational outreach program of the Omaha Community Playhouse. Its objective is to provide educational theatrical programming for children through collaborations with arts professionals and other local arts organizations.
Educational programming in the arts can be tailored to any group or situation. The Omaha Community Playhouse has specifically designed workshops for a variety of groups in the area. Teachers and performers are matched to the event, and programming can be designed to fit any space, time frame and budget.
Examples of available programming:
• High School Theatre Arts Residencies
Brings themes or topics from current-season Playhouse productions to life through a three-day workshop series in area high schools. Through these successful collaborations, students in social studies, history, cultural geography, government, political science and other disciplines have experienced the impact of live theatre and the ability it has to bring past and current issues and topics to life. Past workshops include:
“Distant Music”: Presented in conjunction with Ragtime: The Musical
-Dealt with socially significant themes from the turn of the century,
among them immigration, racism, sexism, and capitalism.
“The Truman Project”: Presented in conjunction with Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!
-Three-pronged workshops consisting of an introductory workshop
on acting improvisation, an improvisational/role-playing experience,
and a final mock press conference with “President Truman.”
“Far From the Home I Love”: Presented in conjunction with Fiddler on the Roof
-Brief overview of Anti-Semitism with attention to early 1900’s Russia,
themes and storyline of Fiddler on the Roof, and a mock relocation
center activity set in current day surroundings with examples of restrictions
that would be placed on the Jewish Community today
• Afterschool Programming
OCP teaching artists are brought into the afterschool setting in both elementary and middle schools to provide weekly workshops in acting, dance or improvisation. These four to eight week sessions often culminate in a "show and tell" for other students and families.
• Tours and Workshops here at the Playhouse
OCP staff members provide backstage tours to groups of all ages throughout the year, at no cost to the visiting organization. These tours give participants a "behind the scenes" look at what it takes to mount a theatrical production and the various careers that are available in the world of theatre. These tours can also be combined with a workshop topic of your choosing, led by an OCP teaching artist, at a minimal cost.
Many organizations in the Omaha area are doing vital work in arts education. The Omaha Community Playhouse welcomes opportunities to work with you in your endeavors and use our combined resources to raise arts awareness in Omaha. Whether the subject is dinosaurs, dance or Dali, we can help create an educational experience to meet your needs.
For more information regarding the Interact Program, please contact:
Director of Education and Outreach ,(402) 553-4890 ext. 131.