It’s a new season of Broadway and shows at O-pa — and also a new season of learning and engagement! Our Education and Engagement team members have been busy sharing their expertise at the Broadway League’s national (and first ever virtual) Education and Engagement forum and presenting the first Education programming of the season.
Broadway League Education and Engagement Forum
The two-day forum was planned by a national committee that included Kathleen Lawler Hustead, Associate Director of Education. Among the sessions was one that featured EDI-driven arts engagement programs with Aaron Gregory, O-pa Community Engagement Specialist, and Ray Mercer, Omaha native and Broadway teaching artist. Another session with Bill Grennan, O-pa Education & Engagement Manager, featured innovative arts education and engagement programs and highlighted O-pa’s Disney Musicals in Schools Take Home Activity Kits as a model program used by other centers. The forum was spearheaded by the Broadway League’s Audience Engagement Committee which O-pa President Joan Squires co-chairs.
Madeleine Peyroux Q&A and Curtain Warmer
On Sept. 29, UNO jazz students had the opportunity for a Q&A with acclaimed jazz artist Madeleine Peyroux. It was an intimate, direct conversation in the Kiewit Concert Hall at the Holland Center. The group gathered, socially distanced, to discuss topics from Madeleine’s career to the technical aspects of jazz singing and more. Afterwards the students were invited to stay and observe her sound check. A number of UNO Jazz students were also offered free tickets to the show and had a great time.
All concert goers had the chance to engage with a pre-show curtain warmer before the concert, consisting of a performance and conversation about women in music with Mary O’Keefe and guests Cynthia Taylor and Jennifer Novak-Haar.
Curtain warmers are a way for patrons to feed their curiosity and learn something new before select O-pa shows. They include demonstrations, interactive performances and hands on learning in the lobby and other spaces before showtime.
The next curtain warmer will be UNL’s all treble a cappella group Boots & Cats performing at the Orpheum before Straight No Chaser takes the stage!
Fun and Learning with CATS!
The first Nebraska High School Theater Academy (NHSTA) master class of the year took place on Sept. 30 at the Holland Center. Nearly 100 students attended the digital choreography class led by Dance Captain and Swing of CATS, Gracie Anderson.
