The Nebraska High School Theater Academy supports, celebrates, and advocates for theater education in middle and high schools across the state. It was launched in 2013 with just 22 schools in the Omaha area. Now in its eleventh year, the program supports more than 85 schools and 9,000 students each year. Developed by O-pa's education team in partnership with the Broadway League's national Jimmy Awards, this comprehensive education program opens doors for Nebraska teachers and students, provides practical and equitable pathways to careers in the arts, builds life skills, and fosters a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Developed in partnership with the Broadway League's national Jimmy Awards
Throughout the school year, participating schools can attend master classes and workshops with touring Broadway artists. Schools have access to professional feedback and recommendations on their theater productions and have the opportunity to participate in a Tony Awards®-inspired showcase at the end of the year. In collaboration with the Broadway League's national Jimmy Awards®, two students will be selected as finalists to represent Nebraska in New York City.
Ultimately, the Nebraska High School Theater Academy supports professional development for educators, provides recognition for the value of arts education, and creates a network of support and resources for students — no matter what career path they take.
Students at their Broadway workshop at the Holland Center
Theater students at Millard West High School brought Disney’s FROZEN the musical to life in early November.
Director Brooke Phillips won the rights to the show in a nationwide contest called "The United States of Frozen." One school from every state in America won the rights to the musical, the requirement being showing that "love is an open door" through inclusive casting. Both theater students with a wide range of disabilities in the Alternate Curriculum Program (ACP) and advanced theater students starred in lead roles in the Millard West production.
Millard West High production of FROZEN. Photo by Makayla Potter Photography
The experience of performing was itself “mind-blowing,” but these students had an extra special journey into the spotlight. When Omaha Performing Arts presented the touring Broadway production of FROZEN last April, cast members held a musical theater workshop with the Millard West students at the Holland Center. It was an opportunity to learn from professional performers as part of O-pa’s education program the Nebraska High School Theater Academy.
O-pa also provided a Nebraska High School Theater Academy adjudication for their show to give the students professional feedback. The director shared just how impactful this resource was: “I have to just say THANK YOU…The adjudicators did SUCH a nice job of building up the ACP actors and giving them little nudges about how they could continue to improve. It brought tears to my eyes to read about them noticing the acting choices and the little things these kids were doing well… What an amazing community of theatre artists we have here in Nebraska.”
It's learning experiences like these that fuel our mission at O-pa to enrich the community through education and community engagement programs.
Millard West High production of FROZEN. Photo by Makayla Potter Photography
The Nebraska High School Theater Academy supports, celebrates and advocates for theater education. High school and middle schools across the state and surrounding areas can register for the program and get access to workshops and master classes, audition and performance opportunities, professional feedback and more. Learn more at o-pa.org/nhsta.
