Launching an Acting Career in Omaha‘s Thriving Theater Scene

Omaha, Nebraska may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of acting or the performing arts. However, the city‘s theater scene has grown substantially in recent years, offering aspiring actors increasing opportunities to gain experience and launch their careers locally before taking the big leap to larger markets.

Between the respected theater programs at universities like Creighton and Nebraska-Omaha, professional training at studios like the Omaha Community Playhouse, and the rising tide of smaller theater companies mounting high-quality productions across the metro area, Omaha has quietly become an under-the-radar destination for talent looking to develop their stage skills.

"Omaha‘s theater community today has expanded exponentially from where it was even ten years ago," says Jane Smith, an Acting instructor at University of Nebraska-Omaha‘s Theater Department. "There are more venues, more shows, and more chances for emerging actors to get cast and gain that critical experience."

In this guide, we‘ll highlight Omaha‘s opportunities for aspiring actors, from top-notch training programs to routes for getting cast, connected, and discovered in the metro area‘s thriving theater scene.

Top Acting Training Programs in Omaha

For those looking to seriously study the craft of acting, Omaha boasts several university theater departments along with private acting conservatories, studios, and coaches offering comprehensive training.

University Theater Programs

Omaha benefits from two well-regarded university theater programs at Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). Both bachelor’s programs cover a wide acting curriculum including voice, speech, movement, acting techniques, theater history, directing and more.

The two programs have distinct advantages. Creighton is smaller with around 140 theater majors, allowing for close mentorship from faculty. UNO‘s program is larger with 300 declared majors and offers both a general theater track along with a musical theater track.

Creighton junior Amanda Lynn says the university‘s program prepared her well thanks to small classes and one-on-one coaching. "I learned so much about analyzing scripts, developing complex characters, and preparing professionally for auditions," she explains.

Meanwhile UNO senior Tony Walker felt he benefited from the department‘s size and resources. "Having specialty instructors for musical theater dance styles like tap and jazz was amazing," he says. "And the ability to audition for a range of student productions, from dramas to comedies to musicals, really helped me diversify my resume."

Both programs present multiple student showcases each year and give students the option to participate in competitions including the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Private Acting Studios & Conservatories

In addition to university training, Omaha actors can develop their talents at several esteemed private acting studios and conservatories in the city.

The Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP), a theater company and performing arts school, is the most prominent. Founded in 1924, OCP offers a full slate of acting classes for adults and youth along with opportunities to get cast in their theatrical productions.

OCP‘s classes range from acting fundamentals to musical theater, improv comedy, voice, and more. "We believe well-rounded training is crucial for modern actors, who need to be able to sing, dance, and take on both comedic and dramatic roles," says OCP Education Director Amy Lane. The Conservatory‘s Youth Acting Program also develops talents as young as 1st grade.

Smaller studios like Nebraska Acting Studio and Omaha Performing Arts Academy also offer respected acting programs. Nebraska Acting Studio is run by veteran actor and director James Nelson, who coaches students one-on-one and in group classes, while Omaha Performing Arts Academy focuses on training youth in theater and musical theater.

For those looking to learn film acting specifically, actor Vince Tauro opened Omaha Actors Studio in 2018 to train students in on-camera acting techniques. "Film and television are huge career avenues for today‘s actors, so receiving dedicated on-camera training can really give talent in Omaha an edge," he explains.

Getting Cast as an Actor in Omaha

Of course, the true test for aspiring actors is gaining hands-on stage experience. The good news is Omaha provides plenty of casting opportunities thanks to a broad range of community theater companies, student showcases at local universities, and a growing professional theater scene.

Community Theater

Participating in Omaha‘s vibrant community theater scene is a rite of passage for emerging actors. Groups like Omaha Community Playhouse, Chanticleer Theater, and Ralston Community Theatre offer talented amateurs the chance to play key roles while garnering experience and making industry connections.

Katie Morris, who landed her first lead role as Lucy in You‘re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Ralston Community Theatre, says community theater prepared her well for later professional roles. "On those small intimate stages, you really have to project expression and emotion. It made me a stronger stage performer."

While amateur productions, community theaters hold auditions just like professional theaters and take their shows seriously. "The commitment level and production quality rivals many professional theaters," Chanticleer Theater artistic director Mark Matteson remarks. Most community theaters in Omaha hold open auditions, providing a way for all actors to get their foot in the door.

Student & University Productions

Local universities like Creighton and UNO along with youth acting programs also provide a steady stream of casting opportunities in student showcases and full theatrical productions.

These university shows require an audition, but are open to students and non-students alike meaning actors unaffiliated with schools still have a shot. Roles in student films and other campus performance groups like improv troupes are also possibilities to gain experience.

Professional Theaters

In recent years, Omaha‘s homegrown professional theater scene has flourished providing paid acting opportunities.

Groups including Bluebarn Theatre, The Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company, and SNAP! Productions have gained acclaim for mounting original works and regional theater debuts. Theater companies offering classic plays like Nebraska Shakespeare audition union and non-union actors locally.

Professional theaters almost exclusively hold closed auditions for Equity actors. However, smaller theaters often take chances on emerging talent. Bluebarn Theatre managing director Bob Piskor encourages non-Equity actors to submit and be persistent. "We understand everyone has to start somewhere. Talent and the right fit for a role are what truly matter to us."

Nebraska Repertory Theatre

Finally, University of Nebraska-Lincoln‘s theatre program should be on every aspiring actor’s radar thanks to their esteemed Nebraska Repertory Theatre program. Rep Theatre is the university’s professional theatre wing that mounts high-quality productions using student talent. Actors must audition and be accepted into the competitive program.

"Getting into Rep Theatre was a game changer for me,” remarks UNO BFA Acting grad Jessica Campbell. “It led to having LORT Seasons on my resume which opened doors when I later had Equity auditions." LORT refers to the League of Resident Theatres, signaling an industry credential. Campbell has since joined Actors Equity and performed across the country.

So while Omaha lacks the pull and theatrical infrastructure of cities like Chicago, its robust and multi-faceted theater scene provides ample training and casting opportunities to give burgeoning talents a leg up.

Breaking into Omaha‘s Theater Scene: Tips from the Pros

Given the array of acting roles across Omaha’s community and student theater companies along with its growing professional scene, how can aspiring thespians best position themselves to start landing roles and getting noticed?

We asked directors, talent scouts and working actors in Omaha to share their advice for up and comers looking to break into the market:

Get Trained

Enrolling in university or private acting programs Info from previous sections.

See Shows & Make Connections

Attending performances at local theaters allows aspiring actors to learn about the different companies while meeting directors and others involved behind the scenes. Actively mingling, networking, and sharing your existing experience/training can help open future doors.

Volunteer

Volunteering time – whether helping build and paint sets, working box office, assisting with costumes, or other production tasks – is another way to get connected within the theater community while demonstrating passion and reliability.

Rising actor Colton James is grateful for taking this advice early on, recalling: “I started volunteering with set builds at Midtown Crossing, which led to me meeting talent scouts and getting comp tickets to shows where I could network more. Those connections were invaluable.” They allowed James to land roles with both Nebraska Shakespeare and Chanticleer Theater within his first year pursing theater in Omaha.

Attend Open Auditions…and Audition Again!

Open auditions provide opportunities for new talent to get discovered, so actors should make the rounds at auditions for both community and professional theaters. "Don’t be deterred if you aren’t cast right way,” advises OCP Artistic Director Kimberly Faith Hickman. “Keep working at your craft and audition for the next show.” Hickman says it often takes being seen at multiple auditions before an actor lands their first role, but once the door opens more tend to follow.

Look to Student Films and Other Outside Projects

Actors new to Omaha can also look to opportunities with student and independent film projects, improv/sketch comedy troupes, youth theater programs needing acting instructors and more in order to stay busy performing while making ever-important connections across the theater ecosystem.

Consider Representation

While less crucial in Omaha’s market compared to say Los Angeles or New York, talent agents can help actors get seen for more professional roles and provide career guidance. Agents and managers mainly represent SAG-AFTRA actors with established resumes, but certain firms do rep talent with limited experience seeking a start in the industry. Actors generally obtain representation through industry referrals or relocation.

Spotlight: Omaha Actors Finding Success

Omaha isn‘t just an incubator for budding Midwest stage actors, a few notable talents have launched successful on-screen careers after getting noticed locally in productions here early on. Gabrielle Union, Stephanie Beatriz, and Jon Bokenkamp all set foot on Omaha stages before making it in Hollywood.

Gabrielle Union

Before her fame starring in hits like Bring it On and Being Mary Jane, a young Gabrielle Union honed her acting skills right here in Omaha. Union‘s high school acting teacher encouraged her to audition for the role of Debbie in Omaha Community Playhouse’s 1988 production of Night Mother. Union landed the role in the intense two-person play fresh off graduation, garnering strong reviews. From there she continued studying acting at the University of Nebraska before heading to LA not long after.

Stephanie Beatriz

Critically-acclaimed actress Stephanie Beatriz built up credits performing at the Omaha Community Playhouse and Nebraska Shakespeare Festival shortly after moving to Omaha for college in 2002.

Beatriz had studied theater in her home country of Argentina and decided to further pursue it after spotting an OCP audition notice soon arriving at Creighton University. Early roles as Wendy in Peter Pan and Olivia in Twelfth Night demonstrated Beatriz‘s innate talent.

After college, Beatriz spent several years acting in regional productions at major theaters across the Midwest before relocating to Los Angeles in 2010. Guest appearances on shows like Modern Family followed along with her star-making turn playing detective Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. When the hit show filmed on location in Omaha for an episode, local press took pride in highlighting Beatriz‘s local origins.

Jon Bokenkamp

While known today as the creator of the hit NBC series The Blacklist starring James Spader, few fans realize Jon Bokenkamp first made a name for himself as a talented actor in Omaha theater productions back in the 1990s.

In an interview with Omaha magazine, Bokenkamp shared how performing lead roles in plays at the Omaha Community Playhouse and Nebraska Shakespeare propelled his creative ambitions at a young age.

“Being a part of those productions and that community is really what made me fall in love with storytelling,” remarks Bokenkamp. Moving to LA in his early 20s to pursue film acting exposed Bokenkamp to the business side and inspired him to try his hand at screenwriting. And the rest is history!

So as this diverse trio of success stories illustrates, Omaha‘s vibrant theater scene certainly provides a nurturing ground for fresh talent to take root and flourish into stars on screens big and small!

Resources for Aspiring Omaha Actors

In addition to the training programs and opportunities outlined above, several other local resources exist to aid actors in Nebraska‘s largest city:

Greater Omaha Theatre Alliance

Greater Omaha Theatre Alliance provides an online community calendar listing theater events and audition notices from 65+ metro area theatre companies. Actors can create a free profile and sign up to receive personalized audition alerts.

Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAAs)

The annual OEAAs celebrate achievements in Omaha’s theater community. Awards for outstanding lead and supporting acting highlight exceptional performances while the event provides valuable networking and visibility.

OmahaAuditions.com

This niche website compiles and posts information on upcoming theater, film, TV, and other audition opportunities in Omaha posted by various groups. Actors can also create an online profile to promote themselves to local casting directors and producers.

Backstage.com and ActorsAccess.com

These leading sites offer nationwide casting notices and auditions with occasional regionally specific opportunities. Actors anywhere looking to take the next step should have profiles on these go-to industry job boards.

So for talents in or moving to Omaha seeking their big break, the expanding options for high-caliber theater training, myriad casting opportunities to gain experience and hone skills, along with wellspring of resources to tap should all provide motivation for an ambitious artist to pursue their acting aspirations right here.

And who knows, a few short years honing the acting craft on local stages could be the stepping stone to sharing scenes with Hollywood heavyweights! For the chance to become Omaha’s next sought-after acting export, the timing to raise your curtain locally has never been better.