Platte River Bard Podcast

Talk about a great time of year to see The Mel Brooks Adult Young Frankenstein!    Bellevue Little Theatre is kicking off this sensational fall production with a Costume Party on Friday the 13th (of course!), that ends with wine and cheese that will leave you with an electrically charged great time.  We had a lively discussion with the Director of this production, Todd Uhrmacher, and we discuss th...

We have a short chat with the Director and cast of VIA Omaha's Production of "Plot Points in Our Sexual Development" that opens August 15-25th.  Meredith Melville, MFA, came to Nebraska as a visiting Director from Texas to direct this play.  The play only has two cast members, which are Asia Nared and Arson Starkloff-Crane who have created sparks on-stage.  "Plot Points in Our Sexual Development"...

It's Directors Roundtable in Lincoln! We talk with Timothy W. Scholl, Executive Artistic Director of Angels Theatre Company, Morrie Enders with the Lincoln Community Playhouse, and Jamie Bullins, who is a longtime Director, Associate Professor of Theatre at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL, and also part of the Staff of the Angels Theatre Company's Playwriting Collective.  We lo...

The Mills Masquers Summer Musical is here!  Opening August 2nd and running until August 11th, there will be much harmonizing, dancing and comedy! We talked with Don Torbett, Music Director; Adam Clayton, Associate Director; Don Vinkenberg, Choreographer; and Connor Edick, who is the Actor who plays Spongebob Squarepants.  This is a musical for everyone, kids and adults alike!  You won't want to mi...

We are happy once again to discuss the Omaha Fringe Festival 2024 ! This will be the 5th year of the festival and Omaha is so lucky to have one. If you aren't familiar with the history of the Fringe Festival, it began as a festival in Edinburgh Scotland in 1947. Since then it has expanded to over 100 cities all over the world. Join us for our conversation with Lara and Tamar about the 20 shows tha...

Clay Farris Naff is a recently accomplished playwright who is debuting his new play The Cleanup Lady.   Clay is an author, and has been an award winning journalist, a correspondent for the United Press International in Tokyo, a freelance reporter for National Public Radio, Newsweek, Huffington Post, Earth Magazine, The Humanist, and Scientific American, just to name a few.  He has been a science-a...

We talked with Jay Hayden and Grace Grennan about their upcoming production A Midsummers Nights Dream. Old School Shakespeare is known for their One Rehearsal model as they share Shakespeare in non-traditional locations in a wildly fun way!  Hear all about where they will be so you can catch them.  Omaha is lucky to have a group of seasoned actors who are ready to show you just how fun Shakespeare...

Opera Omaha is always a pleasure to visit, and their 2024-2025 season promises more Opera to Go, Opera in Conversation, Opera Outdoors, Poetry in Music and so much more.  Plus they will have three productions in their season, with an additional family friendly opera that we will let Allison Swenson, General Manager and Katrina Thurman, DIrector of Artistic Administration tell you all about what’s...

You've probably seen it - either the Table Grace Cafe at 1611-1/2 Farnam Street, or even something online for Table Grace The Musical.  But what are they?  Well, it's both of those things - and yet, so much more!  We sit down with Simone Weber, CEO and Musical Missionary with Table Grace and find out "What is this musical?"  "Why is it at three venues?" "What is the Table Grace Cafe?".  Simone is...

BVT's 57th Season has arrived!  And if you haven't ever heard of Brownville Village Theatre before you are in for a treat.  And if you have heard of them, you're still in for a treat!  BVT is always a-buzz with activity and rightfully so.  They produce five full shows during the Summer.  Beginning in July you can see all five in one weekend if you want to, or pace yourself and see the two June pro...

We talk with a few of the young actors in this musical, Shemar "Mar" Toussaint, McKenna Cottone, and Nick Knipe.   They are the young stars of "Heathers The Muscial" at SNAP! Productions which opens June 7th.  Productions will run until June 23rd with one Industry Night (pay what you can) on June 17th.  Our guests are having a blast and working hard at their roles in this play.  For those who have...

Today on our podcast, we're thrilled to have the accomplished and talented Chris Scott, Director of "Barefoot in the Park" at Bellevue Little Theatre, joining us for a chat about this timeless Neil Simon classic play. "Barefoot in the Park" is a Neil Simon masterpiece known for its perfect blend of comedy and heartfelt moments. Chris Scott talks with us about some of the behind-the-scenes details...

Today on our podcast, we're diving into the exciting world of Rave On Productions with Kimberly Faith Hickman, Artistic and Education Director. Get ready to hear about all the buzz surrounding their summer lineup!   First up, after wowing audiences in Omaha, Rave On Productions is bringing their Omaha Series production, The Awesome 80's Prom to the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 7th a...

We were lucky to catch three of the seven women in BLUEBARN's production of "POTUS" or "Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive".  This production, Directed by Susan Clement, opened May 23rd and will be showing every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until June 23rd!  We talk about how their first weekend went and what to expect for the rest of the run! "POTUS" was...

We had a fun visit with Rachel Robbins, Producer, Director, Actor, and Theatre Educator of Popcorn Productions, LLC's Melodramas and her team of actors:  Ian Cullin, Samantha Desh, Shade Ingraham, Elizabeth Maack, and Collette Williams.  We also spoke to their Lighting and Sound Designer, Zach Wasserman, as well as one of the youngest ensemble members, Weston. Melodramas just opened their three ne...

Our first Directors Roundtable begins with two talented and charismatic  Professors of Theatre:  Jamie Bullins from UNL and Ron Zank from UNO!  Their expertise and contribution to local theatre made them wonderful guests of our Directors Roundtable.   We are so excited to bring you this podcast.  We have been working toward this idea for quite some time.  There will definitely be more Roundtable d...

We sat down with Director Todd Brooks,  Stage Manager Krista Freimuth, and Actor Adam Fulbright to talk about Chanticleer's upcoming production "A Chorus Line."  This is a cohesive cast who are working hard but having the time of their lives, which of course, is everything community theatre should be.  This is going to be a fun production, with a live orchestra, much dancing and singing with all t...

We had the distinct pleasure of meeting Thom Davis, Dramaturg and Vice President of the Board of Directors for Voices in Alliance (VIA Omaha).  VIA Omaha produced “The Inheritance Part 1” in October 2023 during their first season, and now are able to begin their 2nd Season with “The Inheritance Part 2.” It's important to note that you can still easily see “The Inheritance Part 2” without seeing "P...

The 2024 Spring Platte River Art Show at Mahoney State Park is "The Most Prestigious Art Show on the River!"  You’ll find this seasonal event at the Peter Kiewitt Lodge in the upper level, May 4th and 5th.  It's free to attend and you will find regional artists with many different kinds of art mediums.  Enjoy the day out at the state park as well. We chat briefly with Nia Karmann, Owner and Photog...

Today our episode is with an Omaha theatre legendary favorite, the talented Dick Mueller.  This is one of those podcasts you simply won't want to miss if you love theatre in Nebraska.  The Firehouse Dinner Theatre, founded and produced by Dick Mueller was a Old Market staple.  Mr. Mueller opened the Firehouse Dinner Theatre May 12th 1972.  Back in its day, the Firehouse was one of the best of equi...

Is an egg is as close to Jesus as a person can get?  We had a "sunny-side-up of a time" with Director Kaitlyn Rudeen, and Actors Julie Fitzgerald Ryan and Sarah Dighans while talking about their upcoming production:  5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche, which opens April 5th at SNAP! Productions Omaha at Ghost Light Theatre in Bellevue. This is a zany comedy you won't want to miss with a spontaneous and wh...

The Theatre Arts Guild Omaha (TAG) has been around for over 50 years, but through a series of events, including the pandemic, TAG is in jeopardy of dissolving.  We talk with Dylan Peck, current President of TAG, and discuss what might happen to the organization going forward.  Dylan has been keeping the organization going in hopes it will be able to continue and grow and offer more scholarships fo...

Join us for a lovely conversation with Quinn Corbin, Manager of the Great Plains Theatre Commons.  GPTC has been known for many years for their annual Conference and Playwrighting Festival, but did you know they also have Season Productions?   Quinn tells us about all of their programs, and how GPTC supports local and national playwrights and shares about their unique theatre model that provides f...

What a pleasure to talk to Don Keelan-White and BevVan Phillips, who are in the dramatic and memorable production On Golden Pond at Chanticleer Community Theater at PACE (Pottawattamie Arts Culture & Entertainment) at the Hoff Fmily Arts and Culture Center in Council Bluffs.   These two lovely Creatives have such a great perspective of their roles in this meaningful play.  Find out how they ca...

The Omaha Fringe Festival is gearing up for 2024, and to kick it off, they had an in-person lottery draw of 20 Artists plus 6 Alternate Artists on Saturday, March 3rd.  We joined them prior to the lottery, and were able to talk separately with Nic Jansen, President of the Board, and Lara Marsh, former Board Member and current Artistic Director.  Fringe will be held August 8th through 11th, and the...