Platte River Bard Podcast

We are basking in the after-glow of The Marriage of Figaro, and the best part is there's even more opera-goodness coming in Opera Omaha's 2023-24 Season!  We spoke with Lauren Medici, Director of Engagement Programs and Kurt Howard, Producing Director at Opera Omaha.  We have the line up of everything they have in store for us, so don't miss this amazing behind-the-scenes chat with Kurt and Lauren...

We talk with Seth Fox, Curator and Laura Kelly, Storyteller of Musing: A Storytelling Series at the Bluebarn Theatre on April 19th. The Storytelling Series has been a fantastic success and we always love to hear about the process of pitching an idea and creating a personal story into an interesting and meaningful piece. This event is free, and all seats have been reserved, however, there may be so...

What a lovely conversation with two talented Creatives, Ellen Struve and Amy Lane, PhD.  You'll hear their incredible friendship and collaboration on Ellen's staged reading of Old Bat.  This play is co-produced by Benson Theatre and the Great Play Theatre Commons PlayFest and is a free staged reading on March 23rd and 24th at the Benson Theatre.  This staged reading has been reimagined into a diff...

The excitement is brewing!  Opera Omaha is ending this season with The Marriage of Figaro, and we had a lovely conversation with Michael Adams and Mary Feminear, who play the Count and the Countess in this beloved opera.  Mary and Michael are married in real life as well as their characters onstage, and it made for a great interview.  Our conversation was cut short because of technical problems, a...

We are back with all of the March theatre events and news that we could find in the area to share with you.   We also have some special music from Blixt, from their production "Puddin' and the Grumble" so please join us to find out all of the projects talented Creatives are bringing to our area! ****** HOW TO LISTEN TO THE PLATTE RIVER BARD PODCAST Listen at https://platteriverbard.podbean.com  or...

We talk with Mackenzie Zielke, Director of Into the Woods which opens March 10th at the Chanticleer Community Theater at the Pottawattamie Arts and Cultural Entertainment Center.  Mackenzie talks with us about her extensive musical and teaching background, her commitment to inclusive casting, and her experience with this specific show which has guided her to Direct this legendary musical that incl...

Emily A. Rollie Ph. D., Director of Men on Boats at UNO Theatre talks about this history reimagined production made up of non-binary and female cast members!  In addition, we learned about her other role as an Intimacy Choreographer, which is timely and a newer concept to the theatre stage.  Dr. Rollie also serves as an Educator and Faculty Member of the Washington Central State University theatre...

After a little bit of a needed rest, we are back with all of the theatre events and news we could find in the area to share with you.   Please join us! ****** HOW TO LISTEN TO THE PLATTE RIVER BARD PODCAST Listen at https://platteriverbard.podbean.com  or anywhere you get your podcasts. We are on Apple, Google, Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Podbean, Overcast, Listen Now, Castbox and anywhere you...

Angels Theatre Company in Lincoln, NE is bringing us a World Premiere of the play written by Jennifer Blackmer, based on the story of scientist Dr. Meg Crane.  Dr. Crane invented the home pregnancy test and revolutionized healthcare for women for decades to come.  In addition, on January 5th, 2023 there will be a community discussion at First Plymouth Congregational Church that is a free event, ho...

Holiday Lites is a collaboration between Benson Theatre and Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company.  If you haven't heard what it's about, our discussion with Jason Levering, Benson Theatre's Programming Director, and Murphy Wulfgang, Executive Director of Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co., will give you a few exciting glimpses of this unique, inclusive, and festive show!  This is a locally written and...

What's Happening in local theatre in December 2022?  We have it here for you - plus - a little bit of news - a little bit of corny chat - and also FREE tickets to “The Cemetery Club” at Chanticleer CommunityTheatre at PACE December 9th - 11th, 2022! Go to:  https://ci.ovationtix.com/35635/production/1125075?promo=PODCAST Use Promo Code:  PODCAST **** A Christmas Carol - A podcast brought to you by...

Experience sisterhood, friendship, joy, and hilarity with Chanticleer Theater's production of "The Cemetery Club" which opens at the Hoff Family and Arts Culture Center at PACE December 2nd.  We talked with a some of the talented cast:  Phyllis Cremonini, Connie Lee, and Heather Wilhelm as well as their Stage Manager Riley Pope, and Director Joey Hartshorn about this endearing play.  This producti...

We always look forward to talking with Fran Sillau, the talented and accomplished Executive Artistic Director of Circle Theatre.  This is Circle's 39th Season, and their first show of their season, "Stronger Than Strong!  Great American Tall Tale Heroines", will be held NOVEMBER 19th at 7PM and NOVEMBER 20th at 2PM at the Jewish Community Center.  This play is written by local playwright, Brian Gu...

We talked with Ron Zank, Ph. D., Director and Associate Professor of UNO Theatre, and Chloe Beltrand, the Actor who plays Little Red Riding Hood in their upcoming production, Into The Woods.  Production dates are NOVEMBER 17, 19-20, & DECEMBER 1-4, 2022.  We had an enjoyable conversation about this popular and fun musical written by James Lapine with music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondh...

Jillian Carter returns to Directing and Playwriting at OmniArts Nebraska in their new 2022-2023 season.  We talk with Jillian and Dustin Witte, co-founder of OmniArts Nebraska, and Managing Artistic Director about their upcoming shows and events!  The next show is Hunter Gatherers that opens November 2nd.  The next shows are Marjorie Prime and Happy Birthday Lily!.  Plus OmniArts Nebraska has two...

Chanticleer Community Theater at the Hoff Center at PACE present a staged reading of "Love Is ?" by Playwright Edie Goodwin.   Chanticleer is committing to helping local playwrights present their work and receive feedback and this is the first in their new series! We talk to Mrs. Goodwin and the Director of this reading, Lori Lynn Ahrends.  Register now to attend on October 28 - the "Hoff Fourth F...

Getting it right is always important to us, and in this particular instance we took a bit more time to make sure we brought you the right podcast with all the right things.  Finally, we were able to meet Lauren Medici, Director of Engagement Programs, live and in-person after doing two years of podcasts remotely. And we had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Joy Pearson, Director of Belonging and Incl...

We open Season 4 with two incredible female entrepreneurs, Becky Boesen and Petra Wahlqvist have built the Blixt Storefront Theater!  Blixt brings the performing arts to not just the Lincoln area, but all across the state.  Petra and Becky are innovative and making their dream a reality by bringing the performing arts to kids and adults alike.  Don't miss this fun conversation about everything Bli...

It's always great to talk to young actors - and their Director!  Join us for this lively interview of Aladdin Jr. with the main cast:  June Gentry, Korbin Horton and Gabe Russell, along with their Director, Denise Putman.  Denise is the President of the Chanticleer Advisory Committee and also serves on the PACE Board (Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment).  Aladdin Jr. opens September 15t...

Join us for a fun and interesting conversation about how this new play came together! Local playwright, Brigid Amos premieres her new play, Dove, with the Angels Theatre Company.  We also talk with Director of Dove, Jamie Bullins, who is also the Associate Professor of Theatre for the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, and we talk with Timothy Scholl, the Executive Artistic Director of the...

We have been wanting to talk to the Omaha Mobile Stage for quite some time and are really happy to bring this episode to you.  The Omaha Mobile Stage revives the Good Fellows Show Wagon and their Youth Auditions and Youth Shows - plus much more!  We speak with Founder and Executive Director Jessica Scheuerman with Partners for Liveable Omaha, and local talent and Event Manager for the September 18...

We talk with Troy Gagner, Executive Director of the Lincoln Arts Council, and Dr. Genna-Styles-Lyas, Director of AEP6 Community Engagement & Equity with the Americans for the Arts (AFTA).  They are launching the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) Survey.  This survey will be held all around the nation with 387 participating communities - and Lincoln is one of them!  Find out all about it here a...

Part 2 of our discussion with Dylan Rohde, founder and owner of The Backline and also the founder of Omaha Comedy Fest , which is being held this weekend. We talk to Dylan about some of the highlights of his career (so far!), training in LA at the Upright Citizens Brigade and iO West. And we discuss what The Backline has to offer by way of shows and classes. Plus, we also discuss his animated seri...

Jamie Ulmer, Managing Artistic Director of the Community Players in Beatrice, Nebraska is always such a pleasure to talk with!  They have a fun season lined up for us.  If you've never been to Community Players, you will want to make a plan to do so because you will always find quality productions, welcoming doors and really well-done theatre!  Hear Jamie talk about not just their shows for this 2...

Season 2 is going to be packed full this month! Since we took a little time off, we have been hitting the streets, so to speak.  Today we talk with Jamie Ulmer, from the Beatrice Community Players In Beatrice, Nebraska. Jamie Is the Managing Artistic Director, and talks with us about their upcoming Gage County Ghost Walk, October 9th and 10th, and also their upcoming monologue play, Murderers runn...