Mission Statement
The Nebraska Communities Playhouse is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional communities' playhouse and theater, located in Hickman Nebraska, that was established by people from and immediately serves the communities of Hickman, Roca, Firth, Panama, Cortland, Princeton, Holland, Cheney, Hallam, Spague and Martell. Because of the playhouse’s close proximity to south Lincoln (six miles or less than 12 minutes by car) it also supports this rapidly growing area. The playhouse's purpose is to enhance the quality of life in its supported southeast Nebraska communities by providing quality theatrical and other performing arts experiences to the communities' residents and others living in Nebraska and across the country. The playhouse provides for the training and education of actors, actresses, directors and others involved in live theatrical productions and provides an opportunity for them to demonstrate and improve their skills by participating in live, on-stage productions.
Description
The Nebraska Communities Playhouse and its supporting production company, The Stage Theater, was established in a 1920’s era lumberyard and hardware store in downtown Hickman. Work began in 2013 to convert the building into the existing playhouse, and it was completed in August 2013, with its first 'sold-out’ show, Little Women, opening on September 26, 2013.
Beginning in the summer of 2014, the playhouse established and conducted its first Youth Theater Academy for youth interested in live theater and the performing arts. This academy continues annually, with the program culminating in live theatrical productions, often written and directed by the youth attending the academy. The academy training and education are free, which greatly benefits the supported communities’ low- to moderate- income youth. It also supports other charitable activities, organizations, fund-raisers, and other similar activities.
Since opening in 2013, the playhouse has completed 31 major live community theater productions and sold over 34,000 tickets to its over 400 performances. Attendees to the playhouse have come from 68 Nebraska counties, 29 States, 2 territories, and 19 foreign countries.
The playhouse has a Facebook approval of 5.0 out of 5.0, the highest of any community theater in the State. Best Things Nebraska recently rated the Nebraska Communities Playhouse and its sister production company, The Stage Theater, in the top five of the best live community theaters in Nebraska.
