Jim Othuse joined the staff of the Omaha Playhouse in 1974 and has served as Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer and Department Head since that time.  Jim has designed nearly four hundred shows for the Playhouse and many special events in the community.

Throughout the late nineteen fifties and early sixties, summer stock in the New England area cemented his dedication to the theatre arts and laid the groundwork for his skills.  After studying at Emerson College in Boston, Jim moved to New York in 1965 to study with renowned Broadway scenic designer Lester Polakov at his Studio and Forum of Stage Design.  Shortly thereafter, he served as assistant designer and designer for Theatre Under the Stars in Atlanta and scenic artist for the repertory company at Theatre Atlanta.  In 1968, at the invitation of Charles Jones, Artistic Director of the historic Springer Opera House in Columbus Georgia, he joined the staff there as Scenic and Lighting Designer where he remained until his move to the Midwest.
 
In Omaha, Jim has designed the annual Ak Sar Ben Coronation and Ball since 1979 and has created sets and lighting for corporate conventions and private functions as well as numerous sets for the Nebraska Theatre Caravan including its popular touring productions of A Christmas Carol.

Recently, Jim designed the set for the Beatles’ musical concert show Yesterday and Today (a.k.a. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! ) presented at The Little Theatre in the Square in Sullivan, Illinois, The Jefferson Performing Arts Society in New Orleans and the Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, Connecticut.

For Rave On Productions, Jim has designed the set and lighting for Rave On! A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Holly, scheduled for a national tour starting in the summer of 2008.