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Education

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

FALL SESSION ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! WINTER ENROLLMENT OPENS OCTOBER 13!

Welcome to the Shirlee & Henry Fonda Theatre Academy, the educational wing of the Omaha Community Playhouse. Here at SHFTA, our mission is to cultivate creativity and personal growth through theatre education and performance by offering theatrical opportunities for every age & experience level.

The Omaha Community Playhouse is committed to providing a full range of educational and outreach opportunities to expose more of our community to the arts, foster creativity & personal growth, and develop theatre artists & technicians of all ages.

  • OCP’s Shirlee & Henry Fonda Theatre Academy (SHFTA) offers on-site classes, workshops, and camps year-round for youth and adults of all skill levels. CLASSES FOR YOUTH | CLASSES FOR ADULTS 
  • Off-site SHFTA programming is offered in schools, after-school programs, and through community partnerships with organizations like the Ronald McDonald House, Down Syndrome Alliance Midwest, Completely Kids, Omaha Mobile Stage, & Partners for Livable Omaha
  • OCP’s Theatre Technology Apprenticeship Program (TTAP) provides hands-on training in backstage, technical aspects of theatre in partnership with Metro Community College
  • Our Summer Internship provides paid opportunities to late high school & early college students through our Shirlee & Henry Fonda Theatre Academy
  • The OCP Directing Fellowship aims to develop early-to-mid-career directors while expanding Omaha’s director pool
  • OCP’s Corporate Improv Program offers professional development opportunities to Omaha’s businesses & corporations highlighting public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
  • OCP’s Immersive Theatre Program partners with local schools bringing students right into the action of a show in our season
  • OCP offers a variety of community engagement opportunities that explore the themes surrounding our season productions, including post-show talkbacks, panel discussions, collaborations with corporate and nonprofit community partners, and more
  • In the effort to make theatre education & experiences accessible to all, OCP offers SCHOLARSHIPS for both youth & adult students interested in classes, workshops, and camps

Interested in any of our programs? Email our Director of Education for more information and assistance | shfta@omahaplayhouse.com

ABOUT OUR CLASSES & TEACHING ARTISTS

At the Shirlee & Henry Fonda Theatre Academy, we want our students to have the best experience possible. We understand that every individual is unique and in a different part of their performing arts journey. This is why all of our classes are created to enrich both beginners & intermediate artists and why we say, “all experience levels are welcome!”

We are committed to engaging every participant right where they are.

  • All youth classes at SHFTA follow a curriculum created by our Director of Education. The curriculum ensures that every week is full of learning & fun while leaving room for each of our teaching artists to add in their own talents and expertise
  • We monitor class sizes to allow more personalized lessons and ensure optimal participation opportunities for students
  • While some classes are very popular and fill up quickly, we make space for every student and find a class for them that fits their needs
  • We are always adding classes based on community feedback and interest
  • All of our youth classes perform in our Final Showcase or in their final class of the session. They want to show off their hard work!
  • Our pick & drop off procedures ensure that students get the most time possible inside their classroom
  • Our teaching artists must go through an interview process, background check, & onboarding process before teaching a class at SHFTA
  • All of our teaching artists are educators, performers, and professionals in their fields
  • In the effort to make theatre education & experiences accessible to all, OCP offers SCHOLARSHIPS for students interested in classes, workshops, and camps

Interested in any of our programs? Email our Director of Education for more information and assistance | shfta@omahaplayhouse.com