Education at Omaha Community Playhouse

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Greetings from our Education Wing

Hello! I’m Brandon Box-Higdem, the Associate Artistic Director at the Omaha Community Playhouse. My theatre career spans 40 years both onstage and behind the scenes and I would not be here today if I had not experienced the power of education in the arts at an early age. My very first production was in 6th grade, playing Daddy Warbucks in a production of Annie, skull cap and all. I was hooked!

Theatre is far more than performance—it is a dynamic form of learning that nurtures creativity, empathy, collaboration, and confidence.

Be you age 8 or somewhere on the timeline you would rather not mention, theatre equips students with critical skills that extend far beyond the stage. Growth in all artistic endeavors is SO GOOD for the heart and soul. You just have to take that first step.

Theatre education offers students, of any age, the opportunity to:

Develop Communication Skills: Through acting, improvisation, and storytelling, students learn to articulate thoughts clearly, listen actively, and express ideas with confidence—skills essential in every field and every stage of life
Foster Empathy and Understanding: By stepping into diverse characters and stories, one gains insight into perspectives and experiences different from their own, promoting compassion and global awareness. Couldn’t everybody use some of this these days?
Encourage Teamwork and Collaboration: Theatre is inherently collaborative. Students learn the value of working as a cohesive unit, respecting each person’s role, and building something greater together. They find a place where they can belong to something bigger than themselves.
Cultivate Creativity and Innovation: Whether designing sets, writing scripts, or interpreting scenes, students learn to think imaginatively and take creative risks—abilities crucial in today’s problem-solving world.
Build Resilience and Self-Confidence: From auditions to live performances, theatre challenges students, old and young alike, to face their fears, handle feedback constructively, and grow through experience. Learning to put yourself out there and give yourself grace is a huge part of growth during the process. The result is a stronger, more self-assured individual.

At OCP, we believe that theatre is not an “extra” but an essential part of a well-rounded education. We believe that learning about self-expression and finding your voice is just as important as deciding what “X” is in an algebraic equation or where “Promethium” falls on the Periodic Table of Elements.

We hope you will consider joining us by taking a class from our full range of offerings and keep coming back for more. You will not be disappointed. We can help you reach your full potential—both on stage and off. Hope to see you soon!

Warmly,

Brandon Box-Higdem