Education

Directing Fellowship

We are placing a temporary HOLD on this program, in an attempt to continue to navigate the vast amount of material that could be placed in a program such as our OCP Directing Fellowship. We recognize the importance of this program but are wanting to give it more attention at a later time with a potential reimagining AND release for application in Spring 2026! We encourage you to consider registering for the Directing 101 (fall) and 102 (spring) education courses being offered here at OCP as a beginning course of action. Course registration opens July 1st. We are looking forward to seeing you back at the Playhouse!

Stage Directing Fellowship

To support the development of directors in Omaha, the Omaha Community Playhouse is pleased to offer the OCP Directing Fellowship. This fellowship aims to provide early and mid-career directors with the training and knowledge necessary to develop essential directorial skills for creating theatre. Fellows will gain hands-on experience at Omaha’s leading community-based theatre and education organization. They will work in collaboration with the OCP Artistic Team and will ultimately help shape the theatrical landscape of Omaha. Directing Fellows are selected by the OCP Artistic Team and will serve as assistant directors or assistant director-choreographers for a production in the assigned season. A Fellow’s schedule and responsibilities may vary significantly based on their personal strengths, their specific assignment, and the needs of the production.

Mission Statement

The mission of the OCP Directing Fellowship Program is to develop, support and encourage qualified community members in the art and practice of directing for the theatre. Our goal is to grow and diversify the Omaha directing pool in a way that we hope will benefit the entire theatre community.

Directing Fellows

Season 100
Directing Fellows

Jersey Boys – Peyton D. Banks
Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches – Carina E. DuMarce
Dot – Giovanni Rivera
The Old Man and The Old Moon – Brendan Brown
Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville – Brittney Thompson
American Mariachi – Darlyn Izabel Gonzalez
Titanic The Musical – Adam Bassing

What does a Directing Fellow do?

OCP Directing Fellows will participate in the following activities:

Production:
Each Directing Fellow will serve as either an assistant director or an assistant director-choreographer for one of our season’s productions, working closely with that production’s director. Fellows will be involved in the design process, auditions, casting, production meetings, and all rehearsals leading up to tech week and opening night.

*Please note that all selected Fellows will not be allowed to audition for their assigned production.

Roundtable Events:
Fellows will participate in Roundtable Events throughout the season, which include discussions, workshops, and presentations from guest speakers. The topics, workshops, and speakers will be chosen to align with the goals and expectations of each Fellowship class. Guest speakers may include designers, playwrights, choreographers, music directors, dramaturgs, and composers, among others. Possible topics of interest may include intimacy choreography, consent-based practices, script analysis, auditions, collaboration with designers, working effectively with actors, scheduling rehearsals, and creating a healthy rehearsal environment. Please note that reading or viewing assignments may be required for each roundtable discussion, and the schedule will be arranged based on the availability of the participants.

Mock Production & Directing Showcase:
All Fellows will participate in a directing showcase at the end of the fellowship season. They will be responsible for casting and rehearsing a scene from a published play and will also work on the selected play throughout the season. This includes participating in a mock production process that involves research, pre-production, design kick-off, and script analysis. Fellows must be able to articulate their vision or concept for each piece clearly. The play will be selected in consultation with the Fellowship Coordinator.

The program aims to create a true fellowship where a group of individuals with a common goal can learn from one another. Directing Fellows will receive a stipend of $500 for their participation in the season. Additionally, each Fellow will receive a complimentary ticket to preview night for all season productions, excluding special events.