The Community Engagement Council of the Omaha Community Playhouse builds and strengthens a direct, ongoing relationship between OCP and people connected to the theatre. The Council is led by Vincent (VJ) Orduña, Artistic Director.
At its core, this Council is about conversation—real, honest, and ongoing. It’s a space where we can listen, share, challenge, and grow together as we work to ensure that OCP is serving our community in meaningful, inclusive, and accountable ways.
This work grows out of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility—but it’s also about something bigger: making sure our theatre continues to reflect, welcome, and belong to the community it serves.
The Council is in the process of being formed. If you’d like to be part of it, please review the information about the Council, including the Council Charter, and complete our online application.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for 8–12 members of the Council who want to be part of shaping the future of OCP.
We’re especially interested in building a group that reflects a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and relationships to the Playhouse—whether you’ve been involved often, occasionally, or not at all.
The Council will also include the Artistic Director, one additional staff member, and at least one member of the Board of Directors.
Role of Council Members
Share honest feedback about how OCP is showing up for the community
Talk through challenges, concerns, and opportunities from your perspective
Help us think about representation—onstage, backstage, and in the stories we choose to tell
Identify ways we can strengthen relationships across the Omaha theatre community
Offer insight that can help shape our programming, practices, and priorities
This is not about having all the answers—it’s about being part of the conversation.
What the Commitment Looks Like
The Council will meet every other month (about 6 times per year)
Meetings may be in person or virtual
Each term lasts one year
Members are welcome to reapply, but we aim to keep at least half of the Council rotating each year so new voices are always entering the space. Individuals may serve up to three total years.
How the Council Fits Into OCP
This Council is an advisory group connected to the Office of the Artistic Director. It is not a Board committee and does not make final decisions—but your voice will directly inform the people who do.
We are committed to listening, taking what we hear seriously, and being transparent about how that feedback shapes our work.
Community Engagement Council Charter
Purpose of the Council
The Community Engagement Council (the “Council”) is established to foster ongoing, meaningful dialogue between the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) and the broader Omaha performing arts community.
The purpose of the Council is to support OCP’s commitment to be responsive, accountable, and connected to the community it serves by creating a structured space for conversation, feedback, and collaboration. The Council will provide ideas for cultivating a culture of belonging, transparency, and artistic relevance both onstage and off.
The Council’s work will inform leadership decision-making and be reflected, where appropriate, in tangible changes to practices, initiatives, or communication.
The Council builds upon OCP’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) priorities and expands that work into an ongoing, community-centered practice grounded in listening, learning, and action.
Authority of the Council
The Community Engagement Council operates as an advisory body to the Artistic Director and OCP Leadership. The Council does not have governance authority and does not:
Participate in day-to-day operations or management decisions
Have authority over hiring, casting, or production decisions
Have fiduciary authority or responsibility
The Council is convened through the Office of the Artistic Director and functions as an artistic and community-facing leadership committee. While Board representation may be included, the Council is not a committee of the Board of Directors and does not operate under Board governance authority.
Composition
The Council shall consist of:
Eight (8) to twelve (12) members of the Omaha performing arts community, representing a broad range of identities, disciplines, and experiences across performance, creative, and backstage roles
The Artistic Director
One (1) additional OCP staff member, as designated by the Artistic Director
At least one (1) member of the Board of Directors
Council membership should reflect the diversity of the Omaha theatre community and include individuals with varying levels of experience and relationship to OCP. Council membership will prioritize independent community voices and lived experience, including individuals who may not currently work with or regularly engage with OCP.
Terms of Service
Council members shall serve one (1) year terms
Members may reapply for additional terms; however, returning members may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total Council membership in any given year
No individual may serve more than three (3) total years on the Council
These guidelines are intended to balance continuity with the inclusion of new voices and perspectives.
Meetings
The Council shall meet no fewer than once every two (2) months. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed.
Meetings may be held in person or virtually and will be facilitated by the Artistic Director or a designated representative.
Meetings will follow a shared agenda and conclude with clear themes or observations summarized for leadership.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Community Engagement Council include, but are not limited to, the following:
Community Dialogue and Feedback
Serve as a conduit for perspectives, experiences, and feedback from the Omaha theatre community
Engage in open, constructive dialogue with OCP Leadership regarding community needs, concerns, and opportunities
Advisory Input on Inclusion and Representation
Provide insight into how OCP’s programming, casting, and production practices reflect and serve the community
Offer recommendations to support inclusive and equitable practices both onstage and behind the scenes
Organizational Awareness and Accountability
Help identify areas where OCP can grow in its practices, policies, and community relationships
Support OCP’s efforts to remain accountable to its stated values and commitments
Partnership and Relationship Building
Encourage stronger relationships between OCP and the broader arts community
Identify opportunities for collaboration, outreach, and engagement
Support for Artistic Leadership
Provide perspective and feedback that may inform season planning, community initiatives, and audience engagement strategies
Reporting
The Council will provide summary feedback and observations to the will provide summary feedback and observations to Artistic Director and the board member on CEC.
The Artistic Director may share high-level insights from Council discussions with the Executive Leadership and Board of Directors, as appropriate, while maintaining a spirit of trust and openness within the Council. When feasible, OCP Leadership will report back to the Council on how its feedback was considered or applied.
Guiding Values
The work of the Council will be grounded in:
Respectful and open dialogue
A commitment to listening and learning
Shared responsibility for fostering a welcoming and inclusive artistic community
A recognition that meaningful change is ongoing, collaborative, and requires both accountability and care
How to Apply
Would you like to help shape the future of OCP? To be considered for the Community Engagement Council, please complete our online application. All applications must be received by Friday, June 12, 2026.
Interviews will be part of the selection process. Interviews will be determined based on the strength of the application submitted and to ensure broad representation. Those who submit an application but are not selected for an interview will be contacted and are welcome to reapply the following year. The names of those who comprise the Council will be made public.
All questions regarding the Community Engagement Council should be directed to Vincent Orduña, Artistic Director, Omaha Community Playhouse at vorduna@omahaplayhouse.com.
