OMAHA, Neb., (Jan. 16, 2025) – Omaha Community Playhouse, one of the largest non-profit community theatres in the nation, announces the appointment of Vincent (VJ) Orduña as Artistic Director, effective early May 2025.
A passionate advocate for the arts with deep family roots in Omaha, Orduña brings vast experience across multiple areas of theater to this key leadership role. He will be responsible for programming and season planning; cultivating and maintaining relationships with artists; oversight of all artistic staff; and contributing to the long-range vision of Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP).
A graduate of Omaha’s Central High School, Orduña earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Midland Lutheran College. During that time, he made his OCP debut as the Scarecrow in its production of “The Wiz”. He went on to complete post-graduate work at the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City.
“Throughout my professional journey, from New York to Seattle, I’ve maintained that Omaha fosters some of the most talented individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure to see perform. OCP is a space where that talent flourishes and grows,” said Orduña. “As the Playhouse steps into its next century, I am eager to contribute to the mission of creating transformative art, inspiring and training emerging talent, and uniting our community through storytelling. It is good to be home.”
Orduña’s professional journey has taken him across the country, including directing for the New York Board of Education’s SPARK program, which serves high school students; serving as Cultural Arts Coordinator, Acting Instructor, Director, and Summer Teen Musical Director at Carco Theatre in Renton, Washington; and working as Theatre Manager and Technical Director at the Mountlake Terrace Performing Arts Center in Lynnwood, Washington.
For the past three summers, he has directed productions at the UNO Summer Musical Theater Academy, including “Fame,” “Footloose,” and “Legally Blonde”. His additional directing credits span a variety of iconic shows, including “Rent,” “Pippin,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Next to Normal,” “Steel Magnolias,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Sweeney Todd.”
“We are thrilled to welcome VJ to the OCP team as our new Artistic Director. His remarkable body of work speaks for itself, and his ability to connect with diverse audiences—across age groups and experience levels—is truly exceptional,” said Rebecca Noble, Executive Director, Omaha Community Playhouse. “With expertise spanning youth and adult education, producing, directing, acting, arts management, and community engagement, VJ brings a wealth of experience to this role. We are excited to have him return to Omaha and look forward to the vision and energy he will bring as we embark on our second century of theatrical excellence.”
Notifications
English
Spanish