CommUNITY Connections, The Rose Theater’s outreach program, makes theater activities available to Omaha-area children and families who have not traditionally had access to the theater arts. We believe that theater can be a critical component in the development of young people. Thanks to our generous supporters, CommUNITY Connections programming is offered free or at reduced rates to organizational and individual participants.

CommUNITY Connections is an ongoing project that was started to give young people a voice and a creative outlet to express themselves through theater arts.

It examines complex issues that are affecting young people in the Omaha metropolitan area, and its goal is to make a difference in the way youth in underserved communities view their opportunities in life; and to build self-esteem, discipline, high self-expectations, and community involvement.

CommUNITY Connections partners with local youth organizations that strive to create cultural equity in Omaha. We work with youth of all ages, to  explore the five key principles of performing arts while creating and performing scenes and plays to encourage young people to stand up and speak out on challenges confronting their communities. In the process, students learn how important motivation, self-discipline, collaboration, and communication are in achieving goals.

CommUNITY Connections began in 2015 with the idea of the “transforming pain into power” theater-for-social-change programming model started by nationally known performer, activist, and writer Daniel Beaty. The original project led by Daniel examined the effects of gang violence in our community, and led many participants to say that they felt they were being heard for the first time. Subsequent projects examined the issues of teen pregnancy, mass youth incarceration, the foster care system, and DACA.

Each project included a series of workshops with Daniel and those directly affected by the selected issue; creation and performance of a play based upon the workshop stories; and a documentary by noted Omaha videographer Mele Mason that premiered at Film Streams combining workshop footage and interviews from participants and other stakeholders.

The Rose continues to grow and expand upon the model and foundation laid by Daniel, and use theater to shed light on social issues, call people to action, and celebrate our strengths as a community.

See below for a summary of projects, along with links of the performances and videos:

I Dream of an Omaha Where…

Changed: Teen Pregnancy in Nebraska

In The Middle of No Where: The Voices of Incarcerated Youth

We Are DREAMers

HOME: A Documentary About the Foster Care System

Bring The Rose to your organization, or bring a group to The Rose, for a fun and interactive experience that will bring the magic of the performing arts to the young people in your community.

At The Rose Theater, we believe everyone deserves the chance to experience the magic of theater! Through our CommUNITY Connections program, we offer opportunities including:

• ROSE FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS

• ROSE FAMILY NIGHTS

• PAY WHAT YOU CAN 

Come take a class at The Rose! The Rose offers full and partial scholarships to qualifying students for programs including acting technique classes, creative drama, musical theater intensives, technical theater, year-long and summer camps. Whether you like to shine on or off-stage, we’ve got a class for you.

Click here to learn more about taking a class or camp as well as scholarships at The Rose.

Teens ‘N’ Theater provides teens opportunities to roll up their sleeves and get active in the world of theater. The Rose produces several teens-only shows each season, where participants are given opportunities to act, direct, write, and design.

Teens ‘N’ Theater also helps instill strong, positive self-esteem, commitment and responsibility in young people through role modeling, all while helping them develop skills in performance, playwriting, directing and technical support.

Students perform fresh, thought-provoking work at The Rose’s Hitchcock Theater, including productions by the Livin’ in Color (focusing on issues of racial equality) and The Pride Players (LGBTQ+ issues).

There is no cost to participate in Teens ‘N’ Theater, and the program is open to all interested students ages 13-18.

Click here to see information about all of our Teen ‘N’ Theater programs.

Lil’ Rosies introduces and connects young people ages 2-4 and their families through dramatic play, storytelling and creation.

Click here for more information about Lil’ Rosies.