We learned so much in our meeting this week as we heard from Matthew Gutschick, the Artistic Director of the Omaha Theater Company. Matt is an award-winning writer/director. Since his time at the Rose he has continued the development of classes and productions for PreK audiences and has overseen the expansion of their commitment to outreach in the community. He is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf, a member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab, he also holds a BA from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama.
You might think the Rose theater is just a children’s theater but if you heard this presentation you would have learned there is more going on there than you imagined. The Rose has programs focused on gang violence, teen pregnancy and youth incarceration.
Founded in 1949 the Rose has 12 full time Artistic company members, a 4-million-dollar budget and several hourly, full time and contracted professionals (of which I am one). The Rose is a 910-seat venue that was a former vaudeville performing center and later a movie palace. Any one as old as me able to remember that? Code: Astro
The Every Single Child Program they hold serves 36000 children with a 360-theater education experience from PreK to 6th grade. All Title 1 schools where the majority of students are on free or reduced lunch participate free of charge. The Family Audiences total reach is 125000 distinct individuals. Their membership program removes cost as a barrier to attending. The education program has more than 9000 students participating annually.
It is important to the mission of the Rose to be accessible to all children. They showcase sensory friendly performances at each mainstage production for children needing that. There is also ASL interpretation for the deaf and hard of hearing. They were one of the first American companies to develop a professional play specifically for students with Autism. The Rose has more than 40 years of experience producing world premiere adaptations of children’ literature. Working with world class artists with credentials that encompass Tony Award winning designers to nationally recognized directors from Shakespeare Festivals to Netflix they are able to expose their local talent to a higher level of professionalism in the artistic realm.
They are currently in the process of refurbishing the old Gordmans building on 120th and Center into a 27000 space to accommodate the expansion of their camps and classes. The musical theater class has 400 students and the creative drama after school classes and camps have 1600 students. Obviously, the need and desire for our community is to keep our children in the arts!
Thank you so much to Matthew for coming to Rotary and explaining all the great things the Rose is doing! Enjoy the weekend, I hear there may be sunshine!
-Camille |
