OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media (CFAM), UNO School of the Arts, and UNO Theatre in partnership with Omaha Public Schools and Omaha South High School will launch a new UNO Summer Musical Theatre Academy on Monday, June 6, 2022.

The new tuition-free summer program for Omaha high school theatre students kicks off with a workshop led by Q Smith, (Broadway: Come from Away, Disney’s Mary Poppins). The Summer Musical Theatre Academy will culminate with a production of Fame The Musical staged by Seattle-based director Vincent J Orduna.

Performances of Fame The Musical will take place on Friday, July 1, at 7:30 P.M. and Saturday, July 2, at 2 P.M. in the Black Box Theatre on UNO’s Dodge Campus and on Sunday, July 3, at 8:30 P.M. at The RiverFront’s new Gene Leahy Mall Performance Pavilion as part of its grand opening weekend.

The production features 46 high school performers and technicians representing 21 Omaha-area schools.

Seattle-based director Vincent J. Orduna will stage this production of Fame The Musical with musical direction by Tyler Gruttemeyer, director of vocal music at Omaha South High School, and choreography by Domanic Brown. The production team for Fame The Musical includes Jason Jamerson, UNO Theatre set designer, as well as Jocelyn Reed, costume designer; Rick Goble, lighting designer; and Bill Kirby, sound designer, all of the Blue Barn Theatre.

Academy students have been building this new production on site at UNO since May under the guidance of veteran set and costume artists Grant Hilgenkamp and Char Willoughby. Students will be involved in all aspects of this production including performance; lighting; sound; hair and makeup; wardrobe; and stage management.

The project has been led by UNO Theatre and is the result of community partnership with Omaha’s education, arts, and philanthropic sectors.

Community partnerships for young people is a major focus of UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA.

“This program is an amazing way to connect Omaha’s artistic youth with professionals,” Li said. “This kind of experience is so important to their development letting the students engage with Omaha’s vibrant arts culture while building a deeper connection with their community.”

 Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Logan, Ph.D., has also brought resources and strong support to the summer program.

“We are proud to offer a wide range of opportunities for students in Omaha Public Schools,” Logan said. “Partnerships like this extend learning beyond the classroom and into the summer, connecting talented artists throughout our community. It is a joy to watch, and the experience instills a lifelong appreciation for the arts in our young people.”

CFAM Dean Michael Hilt sees the summer program connection to long range pursuits.

“For years, middle- and high-school students have enjoyed performing in musical theatre,” Hilt said. “The Omaha metropolitan area is a hotbed for such activity, and it has been a dream at UNO to allow those students to continue those experiences in college. Through the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, we are seeing our vision come to fruition. It is our plan for the Summer Musical Theatre Academy to become an annual showcase for the best young musical theatre performers in our city.”

Omaha South High School has hosted OPS summer musicals since 2016.

Rebecca Noble, arts curriculum specialist for Omaha South High School, has been a major advocate for that program.

“The Summer Musical Theatre Academy is a game-changer for high schoolers in our community who aspire to a career in musical theatre,” Noble said, “Students hone their skills and refine their craft, working with professionals who inspire, educate, and challenge them to be disciplined artists. It raises the bar for these young performers and provides the tools for them to be competitive in college, conservatory, and career paths.”

Nationally recognized conductor Hal France joined the UNO Theatre faculty to build a musical theatre program and serves as director of the new summer program.

“Our goal has been to offer this tuition free,” France said. “We wanted every talented young person in the metro to have equal access. Generous donations from private citizens has helped us achieve this.”

About The RiverFront

The RiverFront is a transformation of 72-acres in downtown Omaha, renovating and interconnecting three previously existing city parks: Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing. The project spans from the Missouri River eastward into the city’s urban core, extending to 13th Street. The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) is managing park construction, activation, and maintenance. The RiverFront will be a highly programmed green space, rich with native plantings and permanent amenities, and is scheduled to reopen (in phases) starting with Gene Leahy Mall this July.

About Fame The Musical

Based on the film and television series of the same name, Fame The Musical follows students at New York’s High School of the Performing Arts through their four years. We see them coming to terms with life and relationships; we see those who persevere, who are resilient - and those who are not.

 Originally conceived by David De Silva, Fame The Musical features a book by Jose Fernandez, lyrics by Jacques Levy and music by Steve Margoshes. This musical also features the Academy Award-winning song “Fame,” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore. Fame The Musical is produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.