Those who know me, know I’ve long been a supporter of the local performing arts scene. I used to review live theater for a living, and I have many friends and family involved in local community theater. Given the success of the Omaha concert calendar I’ve maintained, I’m starting this Omaha theater guide and calendar in hopes that you all can attend more shows if you have enough advanced notice.
If I’ve missed a theater troupe or venue, it’s not intentional. Please let me know in the comments or at Kim (at) ohmyomaha (dot) com, and I’ll get them added to the list!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Calendar of performances
The theater community extends beyond Omaha’s borders, so this list will include performances that are located in other communities in Nebraska and Iowa. Ticketing details and theater information is provided in the section following this theatrical calendar.
Shows in March 2025
- “Stuck With Lemons,” Feb. 13 – March 6, 2025 in partnership with Great Plains Theatre Commons at Shelterbelt Theatre | Tickets
- “Dot,” Feb. 21 – March 23, 2025 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Robinson Crusoe,” Feb. 28, March 1-2 & 7-9, 2025 at Southwest Iowa Theatre Group | Tickets
- “The Old Man and The Old Moon,” March 7-30, 2025 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- The Old Market Magician Presents “Up Close & Magical,” March 8 & 9, 2025 at Mahoney State Park | Details
- Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show, March 8, 15 & 29, 2025 at DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest | Tickets
- “Curtains,”March 13-16 & 20-23, 2025 at Chanticleer Community Theater | Tickets
- “Hollywood, Nebraska,” March 21-30, 2025 at Lofte Community Theatre | Tickets
- “Milo Imagines the World,” March 21 – April 6, 2025 at The Rose | Tickets
- “Some Like It Hot,” March 25-30, 2025 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me,” March 27 – April 19, 2025 at BLUEBARN Theatre | Tickets
- “Beehive: The 60s Musical,” March 28-30, 2025 at The Slowdown | Tickets (on sale Jan. 21)
- “The Sound of Music,” March 28-April 13, 2025 at Bellevue Little Theatre | Tickets
- “By A Thread,” March 29-April 6, 2025 presented by Anastasis Theatre Co. at various locations | Tickets
Shows in April 2025
- “Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition,” April 6 & 7, 2025 presented by Circle Theatre | Tickets
- “Alice in Wonderland,” April 12 & 13, 2025 at Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and April 26 & 27 at Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Alice in Wonderland,” April 17-19 and April 24-27, 2025 at UNO Theatre | Tickets
- “Pete the Cat: The Musical,” April 18 – May 4, 2025 at The Rose | Tickets
- “Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville,” April 18 – May 11, 2025 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Dearly Beloved,” April 25-27 & May 2-4, 2025 at Park Playhouse | Tickets
Shows in May 2025
- “Giulio Cesare,” May 1, 2025 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Ticket To Ride or Heard Her On The Florient Express,” at Florence Community Theater, May 1-3 and May 8-10, 2025 | Tickets
- “Our Town,” May 2-11, 2025 at Lofte Community Theatre | Tickets
- “American Mariachi,” May 2 – June 1, 2025 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
- “Hamilton,” May 7-18, 2025 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- ”Steel Magnolias,” May 8-11 & 15-18, 2025 at Chanticleer Theater | Tickets
- “The Wild Party,” May 22 – June 22, 2025 at BLUEBARN Theatre | Ticket
- “Titanic The Musical,” May 30 – June 29, 2025 at Omaha Community Playhouse | Tickets
Shows in June 2025
- “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” June 5-8, 2025 at Lauritzen Gardens | Tickets
- “Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty,” June 6-22, 2025 at Bellevue Little Theatre | Tickets
- “Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo TYA,” June 6 – 29, 2025 at The Rose | Tickets
- “MJ: The Musical,” June 10-15, 2025 at the Orpheum Theater | Tickets
- “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” June 13-22, 2025 at Wilson Performing Arts Center | Tickets
Shows in July 2025
- “The Play That Goes Wrong,” July 11-13 & 18-20, 2025 at Park Playhouse | Tickets
- “Something Rotten!” July 19-Aug. 3, 2025 at Lofte Community Theatre | Tickets
Shows in August 2025
- “With Love, Whoever,” Aug. 7-10, 2025 at at Florence Community Theater | Tickets
- Omaha Fringe Festival, Aug. 7-10, 2025 at various locations | Tickets
Shows in September 2025
- “The Last Mass at St. Casimir’s,” Sept. 5-14, 2025 at Lofte Community Theatre | Tickets
- “Annie Jr.,” Sept. 11-21, 2025 at Chanticleer Community Theater | Tickets
- “The Outsiders Musical,” Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2025 at Orpheum Theater | Tickets
Shows in October 2025
- “Future Imperfect,” at Florence Community Theater, Oct. 16-19, 2025 | Tickets
- “Rumors,” Oct. 17-26, 2025 at Lofte Community Theatre | Tickets
Directory of Omaha theaters and performance groups
American Midwest Ballet
Location: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa and Orpheum Theater, 809 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: American Midwest Ballet inspires people through dance programs of the highest quality: breathtaking performances, enriching education, and uplifting community engagement. The resident professional dance company, bringing work beyond words to audiences in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond.
Upcoming shows:
- “Alice in Wonderland,” April 12 & 13, 2025 at Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and April 26 & 27 at Orpheum Theater
Arts Center
Location: Iowa Western, 2700 College Road Arts Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
About: The Arts Center presents performances by national touring artists as well as students at Iowa Western. Main stage theater has a capacity of 663 and the black box theater has a capacity of 125.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Bellevue Little Theatre
Location: 203 E. Mission Ave., Bellevue, Neb.
About: The only performing arts center in Sarpy County, Neb., Bellevue Little Theatre‘s season consists of five productions: Two musicals and three plays. Their season runs September and June.
Ticket types: General admission, season tickets
Typical showtimes: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “The Sound of Music,” March 28-April 13, 2025
- “Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty,” June 6-22, 2025
Bennington Community Theatre
About: Founded in 2023, Bennington Community Theatre is driven toward creating and implementing cultural and educational activities for the public benefit by providing theatrical arts opportunities for community participation.
Upcoming Shows:
- TBA
Benson Theatre
Location: 6054 Maple St., Omaha, Neb.
About: Benson Theatre‘s mission is to engage, enhance and enrich the community through educational and artistic experiences. The theater host stage plays, musical concerts, film events, workshops, seminars, networking events, forums, fundraisers, creative performances, receptions, private events and more.
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
BLUEBARN Theatre
Location: 1106 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: BLUEBARN Theatre is a professional contemporary theatre company bringing shows to the Omaha stage that are entertaining as well as thought-provoking. It’s an intimate venue, seating is for 96 people.
Ticket types: General admission, season tickets
Typical showtimes: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 6 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “Appropriate,” Feb. 6 – March 2, 2025
- “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me,” March 27 – April 19, 2025
- “The Wild Party,” May 22 – June 22, 2025
Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co.
Location: No permanent home, various locations in Omaha, Neb.
About: Brigit Saint Brigit has a mission to present “the highest quality, professional theatre, meant to engage, educate and entertain, stimulating both feeling and thought.”
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Chanticleer Theater
Location: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
About: Chanticleer Theater‘s mission is “to provide an educational, entertaining, cultural, and historic experience for the greater Council Bluffs Community through the performing arts.” It recently relocated to the new Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center.
Ticket types: General admission, season tickets
Upcoming shows:
- “Curtains,”March 13-16 & 20-23, 2025
- ”Steel Magnolias,” May 8-11 & 15-18, 2025
- “Annie Jr.,” Sept. 11-21, 2025
- “Meet Me in St. Louis,” Dec. 11-21, 2025
- “Perfect Wedding,” Jan. 16-25, 2026
- “The Diary of Anne Frank,” March 13-22, 2026
- “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!,” May 14-24, 2026
CHI Health Center Omaha
Location: 455 N. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: CHI Health Center Omaha typically hosts large concerts and sporting events, but occasionally, there are large productions and ice shows. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Save on online ticketing fees by purchasing tickets in person at the box office.
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Circle Theatre
Location: Various venues in Omaha, Neb.
About: Circle Theatre‘s mission is to “engage individuals of all abilities in creative opportunities on and off stage.”
Upcoming shows:
- “Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition,” April 6 & 7, 2025
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show
Location: Double Tree by Hilton Omaha Southwest, 3650 S. 72nd St.
About: Performers are dressed just like everyone else, leaving all of the guests to suspect who is a part of the show and who is not. The murder mystery show is paired with a four-course plated dinner. Coffee and tea are included, and there is a cash-only cash bar available as well. Note: Strict age limit of 15 years old, due to mild adult content, loud noises, and swearing.
Ticket type: General admission tickets
Upcoming shows:
- 2025: Jan. 4, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 8, March 15, March 29,
Elkhorn Community Theatre
Location: Elkhorn Valley Community Theater, 101 E. Gardiner St., Valley, Neb.
About: According to the theatre, “Elkhorn Community Theatre was founded on the objective to involve as many members of the community of Elkhorn as possible by participation in committees, by performing, or by attending the productions.”
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Flatware Shakespeare Co.
Location: Based out of Lincoln but performs in various communities
About: The Flatwater Shakespeare Co. is a nonprofit with a mission to entertain and educate audiences in Lincoln and surrounding communities through Shakespeare and other high quality theater productions. Their summer production is designed to tour and is performed in some Omaha locations.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Florentine Community Theater
Location: Florence City Hall, 2864 State St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The Florence Community Theater – home to The Florentine Players – has been staging productions in the Florence area since 1964. Known for the annual melodrama, the nonprofit theater stages four major stage productions per year plus a number of other community entertainment events such as the Annual Battle of the Improv All Stars and Breakfast With Santa.
Ticket types: General admission tickets are $12
Upcoming shows:
- “The 10th Annual Battle of the Improv Stars,” Feb. 6, 2025
- “Ticket To Ride or Heard Her On The Florient Express,” May 1-3 and May 8-10, 2025
- “With Love, Whoever,” Aug. 7-10, 2025
- “Future Imperfect,” Oct. 16-19, 2025
Great Plains Theatre Commons
Location: Various locations
About: The mission of the Great Plains Theatre Commons is to strengthen community by supporting the creation and sharing of diverse new stories.
Ticket types:
Upcoming shows:
- Workshop production of “A Body in the Grass,” Nov. 13 & 14, 2024 at Yates Illuminates | Tickets (FREE)
Grist Mill McCready Theatre
Location: 313 Main St., Macedonia, Iowa
About: Grist Mill Fine Arts Council was formed in 1977 to provide a means to bring the arts to southwest Iowa.
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Lofte Community Theatre
Location: 15841 Manley Road, Manley, Neb.
About: Lofte Community Theatre and Born-In-A-Barn Players are dedicated to providing opportunities for all ages to participate in the creative process and to enjoy the social, artistic, and educational benefits of all art forms.
Upcoming shows:
- “Hollywood, Nebraska,” March 21-30, 2025
- “Our Town,” May 2-11, 2025
- “Something Rotten!” July 19-Aug. 3, 2025
- “The Last Mass at St. Casimir’s,” Sept. 5-14, 2025
- “Rumors,” Oct. 17-26, 2025
- “One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall,” Dec. 6-21, 2025
Mills Masquers
Location: 56543 221st St., Glenwood, Iowa
About: Mills Masquers is a community theater based in Glenwood, Iowa
Typical showtimes: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- TBD
Omaha Community Playhouse
Location: 6915 Cass St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The mission of the Omaha Community Playhouse is to enhance quality of life through live theatre, professional touring, and arts education. The nonprofit is dedicated to enriching the lives of audiences and participants through entertainment, thought-provoking stories and first-hand involvement.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions
Typical showtimes: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 22 – Dec. 22, 2024
- Reading, talkback & Q&A of “Kings, Queens and Unruly Peasants,” Nov. 23, 2024
- “Girls Like Us: A Little Naughty, Mostly Nice!” Dec. 6-22, 2024
- “Waitress,” Jan. 24 – Feb. 16, 2025
- “Dot,” Feb. 21 – March 23, 2025
- “The Old Man and The Old Moon,” March 7-30, 2025
- “Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville,” April 18 – May 11, 2025
- “American Mariachi,” May 2 – June 1, 2025
- “Titanic The Musical,” May 30 – June 29, 2025
Omaha Fringe Festival
Location: UNO Mainstage, UNO 006, Blackstone Theater, Benson Theatre
About: The Omaha Fringe Festival strives to bring the different members of the Omaha theatre community together for one open access and inclusive festival where theatre artists can experiment with new works and audiences can experience new theatrical movements. The 2024 festival will run Aug. 8-11, 2024.
Ticket type: The Fringe Button and All Fringe Pass
- The 2025 festival will run Aug. 7-10, 2025
Omaha Performing Arts’ Broadway Series & Season Specials
Location: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) brings Broadway shows, live music, comedy and more to the Holland Performing Arts Center, Orpheum Theater and Steelhouse Omaha (opening May 12, 2023). The nonprofit also offer a broad range of education and community engagement activities that reach a wide and diverse audience across the state. Ticket Omaha is the official ticket retailer.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions. ** Purchase tickets through TicketOmaha.com, not through third party ticket re-sellers.
Upcoming shows:
- “Hadestown,” March 14-16, 2025
- “Some Like It Hot,” March 25-30, 2025
- “Hamilton,” May 7-18, 2025
- “MJ: The Musical,” June 10-15, 2025
- “The Outsiders Musical,” Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2025
- “The Wiz Broadway,” Nov. 18-23, 2025
- “The Notebook,” Dec. 9-14, 2025
- “Shucked Musical,” Jan. 13-18, 2026
- “A Beautiful Noise Musical: The Neil Diamond Musical,” Feb. 10-15, 2026
- “And Juliet Broadway,” March 3-8, 2026
- “SIX on Broadway,” March 25-29, 2026
- “Mamma Mia!” April 28 – May 3, 2026
- “Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical,” May 12-17, 2026
- “Wicked The Musical,” June 17, 2026 – July 5, 2026
Opera Omaha
Location: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., and other venues as noted
About: Opera Omaha‘s mission is to produce opera performances in multiple formats and styles and co-creating artist-led programs for a variety of community service organizations.
Ticket types: Reserved seats, season subscriptions
Upcoming shows:
- “The Rake’s Progress,” Feb. 7 & 9, 2025
- “Giulio Cesare,” May 1, 2025
- “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” June 5-8, 2025 at Lauritzen Gardens
- “The Barber of Seville,” Oct. 24 & 26, 2025
- “Susannah,” Jan. 30 & Feb. 1, 2026
- “Hercules,” March 13, 2026
- “Bluebeard’s Castle,” April 24 & 25, 2026 with the Omaha Symphony at Holland Performing Arts Center
- “Unshakeable,” June 5-7, 2026 at Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center
Papillion Area Community Theatre
Location: SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, Neb.
About: The Papillion Area Community Theatre aims to produce high quality productions in unique settings, which will enrich the Papillion, La Vista, and surrounding communities.
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Popcorn Productions Melodramas
Location: Kountze Memorial Theatre located inside Mahoney State Park, 28500 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Ticket types: Individual tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children (ages 12 and under); Family Package is $28 (2 Adults, 2 Children). Tickets can be reserved by calling (402) 944-2957.
Typical showtimes: 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (in the summer); 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays (the rest of the year)
Upcoming shows:
- The Old Market Magician Presents “Up Close & Magical,” Nov. 30-March 9, 2025 (performances are Nov. 30; Dec. 1, 28 & 29; Feb. 1 & 2, and March 8 & 9)
Ralston Community Theatre
Location: Ralston Performing Arts Center located inside of Ralston High School, 8969 Park Drive, Ralston, Neb.
About: Ralston Community Theatre is a performing arts organization operating to provide quality entertainment at competitive prices. RCT’s specific intents are to further the Ralston and Greater Omaha community’s involvement in theatre, to provide an extension of the Ralston Public Schools performing arts program, and to foster public relations for the Ralston community.
Typical showtimes: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Rave On Productions
Location: Various venues around Omaha
About: Rave On Productions created the Omaha Series to produce unique theatrical shows in untraditional venues. They also founded the McGuigan Arts Academy for students of all ages to learn about theatre, art and music through hands-on studies with professional teaching artists.
Ticket types: General admission tickets, reserved seats
Upcoming shows:
- “Beehive: The 60s Musical,” March 28-30, 2025 at The Slowdown
The Rose Theater
Location: 2001 Farnam St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The Rose Theater is committed to inspiring young people and their families to discover the magic of theater, to find their voices and to enrich their communities.
Ticket types: General admission tickets, premium show tickets with reserved seats, subscriptions (includes four tickets to each of the six member shows)
Typical showtimes: Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays at 2 p.m. (but not always)
Upcoming shows:
- “Secret Kindness Agents,” Jan. 17 – Feb. 2, 2025
- “Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical,” Feb. 14 – March 2, 2025
- “Milo Imagines the World,” March 21 – April 6, 2025
- “Pete the Cat: The Musical,” April 18 – May 4, 2025
- “Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo TYA,” June 6 – 29, 2025
Shelterberlt Theatre
Location: 4383 Nicholas St., Suite 204, Omaha, Neb.
About: The theatre’s mission is “to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which to focus the development of original work and to provide for the practical education of writers, performing artists, creative and technical staff, and the general public in the art and science of moving an idea from the mind to the stage.” They work to develop, workshop and produce new works by local and regional playwrights.
Ticket types: Three tiers of tickets: Patron (suggested $25 for regular shows, $35 for musicals); Pay What You Can; and Pay It Forward (Add some additional funds to help keep theater accessible to all)
Showtimes: Thursday and Friday performances are at 7 p.m., Saturday performances are at 2 p.m., and Sunday performances are at 6 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “Stuck With Lemons,” Feb. 13 – March 6, 2025 in partnership with Great Plains Theatre Commons
SNAP! Productions
Location: Ghost Light Theatre, 2221 Thurston Circle, Bellevue, Neb.
About: Originally founded to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, SNAP! Productions has grown to become a respected institution in the city’s cultural landscape. Their mission is to produce thought-provoking, socially relevant theater that challenges both performers and the audience. In 2023, they rebranded as Ghost Light Theatre, home of SNAP! Productions.
Ticket types: Individual tickets
Upcoming shows:
- “Misery,” Feb. 7-23, 2025
Southwest Iowa Theatre Group
Location: Park Playhouse, 604 Sportsman Park Road, Shenandoah, Iowa
About: The mission at the Southwest Iowa Theatre Group is to continue the tradition of producing quality amateur theatrical productions, and to promote all of the arts for the entertainment, education, and development of patrons and participants.
Ticket types: Individual tickets, season tickets
Typical showtimes: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming shows:
- “Robinson Crusoe,” Feb. 28, March 1-2 & 7-9, 2025
- “Dearly Beloved,” April 25-27 & May 2-4, 2025
- “The Play That Goes Wrong,” July 11-13 & 18-20, 2025
UNO Theatre
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6505 University Drive S., Omaha, Neb.
About: At the UNO Theatre, all productions involve both University of Nebraska at Omaha students and others from the greater metropolitan Omaha area. The theater deliver performances live on stage, as well as on different virtual platforms including video and streaming video on demand.
Ticket type: Individual tickets (students receive free tickets)
Upcoming shows:
- “New Ways, New Works: A celebration of Arts and Performance,” Feb. 20-23 and Feb. 27-March 2, 2025
- “Alice in Wonderland,” April 17-19 and April 24-27, 2025
The Union For Contemporary Art
Location: 2423 N. 24th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The Union for Contemporary Art strengthens the cultural and social landscape of the community by using the arts as a vehicle to inspire positive social change. The Union uses the term “social change” as a broad umbrella to encompass a range of social and civic outcomes from increased awareness and understanding, to attitudinal change and increased civic participation.
Recognizing that change on the individual level is directly linked to the building of public will and the development of policy that corrects injustice, The Union embraces the opportunity to foster social change every day through programs, partnerships, and commitment to North Omaha.
Upcoming shows:
- TBA
Voices in Alliance
Location: Flixx, 1019 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
About: The mission of Voices in Alliance (VIA) Theatre Company is to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride through inspiring, inclusive, diverse, provocative, and complex stories that explore both the ordinary and extraordinary of the queer experience.
Upcoming shows:
- “Scissoring,” April 3-13, 2025 Flixx Show Bar
- “Charm,” Aug. 14-24, 2025
- “Mothers and Sons,” Nov. 6-16, 2025 at Shelterbelt Theatre
Wilson Performing Arts Center
Location: 300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak, Iowa
Upcoming shows:
- “An Evening With Carol Burnett,” Jan. 24-26, 2025
- “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” June 13-22, 2025
Omaha and the surrounding areas offer a diverse range of theater experiences for both locals and visitors. From large-scale productions in renowned venues to intimate performances in community theaters, there is no shortage of opportunities to experience the magic of live theater. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, dramas, comedies, or experimental theater, you’re sure to find something that speaks to you.