BlueBarn Theatre prepares for new home
OMAHA, Neb. —Hundreds of local charities await Wednesday's start of Omaha Gives, a 24-hour online fundraiser. BlueBarn Theatre is one of the nonprofit organizations taking part in the event.
Video: BlueBarn Theatre prepares for new home
The theatre has been around since the late 1980s.
"We do contemporary, eclectic new works," said Susan Clement-Toberer, the producing artistic director at BlueBarn Theatre.
New York-trained actors journeyed to Omaha in hopes of sharing their love of theater.
"We are the only professional adult theatre in Omaha," Clement-Toberer said.
After 26 seasons of moving from rental space to rental space, the theatre is finally settling at the corner of 10th and Pacific streets.
"It's really great because you're near the Old Market, but there's more parking, easier access," Clement-Toberer said.
Construction is almost complete, and the outdoor space will transform into outdoor seating.
"I'll be able to see people outside, then this side is our fixed seating," Clement-Toberer said.
Not only does the theatre provide art for the community, the new building is made of it, with 40,000 pieces of wood lining the theatre. Each one is hand-cut by staff. Decorative wood-fired brick will greet guests at the main entrance.
"We don't think you have to spend above your means to create good art," Clement-Toberer said.
Good art is what keeps the theatre alive.
"This space is bigger than our rental space, but it's still conducive to the intimate off-Broadway style theater we do," Clement-Toberer said.
