Back to our

roots
Serving Nebraska since 1986
Why do we need live theatre?

• Builds community
• Expands world view
• Creates a shared space
• Free performances welcome everyone
• Unique experience
• Adds to local economy
• Offers volunteer opportunities
Why is Shakespeare relevant?

• Audiences who see plays better

understand them
• 91% of US high schools teach his plays
• Themes are timeless
• Theatre improves literacy
Nebraska Shakespeare’s mission

Nebraska Shakespeare’s vision

is to find ways to make
Shakespeare a part of our
society beyond the literature How far that little candle
and drama classrooms and, for throws his beams!
this reason, we provide –The Merchant of Venice
opportunities for continued
interaction and learning about
the Bard that are both free and
accessible to a diverse audience.
 Who are we?

Structure of • Independent 501(c) • Board of directors

Nebraska (3) non-profit is over 25
Shakespeare educational theatre. members strong.
• Founded as joint • A small staff
venture between performs outreach
members of and operations
Creighton year-round.
University and
University of
Nebraska-Omaha.

“The earth has music for those

who listen.”
What is Nebraska Shakespeare?

Nebraska Shakespeare produces shows

and events year-round with:
• On The Green annual performances
• Nebraska Shakespeare On Tour
• Other community events
Shakespeare On The Green

• Patrons from Nebraska and

surrounding states enjoy our annual
performances On The Green.
• Two shows performed in Elmwood
Park each summer since 1987.
• One of the oldest outdoor Shakespeare
festivals in the Midwest.
 • 550,000 people have • Attending On The
Our roots attended a free Green is a family
are deep at performance. tradition.
Shakespear • 40% travel from • Average annual
outside Douglas attendance is
e On The county. 40,000 people.
Green • 18% visit from other
states.
A sense of community

• On The Green is a gathering of diverse

audiences.
• A community is created each night in
Omaha’s Elmwood Park.
• Guests may stay between six and seven
hours per show.
Nebraska Shakespeare On Tour

• Every fall, we tour performances into

local classrooms and communities.
• Tour began in 2005.
• We offer live performance, study
guides, and interactions with the cast.
 • Only performance • Now serving 60-
Growing art organization in plus schools and
Nebraska the state that stages communities.
an annual tour to
Shakespear schools.
• Reach 10,000
individual
e On Tour • Tour expanded students.
from six to eight • Performs in both
weeks. Nebraska and
Southwest Iowa.
 We provide study guides that include:

Classroom • Talking points • Vocabulary guide

outreach for • Plot summaries • Famous quotes
Nebraska • Historical • Suggestions for
Shakespeare performances classroom
on Tour • Relationship charts expansion
• Music performed in • Questions for
the play post-show
discussion
Other programs from Nebraska Shakespeare

• Camp Shakespeare: Students can

attend a two-week summer camp.
• Anne Dittrick Sonnet Writing Contest:
A free writing contest.
• Staged Readings of lesser known
works.
It takes a community to stage a show

• Annual cost is approximately

$400,000.
• Employ both national and local
talent.
• Funding covers wide budget from
actors to building materials for the
stage.
How is • Corporate • Annual giving
partnerships • Individual
Nebraska • Public grants memberships
Shakespeare • Private grants • Planned giving
funded? • Concession sales
• Free-will
donations
How to support Nebraska Shakespeare

Sponsors receive unique marketing

opportunities to showcase their
support of the arts in our
community.

Sponsorships range from $5,000 to

$100,000, with benefits customized
to meet the needs of your corporate
giving philosophy and business
goals
 Platinum
Membership levels
Gold ($5,000+)
• Reserved tent
($1,000+) party
• Meet the cast • Meet the cast
Silver •
• Additional chair Additional
($500+) seating chair seating
• Reserved • Reserved • Reserved
Bronze parking parking parking
($250+) • Tour VIP • Tour VIP • Tour VIP
• Shuttle • Shuttle • Shuttle • Shuttle
transportation transportation transportation transportation
Green • Reserved chair • Reserved chair • Reserved chair • Reserved chair
($100+) seating seating seating seating
• Groundling • Groundling • Groundling • Groundling • Groundling
seating seating seating seating seating
• Name • Name • Name • Name • Name
recognition in recognition in recognition in recognition in recognition in
the program the program the program and the program and the program
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