The Nebraska Theatre Caravan

The Caravan is a constant work in progress; from its inception, it has been evolving into new and exciting forms, meeting the artistic and educational needs of local, regional, and national audiences.  From the middle of the country, thousands of miles from the heralded squares of art and culture, erupts a revered tradition: the Nebraska Theatre Caravan. And erupt it does; in the fall of the year for its regional tour throughout Nebraska and neighboring states; again in early winter for the nationally acclaimed tours of A Christmas Carol, and intermittently throughout the year with special tours and exciting projects.  It is both an honor and a privilege to serve our communities and we look forward to being with you for decades to come.

History

The Nebraska Theatre Caravan was founded in 1975 as a joint project between the Omaha Community Playhouse and the Nebraska Arts Council “to bring together a small group of professional performer-teachers for workshops in Omaha and out-state.”  The original 12-week program soon became a full time program touring to Greater Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming, and in its second season was playing to 45,000 people in 37 communities.

            In 1979 the Caravan started touring the Charles Jones adaptation of A Christmas Carol nationally with one company touring the Midwest. Three years later in 1982 another company was added to tour the East Coast and a third to tour the West Coast in 1987.

Since its inception the Nebraska Theatre Caravan has produced 90 fully mounted productions, many of which were new works, and has played to 160 Nebraska communities and numerous others across the nation. The national tour of A Christmas Carol has performed in over 600 cities in 49 states and 4 Canadian provinces.