Voices AMPLIFIED! finale: Omaha’s Forgotten Century

24TH ST

Omaha’s

FORGOTTEN CENTURY

June 25, 2022 | 7:30 PM | Orpheum Theater

If stories aren’t shared, it’s like they never happened.

Omaha’s Forgotten Century tells the story of Omaha’s Black and Latino heritage through the eyes of young Ernie and his Grandpa Apa. Ernie has been tasked with creating a play about his family’s history, and there’s no one who tells stories like his Apa. Apa even tells the parts most grown-ups don’t…or won’t.

Omaha’s Forgotten Century is the finale performance of Omaha Performing Arts’ (O-pa) 21/22 Voices AMPLIFIED! season.

The original dance/theater production was commissioned by O-pa and brought to life by a team of community members.

The actors are from Omaha, and the dancers are based in New York.

o-pa.org/vamp

Creative Team

Ray Mercer Creative Director & Choreographer An Omaha native, Broadway actor, dancer and choreographer in his 17th year as a dancer and fight captain in Disney’s The Lion King

Kathy Tyree Director Award-winning Omaha director and performer, the owner and operator of Kathy Tyree Productions and Director of Inclusion & Community Engagement at the Omaha Community Playhouse

Peggy Jones Scriptwriter Associate Professor at UNO and past Interim Chairperson of the Black Studies Department, and a member of the Graduate and Women’s and Gender Studies faculty and the Nebraska Humanities Council Speakers Bureau

Hugo Zamorano Designer & Visual Artist An Omaha muralist and educator leading the set design of Omaha’s Forgotten Century

Jade Rogers Creative Consultant Historian, educator at Metropolitan Community College and UNO and the Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of The House of Afros, Capes, & Curls

Linda Garcia Creative Consultant Local artist and co-founder of Mexican American Society of the Midlands

Jose Garcia Creative Consultant Local artist and co-founder of Mexican American Society of the Midlands

Andy Cassano Producer & Creative Consultant O-pa Vice President of Programming and Education

Aaron Gregory Creative Consultant O-pa Community Engagement Specialist, dancer and choreographer

Artists D. Kevin Williams as APA

D. Kevin Williams has been developing his professional and instructional craft in the dramatic arts for over 35 years.

His performance credits range from local and regional commercial appearances at 12 years old, to performing radio and television voice overs. Most notably is the Emmy nominated animated children’s series Liberty’s Kids, the Nebraska and North Carolina Shakespeare Festivals and the film For Love of Amy. He has also toured with the National Broadway Company of The Color Purple.

Featured Dancers

Shay Bland

Andrew Bryant

Clarricia Golden

Olivier Medus

Artie Shaw as ERNIE

Artie Shaw attends Omaha Central High School and started acting in church at Salem Baptist Church in Easter and Christmas productions. He has participated in school plays and musicals at The Rose Theater. He has played Malchus, an Angel, and Peter for his church, Commedia dell’ Arte in The Actor Games, Bert in Good News, Hansel in A Princess with No Name, Joel March in A Family Reunion to Die For, Jimmy Biggs in The Battle of Boat, the Boss in 7 Ways to Say I Love You, and Eric in Matilda: The Musical.

Tatiana Nuñez

Alrick Thomas

James Vessell

Terri Wright

2022/2023 Season

sabores de la cultura latina Celebrating the Many Flavors of Latino Culture

Voices AMPLIFIED! is a thematic series that elevates artists from diverse cultures and celebrates their work through live music, dance, spoken word and visual arts. Join us for the 22/23 Voices AMPLIFIED! season. All events are free and open to all.

FREE EVENTS

(times and locations to be announced)

Salsa and Jazz: A Mixing of Musical Flavors

Evita: La revolucionaria

October 13, 2022

Learn about the life of the influential Doña Perón and how her story is told by Ballet Hispánico.

Panel discussion on the influence of salsa and the musical traditions of Latin America.

February 3, 2023

La Fuerza de la moda: The Power of Fashion

Transformando la comunidad con arte urbano

November 2022

March 2023

Omaha Fashion Arts Collective showcases some of the best local Latino talent in the Fashion industry.

Learn how Latino artists are helping to transform their communities through often underestimated art forms.

La cocina de Abuela: Abuela’s Kitchen

Music: A Cuban Export

December 11, 2022

This panel discussion will uncover the history and impact of Cuban music, featuring the music and musicians of the Chucho Valdéz Quartet.

No More Empty Pots leads another delicious do-it-yourself cooking demonstration.

April 2023

Rhymes and Reason Vol. 2: ¡Levantate!

Una celebración del sur de O

January 2023

A day-long music and arts celebration of the global village of South Omaha cultures. In partnership with Canopy South.

Panel discussion on the Latino influence on hip hop culture featuring local hip hop artists.

June 24, 2023

21/22 Echoes A continuation of our work from previous seasons

Terence Blanchard: Breaking Boundaries

Jeté: Black Boy Joy

September 9, 2023

A panel discussion on the positive image created by Black male choreographers and dancers.

An inspirational Q&A with the prolific jazz musician and the first African American composer to be staged by the Metropolitan Opera.

May 4, 2023

Sign up for updates at o-pa.org/vamp

Oct. 14, 2022 | 7:30 PM Holland Music Club

Terence Blanchard

Ballet Hispánico: Doña Perón

Feb. 4, 2023 | 7:30 PM Orpheum Theater

Sep. 30, 2022 | 7:30 PM Holland Center

Inspiring Events Sammy Figueroa and his Latin Jazz Ensemble

May 6, 2023 | 7:30 PM Orpheum Theater

Philadanco!

Apr. 20, 2023 | 7:30 PM Holland Center

Chucho Valdés Quartet

See the incredible touring artists participating in Voices AMPLIFIED! Get your tickets! ticketomaha.com | 402.345.0606

Many Thanks Sponsors and Community Partners

Committee Members Alexis Arai Taricka Burton Andy Cassano Raydell Cordell III Cristian Dona-Reveco Aaron Gregory Bill Grennan Bianca Harley

Dara Hogan Andrea Macias Matt Mason Bernado Montoya Abraham Mora Marcos Mora Victoria Ortega Jade Rogers

Gennean Scott Crystal Sierra Angela Szelag Kathy Tyree Jordan Willis Hugo Zamorano

Find us online at o-pa.org