Project Proposal
Each year, Central produces a full-scale mainstage musical production with students performing on stage, in the pit orchestra, and as part of the stage and tech crews. The grant will support the licensing, script and costume rentals, set and sound design equipment, choreographer’s fees, and other related expenses.
Amount Funded: $20,000
“I want students have a fun, memorable and meaningful experience that will carry with throughout their life when they patriciate in our productions at CHS. Whether or not they go into the entertainment industry as a career or not, the skills, experiences, and opportunities to create and collaborate with a group of people and see a project through from the beginning-middle-end will last them a lifetime.”
Scott Mead, CHS Drama Teacher
150 Students Impacted
Commitment to Closing the Opportunity Gap
Through the grant from the Central High School Foundation, students are able to receive training from guest artists who are masters in performance and technical theater. These funds also allow the Performing Arts Department to purchase lumber supplies used to craft period style props and set pieces as well as special effect lights and haze machines. Students are able to have top-notch experiences both on and off stage by participating in a semi-professional theatrical production that other area high schools cannot replicate.
Translation to College and Career Readiness
When our students have opportunities to work with professional artists who work in the local community, region, and nation, they not only learn skills that will help them become better performers, actors, singers and technicians but also help them develop interpersonal skills that will forever be engrained in their work through college, their career and beyond.
“Once Upon a Mattress was my final show at Central, and in putting together the sound design, I grew to truly realize how lucky I was to attend Central and work with the equipment we have. We truly, at least from an audio perspective, are on a completely different tier than every other school in the state without question. Our facilities put us on level with some of the best theaters in Omaha. I truly can never be thankful enough that I was able to produce such high-level work at Central due to the support of the Foundation.”
Jack Wilderman-Nielsen, Class of 2026