Crane River Theater is excited to offer arts education programs for youth of all ages in Central Nebraska.

We are excited to bring you a variety of arts education programs in 2024!
Stay tuned for details!

Arts Education Opportunities for Preschool

Explore Theater

Interactive classes providing preschool children a hands-on theater experience through songs, games, and scenes.

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Page to Stage

Touring Nebraska libraries to share with kids the value of seeing books and characters come to life on stage.

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Arts Education Opportunities for Elementary

Acting Out

Kearney Public School students and educators work directly with Crane River Theater directors to show them the magic of theater.

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Explore Theater

Interactive classes providing preschool children a hands-on theater experience through songs, games, and scenes.

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Arts Education Opportunities for Middle School

Explore Theater

Interactive classes providing a hands-on theater experience through songs and scenes.

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Building Character

A leadership workshop demonstrating leadership skills through acting and performance techniques.

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Arts Education Opportunities for High School

Backstage

A day of hands-on theater workshops taught by professional artists and a backstage look at our production of Sister Act!

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Student Matinee

An opportunity to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at The World Theatre!

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Every year, Crane River Theater provides a series of classes and workshops for preschool children. Our Explore Theater classes made possible by our partnerships with Kearney Park and Recreation and the Kearney Area Children’s Museum, have reached thousands of kids providing them a hands-on theater experience. Kids will tackle the craft of theater through puppetry, fairy tales and storytelling, and have the opportunity to interact, create and have fun while exploring theater. Crane River Theater also offers a series of library outreach programs called Page to Stage. Cast members from our summer productions travel to area libraries as part of their summer reading programs with the hopes to inspire imaginations and instill a love for the arts. Allowing children the opportunity to see characters jump from the page of their favorite storybook and the words come to life before their very own eyes is truly invaluable.

Every year, Crane River Theater provides a series of classes and workshops for elementary students. Our Explore Theater classes made possible by our partnerships with Kearney Park and Recreation, the Kearney Area Children’s Museum, and PAWS University have reached thousands of kids providing them a hands-on theater experience. Kids will have the opportunity to interact, create and have fun while exploring theater. Crane River Theater also offers a series of library outreach programs called Page to Stage. Cast members from our summer productions travel to area libraries as part of their summer reading programs with the hopes to inspire imaginations and instill a love for the arts. Allowing children the opportunity to see characters jump from the page of their favorite storybook and the words come to life is truly invaluable. For elementary schools, we also offer an exciting outreach workshop called Acting Out. Crane River instructors travel to area elementary schools to get kids excited about theater through games and team-building activities.

Crane River Theater is excited to offer several programs for middle school students. Every year, Crane River Theater provides a series of Explore Theater classes made possible by our partnerships with Kearney Park and Recreation and the Kearney Area Children’s Museum. These classes provide a hands-on theater experience, as middle school students set out to present a performance equipped with music and choreography. Crane River Theater is also excited to offer our Building Character workshop. This interactive workshop is designed to teach middle school students leadership skills through acting and theater techniques. Students from across the state will have the chance to partake in these valuable sessions.

Igniting excitement in the arts helps to promote teamwork, creativity, and leadership. In an effort to raise awareness and excitement for theater among high school students, Crane River Theater instituted a one-of-a-kind program in our area called Backstage Workshop. This workshop gives students a backstage look at a professional production, followed by a day of hands-on workshops taught by professional artists. Backstage is the perfect way to kick-start your One-Act, Speech, and Performing Arts season with advice from professional artists and educators. Our Student Matinees bring high school students to our fall production and gives them the opportunity to speak with the actors and directors of the show about the relevant themes and topics. Be on the lookout for more valuable educational opportunities to be announced soon!

Crane River Theater’s Arts Education Programs are generously supported by the Arram Family Foundation and the Peter Kiewit Foundation.