Benson Theatre is not a community theatre; we are a theatre for the community. We are a place where neighbors come together to support neighbors, businesses support businesses, and artists support artists. We are a place for raising voices. A place for creativity, exploration, discovery, and launching. A place for collaboration. A place for relentless dreaming. We are a place for breaking through, eliminating barriers, and shining light into darkened corners.
Benson Theatre’s work is guided by the organization’s core values, including inclusivity, diversity of programming and people, accessibility, empowerment, and respect. Our primary goal is to not only include but prioritize making space for the voices and artistic expression of marginalized communities. We have developed a matrix that will help the organization track programming throughout the year to ensure programs fully represent our community – within Benson and beyond.
From the first small glimmer of an idea to the laying of the final brick, Benson Theatre was created to be an inclusive and accessible community space and shared resource. While the organization produces its own internal programming, the focus of Benson Theatre is on collaboration and providing an affordable space for partner organizations to present their work to the Benson community and Omaha at large. As such 75-80% of events programmed at the theatre are produced and/or presented by local nonprofits, artists, and small businesses with an emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility to ensure diversity in our partnerships and the programming offered.