CENTENNIAL SPOTLIGHT: PRIESMAN FAMILY Steve Priesman and Marion Ayer met in high school at Central. After graduation, Steve attended UNO and Marion studied at Hastings College and UNO. They married in 1972. Daughter Jenny was born in 1975 and son Brian followed in 1976. Steve worked in his family’s printing business and Marion taught private voice and piano. Later on, Steve was head of the Omaha Public Schools Printing and Publications from 1989 to 2022. Marion worked for OPS Title 1 until 2020. 1983 began a lifelong family association with the Omaha Community Playhouse and, especially, A Christmas Carol. Brian was in the production in 1983. Marion joined the cast in 1984 and Marion and both children were the Caravan production in 1985. That same year, Steve started working backstage at OCP. Steve became the stage manager of the mainstage ACC and continued that job for 23 years! Counting those shows, Steve has stage managed 90 productions at OCP. Marion has performed in more that 50 musicals and Jenny counts more than 45 shows on stage and 16 shows backstage. Brian has performed in more than 46 shows. The whole family traveled to Europe with the Playhouse twice for productions of 1940’s Radio Hour and Quilters. A Christmas Carol tops the family’s list of favorite shows. Other favorites are The Secret Garden, Ragtime (2006), The Music Man, Parade, Evita, Zombie Prom and Fiddler on the Roof. Steve especially noted A Man of No Importance as an outstanding production. Steve and Brian also mention Beauty and the Beast and Shrek as special shows. Brian’s daughter, Tessa, was in the youth ensemble for both; three generations of Priesmans in these shows. Jenny’s twins, Austin and Jackson, joined her one season in A Christmas Carol. Brian is currently the Outreach Coordinator for the Henry Doorly Zoo and has two children. He previously worked at OCP as an intern and educator developing curriculum and study guides for the Playhouse and the Caravan. Jenny is married to Dan Goos and they have twin boys. She works for Platform Science as a transportation/communication integration specialist. The family not only graces OCP on stage and backstage, they have worked at most area theatres and venues over the years. Steve assistant stage manages the annual Omaha Symphony Christmas show and the Resonance choral group. This season, two distinguished alumni returned to perform at the Playhouse and the Priesmans have close association with both actors. Tony winner John Lloyd Young performed at the Playhouse as a child and became close friends with Brian and Jenny. John and his sister spent much time with them. Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz was a member of the Caravan and was dating another Caravan member who happened to be staying with the Priesmans. They got to know him quite well during that season. Because of their long history with A Christmas Carol, they were asked if they had a favorite Scrooge. The answer was that it is too difficult to pick. All actors have been very different and very good. The Priesmans love the Playhouse and consider it an extended family; very warm and welcoming. OCP is grateful for all the time and talent this entire family has generously shared with the community. (fb)

A heartfelt gracias to our amazing sponsors of American Mariachi! Your support plays a leading role in bringing this vibrant, music-filled celebration of family, culture, and love to our stage. Because of you, we’re able to honor tradition, uplift voices, and share a joyful, soul-stirring experience with our community. Thank you for helping the music play on! • Presenting Sponsor | Valmont Industries @valmontindustriesinc • Artistic Team Sponsor | Conagra Brands Foundation @conagrabrands • Media Sponsor | Telemundo Nebraska @telemundonebraska • Media Sponsor | Lobo 97.7 FM @lobo97.7 • Opening Night Celebration Sponsor | Bruce & Pam Friedlander • Costume Care Sponsor | Max I. Walker American Mariachi is playing now through June 1! Don’t miss this powerful and heartwarming story. Get your tickets today! 🎟 https://omahaplayhouse.com/productions/american-mariachi/ 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 Gracias a nuestros increíbles patrocinadores de American Mariachi! Su apoyo es fundamental para que esta vibrante celebración musical de familia, cultura y amor llegue a nuestro escenario. Gracias a ustedes, podemos honrar la tradición, elevar las voces y compartir una experiencia alegre y conmovedora con nuestra comunidad. Gracias por ayudarnos a que la música siga sonando! • Patrocinador principal: Valmont Industries @valmontindustriesinc • Patrocinador del equipo artístico: Conagra Brands Foundation @conagrabrands • Patrocinador de medios: Telemundo Nebraska @telemundonebraska • Patrocinador de medios: Lobo 97.7 FM @lobo97.7 • Patrocinador de la celebración de la noche de apertura: Bruce y Pam Friedlander • Patrocinador del servicio de vestuario: Max I. Walker American Mariachi se presentará desde ahora hasta el 1 de junio! No se pierdan esta conmovedora y conmovedora historia. ¡Consigan sus boletos hoy mismo! 🎟https://omahaplayhouse.com/productions/american-mariachi/ (fb)