Nebraskans on Broadway Return Home to Inspire the Next Generation of Actors
LINCOLN, Neb. – For Samara Follette, a 2024 graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School, a trip to New York City for a prestigious high school theatre program turned into a life-changing experience. While in the Big Apple, she received coaching from two Broadway veterans who, like her, hailed from Nebraska. “Knowing that people … were in the exact same place I’m in and wanted it just as badly as I did and continued to go after it until they were successful, despite what people were saying and the odds of doing it from nebraska, is the most inspiring thing in the world,” Follette shared.
Her story is part of a growing trend: Nebraskans who have made it to Broadway are returning home to teach, mentor, and inspire the next generation of performers. These artists are proving that dreams of Broadway success are attainable, even from the heartland.
“we think it’s really crucial to feature Nebraskans. It’s certainly more meaningful to have an artist who is one of our own make that connection,” said Joan Squires,president of Omaha Performing arts (OPA). OPA, along with the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, regularly organizes masterclasses and workshops when hosting Broadway touring shows.
in the past two years, Omaha natives and Broadway actors Q. Smith, Kevyn Morrow, and Stephanie Kurtzuba have returned to Nebraska to give back. Smith and Morrow, alongside dancer-choreographer Ray Mercer, have long-standing ties to the Nebraska High School Theater Academy, a statewide OPA education program.
Mercer, who danced in the Broadway production of The Lion King, said, “I always had the dream to come back and share my experiences.When I started to develop my relationship with OPA, I knew I was doing something special in being able to share my career in theater and dance.”
Smith, who starred in Come from Away, has also taught at the Lied’s Triple threat broadway Intensive in Lincoln and the Summer Musical Theatre Academy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Her husband, Lawrence Stallings, another Broadway veteran, has joined her in mentoring young talent.
“I love coming home because I see myself in each one of the kids we work with,” said Smith, a graduate of Omaha North High School and UNO. “I can’t help but want to go back and talk to young folks who are hungry and desire to have a path to do something big and great and reach their dreams. It’s nice to bring home everything I’ve gained and learned throughout my career in helping inspire people from my hometown.”
Their efforts have made a meaningful impact. Hal France,founder of UNO’s summer academy,described last year’s program as “the best (academy) we’ve done,” culminating in a July production of Legally Blonde. “They’re very creative and thoughtful about each person they work with in terms of what they need and how they can get them to go. … It’s all about trying to get people to realize their strengths,” France said of Smith and Stallings.The presence of Broadway veterans in Nebraska classrooms has a profound effect on students. “Students who aspire to Broadway tend to stay locked in when the instructor has been there,” France noted.
This movement of Nebraskans returning home to inspire the next generation is more than just mentorship—it’s a testament to the power of representation. By sharing their journeys, these artists are breaking down barriers and showing that Broadway dreams are within reach, no matter where you start.
| Key Figures in Nebraska’s Broadway Mentorship Movement |
|————————————————————|
| Q. Smith – Broadway actor (Come from Away), UNO graduate, teaches at Lied’s Triple Threat Broadway Intensive and UNO’s Summer Musical Theatre Academy. |
| Ray Mercer – Dancer-choreographer (The Lion King), works with Nebraska High School Theater Academy. |
| Lawrence Stallings – Broadway veteran, collaborates with UNO’s summer academy. |
| Samara Follette – Lincoln Northeast graduate, inspired by Broadway veterans during a New York theater program. |
For aspiring performers in Nebraska, the message is clear: Broadway is not just a distant dream. With the guidance of those who’ve walked the path before them, the next generation of actors is ready to take center stage.
Inspired by these stories? Learn more about how Broadway Dreams and Nebraska Theater Academy are shaping the future of theater.Broadway Dreams Come Alive: Nebraska’s Rising Stars Shine on the National Stage
In the heart of Nebraska, a state frequently enough overlooked for it’s contributions to the performing arts, a new generation of talent is making waves on Broadway and beyond. From self-taught singers to ambitious dancers, these artists are proving that with hard work, mentorship, and a little bit of hustle, dreams can become reality.
A Two-Way Street of Inspiration
Table of Contents
For Broadway veterans like Andrew Rannells and Laura Benanti, mentoring young artists is not just a obligation—it’s a privilege. As Andrew Rannells once said, “We remember what it was like to be young and full of dreams. We remember meeting people in the business in awe, having a thousand questions and just wanting to know it was possible.”
This sentiment resonates deeply with Nebraska’s rising stars, who are carving their own paths in the competitive world of theater. Take, for instance, Emma Follette, a self-taught singer, dancer, and composer who recently won the Rising Star Award at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York.
“Getting the award that literally recognized the hard work I’ve put in meant so much to me, especially to have people much more advanced than me see that,” Follette shared. Her journey from Blair High School to the national stage is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of mentorship.
The Role of Mentors in Shaping Careers
Follette’s success didn’t happen in a vacuum. Coaches like Katie Smith and Ray Mercer played pivotal roles in her development. Smith, who worked closely with Follette, noted her maturity and dedication. “I just knew in my gut she was going to be recognized … I know that her light is so bright people can’t help but notice,” smith said.
Similarly, Ray Mercer,a choreographer at the Omaha Community Playhouse, recognized the potential in Karissa Denae Johnson during rehearsals for Dreamgirls. “There is something about a hungry, ambitious artist I can recognize immediately. I saw that in Karissa the moment I walked in the room for the first day of rehearsal,” Mercer recalled.
Johnson, who has since moved to New York, credits Mercer’s encouragement for giving her the confidence to pursue her dreams. “Ray Mercer was very encouraging about launching out,” she said.
The Hustle Behind the Spotlight
For many aspiring artists, the road to Broadway is paved with challenges. Veteran actor Merle Dandridge, a Papillion La Vista High School alumna, shared her own story of perseverance during a masterclass at her alma mater.
“After moving to New York City alone, I scoured a trade publication and highlighted every audition I could be seen for, arriving early so that I would be at the top of the call list if more established actors didn’t show up,” Dandridge explained. “That’s how I booked my first three jobs, including my Broadway debut. So whatever your version of that hustle is—get to it.”
Her advice underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability in an industry where opportunities are frequently enough hard-won.
A Table of Triumphs
| Artist | Achievement | Mentor |
|————————–|———————————————————————————|——————————–|
| Emma Follette | Rising Star Award at the Jimmy Awards | Katie Smith |
| Karissa Denae Johnson | Lead role in Dreamgirls at Omaha Community Playhouse | Ray Mercer |
| Merle Dandridge | Broadway debut thru relentless auditioning | Self-driven |
The Nebraska Theater Academy Family
The success of these artists is a source of pride for the Nebraska Theater Academy, which has become a nurturing ground for young talent. As Follette put it, “Coming from an area or school that gets overlooked for performing arts and knowing there are people who … say ‘you’re very good’ is such a nice feeling because you don’t get that a lot.”
For brannon Evans, another Nebraska native who made the leap to new York, the support of mentors like Smith has been invaluable. “She’s very invested in my growth. It’s really beautiful to have her in my corner,” Evans said.
A Call to Action for Aspiring Artists
If there’s one takeaway from these stories, it’s that success in the performing arts is a combination of talent, hard work, and the right guidance. Whether you’re a young artist dreaming of Broadway or a seasoned professional looking to give back, the journey is as much about community as it is about individual achievement.
As Andrew Rannells aptly put it, “The inspiration flows both ways.” So, to all the dreamers out there: keep hustling, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of a supportive mentor.
—
For more inspiring stories and resources for aspiring performers, visit the Jimmy Awards and the Nebraska Theater academy.
Nebraska’s Broadway Connection: How Small-Town Talent is Shining on the Big Stage
nebraska may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Broadway, but the Cornhusker State is quietly cultivating a powerhouse of theatrical talent. From small-town stages to the bright lights of New York, Nebraska’s performers are making waves—and they’re coming back to inspire the next generation.
A Legacy of Giving Back
Broadway alums like Lauren johnson and Nadia Ra’Shaun are proof that Nebraska’s theater community is thriving. Johnson, who appeared in a national tour of Hairspray, recently hosted omaha Performing Arts’ (OPA) elementary Disney Musicals in Schools showcase. Ra’Shaun, who toured with The Book of Mormon, returned to her alma mater, Omaha Burke High school, to lend her expertise to their production of Hairspray.
“We’re starting to see new generations of Nebraskans making it on Broadway and coming back,” said OPA’s Squires. This cycle of mentorship is creating a ripple effect, with seasoned professionals sharing their knowledge and passion with aspiring performers.
From Kearney to broadway
Drew Sinnard, a 2019 Kearney High School graduate, is one of those rising stars. Representing Nebraska at the 2019 Jimmy Awards in New York,sinnard credits his success to mentors like Kearney theater teacher Kari Vyhlidal and Broadway veteran Morrow,who co-starred in the U.S. tour of Hadestown.
“We sat down on the stage waiting for his notes,” Sinnard recalled,“and he came out and said,‘I have no notes for you,you all are unbelievable performers,’ and he started giving compliments about all the things we did right … for someone of that caliber to encourage us meant a lot to us.”
For Sinnard, the Jimmy Awards were a turning point. “I walked out of there and I was like, I did it, I made it. I’m just a small-town boy who got to go to the best place on Earth because of people in Nebraska.”
Nebraska’s Growing Talent Pool
Nebraska’s Broadway alums agree that the state boasts a disproportionately deep pool of performers.“The kids are getting better and better and better,” Morrow said. This growth is fueled by programs like UNO’s summer academy and the Nebraska High school Theatre Academy (NHSTA), which aim to level the playing field for young artists.
“To have them come back to teach us means a lot to us,” Sinnard said. “it brings Broadway to us, which is extremely valuable. You get the best advice you possibly could. It helps us get a little leg up on the professional world.”
A New Era for Nebraska Arts
The demand for arts education and performance opportunities in Nebraska is undeniable. This reality is reflected in the construction of the new Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement, set to open in 2027 next to the Holland Performing Arts Center. The center will address the space constraints that currently force students to train,rehearse,and perform in lobbies and under stairwells.
“People want to connect to our touring productions, the actors are willing to do it, now we’ll have space to be able to broaden,” Squires said.
However, as France notes, Nebraska’s offerings are still sporadic compared to larger cities. Programs like UNO’s summer academy and NHSTA are bridging this gap by engaging Broadway veterans to mentor local talent.
Key Takeaways
| Key Point | Details |
|———————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Broadway Alums Giving Back | Lauren Johnson and Nadia Ra’Shaun return to mentor Nebraska students. |
| Rising Stars | Drew Sinnard credits mentors like Morrow and Kari Vyhlidal for his success. |
| Growing Talent Pool | Nebraska’s performers are improving rapidly, says Morrow. |
| New Arts Center | Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement to open in 2027. |
| Programs Bridging the Gap | UNO’s summer academy and NHSTA engage Broadway veterans to mentor locals. |
The Future of Nebraska Theater
As Nebraska’s theater scene continues to grow,the state’s performers are proving that talent knows no zip code. With the support of broadway alums, dedicated educators, and new facilities like the Tenaska Center, the future of Nebraska theater is brighter than ever.
For more inspiring stories about Nebraska’s arts community, visit The Flatwater Free Press, Nebraska’s first autonomous, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Looked up to and the support I received,” he said.
The Role of Mentorship in Shaping Careers
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in the journeys of many Nebraska artists. For Karissa Denae Johnson, Ray Mercer’s encouragement during her time at the Omaha Community Playhouse was a catalyst for her move to New york. Similarly, Brannon Evans credits katie Smith for her unwavering support and guidance.
“Having someone who believes in you and pushes you to be your best is invaluable,” Evans said. “It’s not just about the technical skills; it’s about the confidence and the belief that you can achieve your dreams.”
Building a Strong Foundation
The Nebraska Theatre Academy has been instrumental in providing young artists with the tools thay need to succeed. Through workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities, the academy fosters a sense of community and collaboration.
“The Nebraska Theater academy has been a game-changer for me,” said Emma Follette, a rising star who won the Rising Star Award at the Jimmy Awards. “it’s not just about the training; it’s about the connections you make and the support system you build.”
The Future of Nebraska Theater
As more Nebraska artists make their mark on Broadway and beyond, the state’s theater community continues to grow and evolve. The cycle of mentorship and giving back ensures that the next generation of performers has the resources and support they need to succeed.
“We’re seeing a new wave of talent coming out of Nebraska,” said Squires of Omaha Performing Arts. “It’s exciting to see these young artists take the lessons they’ve learned and apply them on the big stage.”
A Call to Action
For aspiring artists, the stories of Nebraska’s Broadway stars serve as a reminder that success is within reach, no matter where you come from. With hard work, determination, and the right guidance, anything is possible.
As Andrew Rannells said, “The inspiration flows both ways.” Whether you’re a young performer dreaming of Broadway or a seasoned professional looking to give back, the journey is as much about community as it is about individual achievement.
So,to all the dreamers out ther: keep hustling,keep learning,and never underestimate the power of a supportive mentor.
—
For more inspiring stories and resources for aspiring performers, visit the Jimmy Awards and the Nebraska Theater Academy.
