Mission
The Mission of the Anastasis Theatre Co. is to lift unheard voices in our community. Our plays bring together diverse groups to highlight the beauty of our differences and reveal the common thread of our humanity.
Values
We believe that story is an essential part of the human experience. The stories we tell as a culture impact how we understand ourselves and others. Those who tell the stories of our community have the power to shape our knowledge of the past, our current reality and what is possible in the future. We are left wondering, who is telling our story, and whose voices still need to be heard.
Anastasis Theatre Co. is committed to giving new voices a platform to share their stories and shift the narrative that directs our community. We hope to connect underserved communities with the transformative power of storytelling and theatre. When we give new voices the opportunity to be heard we change what is possible for individuals and the community.
In an increasingly isolated world our theatre-making process focuses on the power of human connection that is only possible when we share space and meet face- to- face. Every aspect of our work is a collaboration with the community we are serving. From story circles and interviews to creation and performance of the play, community members are at the heart of every step.
We are dedicated to creating new plays that engage our wider community in dialogue with new voices from underrepresented groups. Live theatre has the unique ability to connect audience and performers in a shared experience that promotes empathy and broadens our understandings. We hope to help weave new stories into the fabric of our community and build momentum for positive change.
Board of Directors
Haley Haas
Executive Artistic Director
Haley Haas is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Anastasis Theatre Co. She is a theatre maker with passion for directing, community engagement, facilitation, and acting. Haley worked for 15 years as an actor and the Training and Education Director for R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a touring educational theatre company. Her most recent directing credits include, More Than a Number, Stories: On the Brink, and Voices Unbound with Anastasis Theatre Co. As an actor, favorite regional shows include: Silent Sky (Henrietta TAG award for Outstanding Lead Actress), and Red Summer (Virginia) at the Blue Barn Theatre; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Honey) at The Circle Theatre; and The Blues of Knowing Why (ensemble) at the Union for Contemporary Art. Haley holds a BFA in Theater Performance from Creighton University. She has also trained with the groundbreaking community-engaged theater company Cornerstone based in Las Angeles, CA
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Board Vice President
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter (she/her) was born with stars in her eyes. She’s a writer, performer, activist and don’t forget mom. Kuenning-Pollpeter currently serves as VP for ATC. She’s a freelance writer/marketer during the day, a creator by night. In her spare time (AKA her dreams) she’s a Broadway star. It’s her mission to conquer the world with art. Her work has appeared in The Omaha World Herald, Hippocampus Magazine, Shiblaqbri Magazine, The Insider and elsewhere. Periodically, she blurts her thoughts and opinions on her blog, LitMommy.
Stephanie Kidd
Board President
Stephanie Kidd, PhD (Board Secretary) is thrilled to sit on the Board for Anastasis Theatre Co. alongside her best friend Haley. Stephanie works at UNMC’s UNeTech Institute, where she runs the communications and programming department, helping to support entrepreneurs as they turn their med-tech inventions into commercially successful businesses. She is also the Artistic Director for her own theatre, Radio Theatre Omaha, our city’s only live audio drama performance company. She is a proud member of the Board of Directors for Junior League League of Omaha, a member of Women’s Fund Circles Class 10, and an NLC Fellow Class 2022. She lives in Country Club with her spoiled cat Trixie.
Jim Piper
Treasurer
Jim Piper is Treasurer of Anastasis Theatre Co.
He is a retired business owner and original board member.
Jim spent many years as a volunteer for community theatre in South Dakota.
He now enjoys seeing first-hand the positive results of community-engaged theatre embraced by Anastasis Theatre Co.
Doriette Jordan
Board Member
Doriette L. Jordan is a proud native of Omaha, NE. Her passion for theatre has afforded many roles such as: Fellow at The Union for Contemporary Art Inside Outside program, Director for The Golden Loc by Prentiss Matthews III, Assistant Director for Aint Mis Behavin “, “Tell Martha Not to Moan” , Director Fellow at Omaha Community Playhouse and Acting Mentor at The Union for Contemporary Art. I have held additional roles such as: Assistant Teacher for the Youth Ensemble; Stage Manager for “Divine Order of Becoming” by Carla Stillwell; “The Story Aaron Douglas” written by Peggy Jones; Production assistant for “More Than Neighbors” by Denise Chapman & “Kumbaya a Juneteenth Story” by Rose McGhee. Doriette has held roles in “Plays Out Loud Summer Reading Series”; Deliah in “Spunk” by Zora Thurston and the Reverend in “Lawd the CVS is on Fire” by Carla Stillwell. Doriette has had the opportunity to grace stages apart from the Union, playing the leading role of Chelle in “Detroit 67” @ Shelter Belt Theater; “Abuse is Not Love” in WithLove Felicia Productions; attendance at the Great Plains Theater Conference; reader for Money Changers and “By Standers” by Kim Louis; “Even Flowers Bloom in Hell” by Franky Gonzalez and “Cave Canem” by A. Emmunel Leadon and many others. Most recently casts in Belle Terre by Justin Payne and Heaven Come Home by Justin Payne and Dani Cleveland. Her passion for people and theater is what led her to Anatasis Theatre Company Board.
Andrea Padilla-Rosas
Board Member
Andrea Padilla-Rosas was born and raised in Central California. Her immediate family still lives in California – her older sister, twin sister, younger brother and late parents. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 2007 to join her now-husband, Guillermo. They have two dogs, Lincoln (Link), a Shiba Inu and Kahlua, a Pekingese and Shih Tzu mix. She and her husband live in the Benson-Dundee area. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from the College of Saint Mary. Andrea works at Metropolitan Community College as the Associate Director of Financial Aid Campus Operations. Prior to that position, Andrea served as the director of a college preparatory program for low-income and/or first-generation college-bound students, AIM TRiO Upward Bound, at Omaha Bryan High School. Andrea volunteers her time as a mentor for Girls Inc. of Omaha, sits on the board of Anastasis Theatre Co., and is a sustainer member of the Junior League of Omaha. In January of 2023, Andrea started taking folkloric dance (baile folklorico) classes, something she’s been wanting to try since college. In her down time, Andrea enjoys McDonald’s french fries, collecting craft supplies, sewing, binge-watching a Netflix/Hulu show, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, reading, and traveling.
Barry Carman
Board Member
Barry Carman is an arts professional with over 25 years experience in multiple field-related disciplines. As a director, dramaturg, and deviser, he has led, collaborated on, or co-created over 80 productions. He is the co-founder and former artistic director of Witching Hour Omaha, a devised theater ensemble. He is a former core company member of Out of Hand Theater, an Atlanta-based company working at the intersection of art, social justice, and civic engagement. He has years of experience developing access and equity initiatives, designing community engagement and theater programming, and grant writing. He is a fierce advocate for new play development, human-centered production values, and dogs. Barry has also served on the NEA’s Arts Projects Grant Review Panel and is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America. He is queer, formerly incarcerated, formerly unhoused, and formerly unhinged. He loves comics, books, his pups Roscoe and Luna, and, obviously, Anastasis Theatre Company.
Tracy Baker
Board Member
Tracy Baker is the Development Director at the Nebraska Writers Collective, which works with more than 50 local artists to provide a variety of creative writing, poetry, and spoken word programming throughout Nebraska and Iowa. He also works as a development consultant in Omaha and Lincoln. He earned a BA in History at Nebraska Wesleyan University and is currently in the MPA program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Tracy spends much of his free time keeping tabs on his three children. When they are safely glued to their respective screens he plays board games, attends around 40 movies a year, and putters aimlessly around the house, mumbling randomly and incoherently.
Alyssa Gonzalez
Board Secretary
My name is Alyssa Gonzalez, I am 24 years old and have been involved in theater since high school. In 2021 I graduated from UNO with a Bachelors degree. I majored in Business Administration and minored in Theater and Journalism and Mass Communication. I look forward to all the stories I will encounter and the people I have yet to meet.
Community Council
- Jason Witmer, ACLU of Nebraska Board Member
- Teela Mickles, CEO, Compassionate Action
- Ron Zank, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Angie Williams, Micah House
- Ellen Struve, Great Plains Theatre Commons
- Paul Feilmann, Community Activist
- Serena Ireland, Alumni Community Cast Member
- Francisco Franco, Alumni Professional Actor
- Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter, Anastasis Board of Directors Liason
- Addie Barnhart, Creighton University
- Alissa Ries, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
- Carla Walker, Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Br. James Dowd The Benedictine Way
- Charisa Ramsey Opera Omaha Community Fellow