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Willa Cather Foundation - Red Cloud Nebraska (NE)
 
 
 

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Opera House Events

Opera House Events

Built in 1885 and fully restored in 2003, the Red Cloud Opera House figured prominently in the life of Willa Cather. From performing on the Opera House stage to enjoying traveling productions that came by way of the railroad, Cather’s interest in the arts was spurred by the experiences she had here in her youth. She delivered her high school graduation address from the Opera House stage in 1890. The facility closed in 1920. In a 1929 letter to friend and journalist Harvey Newbranch, Cather wrote, “When I go about among little Nebraska towns, the thing I miss most is the opera house. No number of filling stations or moving picture theatres can console me for the loss of the opera house.” Today, a visit to the Opera House transports patrons back in time to the 1880s, when Willa Cather and her friends eagerly anticipated the arrival of traveling productions such as The Bohemian Girl and The Mikado. We are proud to utilize the facility to create rich educational and cultural opportunities for area residents and our visitors from across the nation.

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Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events

No events scheduled at this time.

Past Events
Past Events
Opera House
Thursday, October 27, 2022 - 10:00am
Join us in person and online for a special children's literature event! Author Lisa Harkrader will be at the National Willa Cather Center to meet young readers and sign copies of...
Opera House
Thursday, September 22, 2022 - 7:00pm
Transport yourself to the Colorado Rockies, Nebraska prairie, and beyond during our conversation with author Pam Houston! Join us as Houston shares excerpts from her book, Deep...
Opera House
Saturday, September 10, 2022 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Ballet Folklorico de Topeka appears for the first time at the Red Cloud Opera House to share Mexican culture and tradition through the art of dance.
Opera House
Thursday, August 18, 2022 - 7:00pm
Mason will share poetry from his most recent collection and share the virtual stage with Tanya Bachu, 2022 Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate!
Opera House
Monday, August 1, 2022 to Saturday, August 6, 2022
In this musical adaptation of The Jungle Book, Mowgli explores what it means to be human with his jungle friends!
Opera House
Thursday, July 14, 2022 - 7:00pm
Mark your calendars for this discussion with Jonis Agee about her book, The Bones of Paradise. This multigenerational family saga takes place shortly after the Wounded Knee...
Opera House
Friday, July 1, 2022 - 6:00pm
Join us for an evening celebration of local children's creativity that's got it all! We will begin with a very special theater performance in collaboration with Blixt Locally...
Opera House
Saturday, June 4, 2022 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Composer Chris Ellenwood’s new composition, Children of the Moon , is based on Willa Cather’s One of Ours which celebrates its 100th publication anniversary in 2022. Featuring...
Opera House
Saturday, April 23, 2022 - 7:00pm
SOLD OUT! Donovan Johnson returns with Nebraska Showdown and Shameless!—a tribute to one of the biggest stars in all of music history, Garth Brooks.
Opera House
Thursday, April 21, 2022 - 7:00pm
Join us as author Steven Trout takes a hard look at Cather's analysis of the Great War.

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