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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
Sunday, April 10, 2022 to Friday, April 29, 2022
Performance artist Tim Youd will retype The Song of the Lark at our historic sites and landscapes in April.
Opera House
Friday, March 18, 2022 - 7:00pm
Cabaret Theatre brings a celebration of the great American songbook to the Red Cloud Opera House!
Opera House
Thursday, March 17, 2022 - 7:00pm
Don't miss this captivating look into the Exodust movement, as freed African Americans established Black communities across the Great Plains during the late 19th century. At once...
Opera House
Saturday, March 12, 2022
In conjunction with Smithsonian's Museums on Mainstreet exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America , the Red Cloud Opera House is pleased to present the Great Plains Mini-Film...
Opera House
Saturday, February 26, 2022 - 7:00pm
Influenced by Appalachian string-band music and the corridos of the desert Southwest, Grombacher and Black's songs tell the stories of those who shaped the American West.
Opera House
Saturday, February 26, 2022 - 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Whether you are currently a volunteer or are interested in becoming one, we invite you to join us in the Red Cloud Opera House Gallery for a night of refreshments and good company...
Opera House
Thursday, February 24, 2022 - 7:00pm
Mark your calendars for a reading and discussion with author Erin Flanagan! Set in 1980s rural Nebraska, Deer Season , Flanagan's 2021 novel, follows a mystery surrounding a...
Opera House
Saturday, January 29, 2022 - 7:00pm to 8:45pm
A playlist that spans five decades and covers nearly every genre of music imaginable. Sing and dance to Lemon Fresh Day.
Opera House
Saturday, December 18, 2021 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Bring the whole family to the Red Cloud Opera House for a free screening of Jumanji! See our latest exhibit and visit with Santa Claus after the show!
Opera House
Saturday, December 4, 2021 - 7:00pm
Donovan Johnson brings Highball!, a 1950s-style tribute to the music of rock and roll sensation Jerry Lee Lewis.

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