Lied Center Celebrates 10th Anniversary

by Norah Goebel-George, Lied Center

The Lied Center for Performing Arts opened its doors with the gala event of Opera Omaha's Madama Butterfly in 1990. Thus a distinctly new world of performing arts came to Nebraska. For 10 years the Lied Center has introduced innovative, classical, cutting-edge, and theatrical performances of both music and dance to the vast reaches of the state of Nebraska.

The dream child of D.B. "Woody" Varner, retired University of Nebraska system president and past chairman of the University of Nebraska Foundation, and the late Sheila Griffin, Lied project director, was realized after years of efforts in fundraising and awareness building. Varner's idealism, combined with a generous grant from the Lied Foundation Trust administered by Christina Hixson, transformed his ethereal idea into a concrete project.

Varner was determined to make his vision of a performing arts center come true, but he needed monetary help. He learned of the $100 million estate of University of Nebraska graduate and successful businessman Ernst Lied. After months of conversation with Christina Hixson, executor of the estate, Varner's dream was almost realized. The estate donated $10 million in a challenge grant to the bricks and mortar fund. Varner and Griffin took the next several months to source the additional $10 million upon which the grant was contingent, successfully accounting for 1,655 gifts from UNL alumni and friends, along with 71 matching gifts from corporations. Due to their overwhelming success, construction began in the fall of 1986.

Many businesses and individuals were involved in the Lied's capital campaign and are still supporting events today. It is because of endowments, grants, the Friends of Lied, interested individuals, corporate sponsors, and our patrons that the arts are kept alive at the Lied Center.

The architectural firm of Henningson, Durham and Richardson of Omaha worked hand in hand with the University community to develop and meet requirements for a state-of-the-art facility. The initial concept was revised several times to insure the Lied would be built with the highest quality standards and materials available at that time.

Several rooms were written into the design to make sure that the building would be capable of handling the largest touring productions - such as four large chorus dressing rooms in the basement that can accommodate 25 people putting on makeup and costumes. Two glass-walled rooms in the rear of the theater were designed to accommodate latecomers. Those who arrive late can view the performance from these rooms until they can be seated. This is a great benefit for patrons because they don't have to miss much of the show even if they are running just a little late. Only the newest performing arts facilities have these rooms. The adjacent Johnny Carson Theater has many purposes. Because the acoustics can be adjusted to duplicate those in the main hall, the theater can be a rehearsal space for those musicians or singers heading for the main stage. Dancers may also use this space for warm-up or performing because it was designed with a sprung dance floor. The theater, which serves a smaller audience, is primarily used for cutting-edge art works as well as new artists..

The inaugural year introduced 16 performances to the state. The anticipation to see this sparkling new building and world-class performing arts resulted in sold-out events in the 1989-90 season. Highlights of this first season included Isaac Stern, Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band, the Lincoln Symphony with Steve Allen, and Les Misérables.

Pianist Van Cliburn performed not only in the classical setting of the Lied Center, but also to an audience of 76,000 in Memorial Stadium at a Husker football game. Van Cliburn was thrilled to perform on the Huskers' 50-yard line because he is a true football fan. This half-time program was a bonus for all Nebraskans.

World Cup Champions on Ice brought Olympic gold medalists to the Lied stage. It was a unique experience for the stage crew. For over 24 hours the crew sprayed water over the freezing elements assembled on the stage to create a rink for the skaters.

The holiday season is a special festive time for the performing arts. Decorations transform the Lied Center into a holiday wonderland which sets the stage for the co-produced production of A Christmas Carol. UNL's Department of Theatre Arts and the Lied Center collaborate on this bi-annual event.

Traditions have been established to invite all people with a multitude of interests to the Lied. The doors have been opened for many other functions in addition to the Lied season events. The educational Thompson Forums, community productions such as the Midwest Ballet performing The Nutcracker, weddings, student events, and meetings for local groups are just a few of the different activities held in the Lied Center.

The Friends of Lied, the volunteer fund-raising group, biannually sponsors a gala event which is fun for all those who attend and enables the Friends of Lied to underwrite future performances and other projects.

Through the education outreach department, students and faculty from across the state have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned authors, actors, singers, conductors, dancers, and musicians to fine-tune their skills to enter the world's stage. Students of all ages have been impacted by the arts that have come to their community through residency activities.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln student community, along with Wesleyan and Doane students, account for 14 percent of Lied audience members. Students and youth 18 and under are offered half-price tickets, giving them an affordable option for their evening's entertainment or cultural experience. Faculty members use Lied events to supplement their teaching in the classroom.

Volunteers are the core of our existence. The Lied is graced with committed and knowledgeable volunteers. Not only do they capably seat patrons who attend events held at the Lied Center and handle any emergencies which might arise, but they also assist the administrative office with special projects.

Preparing a season is a production in itself. It begins with booking and includes audience development, outreach, marketing technical development, maintenance, and custodial staff. All elements must work flawlessly to prepare a performance the audience will enjoy.

Even today the broad scope and diverse nature of the events programmed continue to fulfill Varner's original vision. The Lied Center has had a number of talented executive directors - each bringing his/her own unique philosophy of the arts to the stage. Under the direction of the late Sheila Griffin and Ron Bowlin, acting, director of the Lied in 1989, a reputation was developed for presenting the finest artists.

The Lied's present executive director, Charles Henry Bethea, incorporates disparate elements to develop co-commissioned works with other members of the local arts community. Bethea's passion for the arts, along with a refined ear for listening to his constituents, has helped him to develop a season of our greatest success to date. Attendance numbers have consistently grown over the past 10 years with over 1.5 million patrons attending Lied events.

Our 10th year celebration will begin with a festival in September. The entire state is invited to join us during this anniversary party. This festival will feature the Cajun band BeauSoleil, a French flavored Louisiana spice ensemble that performed at the Lied during the 1995-96 season.

The new season schedule will be announced in late May.

Central Station Pulls Into Ross Theater

Every so often, a film unexpectedly appears from a remote corner of the world to capture the imaginations of audiences everywhere. When Walter Salles' Central Station was unveiled for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival, crowds embraced the film, with tears, with applause and with joy.

Since then, it took the Berlin Film Festival by storm, winning the Golden Bear for Best Film and the Silver Bear for Best Actress for Fernanda Montenegro. It has garnered considerable critical acclaim and numerous awards, including two Academy Award nominations (Best Actress and Best Foreign Film), from all around the world. Central Station is that rarest of achievements: a film that speaks to your head while it touches your heart.

Central Station centers on a young boy (Vinicius de Oliveria) whose mother is killed in front of Rio de Janeiro's Central Station. Homeless and with nowhere to turn, he is reluctantly befriended by a lonely and cynical woman (Montenegro). Resisting her initial impulse to make a quick profit off the child, she commits to returning him to his father in Brazil's remote Northeast.

As buses and trucks carry the motley pair through the increasingly unfamiliar terrain, they defy their initial aversion to each other, journeying closer together and deeper inside themselves. Set against an epic backdrop of vast, majestic landscapes, the trip becomes a quest for their own identities: one boy's search for his father; and one woman's search for her heart.

Produced by five-time Academy Award-winner Arthur Cohn (The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, Black and White in Color), Central Station introduces director Walter Salles to the ranks of the great humanist filmmakers. Using a simple and intimate structure, he has fashioned a profoundly moving tale of the triumph of the human spirit.

Central Station is showing on May 6 through 9 and on May 13 through 16. Screenings are at 7 and 9:15 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; at 1, 3:15, 7 and 9:15 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 2:30, 4:45, 7 and 9:15 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $6; $5 for students, and $4 for members of the Friends of the Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater, seniors, and children.

This program is presented, in part, with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The Angels Company Brings Ten Transitional Tales to Studio Theatre

The Angels Company, in association with the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, will present Ten Transitional Tales, at 7:30 p.m. May 7 and 8 in the Studio Theatre in the Temple Building.

An evening of songs and stories for grown-ups, Ten Transitional Tales is a blend of stories, dance, song and mime. The themes run from game shows to motherhood. The Angles share memories, both personal and inspirational, about life's transitions, some pleasant and some unpleasant.

The members of the Angels Company are arts professionals based in Lincoln. The company includes Susan Conover, Connie Dillow, Judith Hart, Rhonda Lake, Karen Libman, Nancy Marshall, Brian Mathers, Pippa White Lawson and Alice McClure Szabat. The performance is directed by Eric Selk.

Past Angels Company productions include Zeal, Grace and Transformation, About Your Friends . . . , The Ancestors' Breath and The Women.

Tickets are $8 and available only at the door. For more information, contact Judith Hart, 474-2206.

Men's Gymnastics on Nebraska ETV

Catch the finals in the individual events from the 1999 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships taped April 24 when "NCAA Collegiate Gymnastics," airs at 9:30 p.m. May 1 on the statewide Nebraska ETV Network.

Sportscaster Bill Doleman, and Nell Palmer, a former All-American gymnast from Nebraska, will cover the action from the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.