Performances That Spark Community Dialogue
Our Approach
Anastasis Theatre Co. was founded by Colleen O’Doherty and Haley Haas in 2018. They connected at the Great Plains Theatre Conference and realized they shared a passion for bringing theatre to communities most impacted by our justice, social and economic systems. They started working together on theatre projects to serve people affected by housing insecurity and people impacted by incarceration. After their first night working together at the Open Door Mission Haley suggested they start a theatre company to lift unheard voices and Anastasis Theatre Co. was born. They chose the name Anastasis inspired by the Greek word anastasis which means to rise up. This name captured their vision to give new voices the platform to rise up and be heard.
Creating Spaces for Healing and Belonging
The Anastasis Method
Anastasis Theatre Co. uses theatre, storytelling, and restorative justice to empower those most impacted by our social, economic, and justice systems. We help them share their stories, advocate for change, and lead our community toward a more just future. Our Rising Voices Program uses community-engaged theatre to create new plays with under-represented communities. Each project begins with relationship-building through story circles and interviews. Anastasis then collaborates with participants to create a new play. We cast community members alongside professional actors and tour the play to partner sites. All performances are free and fully accessible. Every show is followed by a community conversation about the issues raised and how we can work together for change.
In early 2026, we co-produced the musical
Ways to Win the Woods
with Great Plains Theatre Commons, Omaha Symphony, and The MICAH House. The play explores food and housing insecurity in a modern twist on Hansel and Gretel. Our Next Rising Voices Project centers the experiences of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors impacted by incarceration. We are working in community with Black & Pink National, Omaha for Us, and the Union for Contemporary Art to develop the play, set to tour in 2027.
The Wisdom of the Circle
Anastasis provides creativity workshops for groups inside the correctional system and for returning citizens and their families in the community. We design each workshop series to serve the needs of each group. Creativity workshops take participants through activities in writing, visual art, acting, and music. The goal is to encourage self-reflection and expression through visual and performing arts. These workshops develop critical life skills including team work, healthy communication, accountability to your peers, and self-confidence.
In 2025, we launched restorative justice programming and began incorporating its principles into our circle work in both our workshops and the Rising Voices program. Restorative justice is a practice of restorative interactions guided by a facilitator, called a “circle keeper.” This practice can transform individuals, relationships, communities, and systems through the prevention, repair, and deep healing of harm. Our restorative workshops builds community and fosters personal and collective healing. In a world that feels so divided we hope to provide a space for deep connection and belonging.
Access for All
All productions and programming are free to the community. All programs are supported with radical accommodations. We joyfully find creative ways to eliminate any barriers that could keep someone from participating, providing meals, snacks, gas stipends, childcare, and more. We stay connected.
We also have ongoing opportunities for our alumni to stay engaged with us. We host regular gatherings and connect alumni to other community opportunities to use their new performing and advocacy skills. We strive to provide programming that gives our participants life-changing new skills and a place to belong. We work to give our audiences high-quality theatrical experiences and a deeper understanding of their neighbors with different lived experiences. We hope to inspire both our audiences and participants to take action to make our community a more just place for everyone to live.
