Programming
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is a practice of restorative interactions guided by a facilitator. This work strives to transform individuals, relationships, communities and systems through the prevention, repair and deep healing of harm. Our restorative justice circles begin with the goals of community building and personal and collective healing. Every session includes personal and collective art making to explore each topic in new ways. In a world that feels divided we are striving to provide a space for deep connection and belonging. Our next Circle of Restorative Arts workshop series begins in the Fall with circles in both Omaha and Lincoln.
Circle Up Program
Circle up is our programming inside Nebraska correctional facilities. This program is a mix of restorative justice circles and performing arts workshops. We design each workshop series to fit the needs and goals of participants. When possible the residents share what they have created with community members at their facilities. We are currently planning workshops at NE State Penitentiary and Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.
Rising Voices Program
Our Rising Voices Program uses community-engaged theatre to create new plays with communities impacted by incarceration and the legal system. Project development requires deep engagement with artists, community members, and partner organizations; Rising Voices productions are the result of 12-24 months of collective creation and engagement. We prioritize artists and community members with lived experience in our cast and creative team.
Anastasis has just begun our next project centering the experiences of our LGBTQIA2S+ neighbors. A team of five systems-impacted, queer devisers have convened to structure the production and engage the impacted community members in partnership with our friends at the Union of Contemporary Art, Black & Pink National, and Omaha for Us.
Video courtesy of
thinkMotion.
Past Productions
Way To Win the Woods
by Ellen Struve
February 2026
Anastasis co-produced this tour with Great Plains Theatre Commons, Omaha Symphony, and MICAH House Shelter. The musical explores how food and housing insecurity impact women in the metro area. Playwright Ellen Struve worked with women at the MICAH House shelter to create a modern twist on
Hansel and Gretel. The score was composed by Reese Pike and performed by musicians from the Omaha Symphony’s Forte Initiative. The play featured MICAH House alumni and current residents alongside professional actors.
By a Thread
by Kim Louise
March | April 2025
This project was a collaboration with women impacted by incarceration. More than 75 women participated in story circles and interviews to help create the play. By a Thread explores the heartbreaking challenges the women faced inside and the incredible sisterhood that keeps hope alive. We toured the play in Omaha and Lincoln with a cast of five justice-impacted women and two professional actors. After each performance we had community conversations led by our formally incarcerated cast members.
Disability is Not a Dirty Word
by Bridgit Kuenning
November 2023
Disability is Not a Dirty Word, is an original online play that explores the multi-faceted experience of living with a disability. This production was created and performed by a diverse group of disabled people. Written and arranged using story circles, the play gave focus to the frustrations of living in a society designed primarily for non-disabled people, explored experiences of ableism and advocated for equitable access.
More Than a Number
by Members of NSP’s Seventh Step Club
adapted by Colleen O’ Doherty
June 2022 | Nebraska State Penitentiary
Anastasis worked with members of the 7th Step club at the Nebraska State Penitentiary for three years to develop this play. Together we shaped their collected writings into a play that features monologues, scenes, and poetry woven together to create a tapestry of their lived experience. The play shares glimpses of life before prison, crucial moments of choice, life inside and hope for the future. The group performed their play for fellow residents, staff and volunteers. Both performances received a standing ovation.
October 2022 | Touring Omaha & Lincoln
The men of the 7th Step Club at Nebraska State Penitentiary were excited to share their play with the wider Nebraska community. The play toured to partner sites in Omaha and Lincoln with a cast that featured formerly incarcerated community members alongside professional actors.
June 2023 | Remount at Benson Theatre
The tour was well received and we wanted to share the stories with a wider audience, so in the summer of 2023 we remounted the play at the Benson Theatre. More Than a Number was nominated for Outstanding New Local Script at the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.
Stories: On the Brink
by Colleen O’Doherty
October 2021
Stories: On the Brink was created in collaboration with people impacted by housing insecurity. After three years of relationship building and story circles, we co-produced this play with Great Plains Theatre Commons at Holy Family Community Center. The cast featured people with experience in the shelter system and professional actors. Following our three public shows, we then toured the play to partner shelters MICAH House and Stephen Center.
Voices Unbound
Assemblage by Barry Carman & Colleen O’Doherty
New work by Jason Witmer and Nature Medicine Song Villegas
August 2021
This virtual presentation focused on the experience of incarceration and isolation performed by citizens impacted by the justice system in Nebraska. The play drew together classic texts addressing retributive justice and solitary confinement from Sophocles to Charles Dickens to Nelson Mandela, followed by a modern text on the wrongful incarceration of Ernest Jackson.
Epic
by Ellen Struve
May 2019
This play was developed by Great Plains Theatre Commons and Cornerstone Theatre with immigrants living in South Omaha. The play was performed by actors from the community sharing stories in English, Spanish, and Q’ anjob’al. Anastasis had the privilege to help cast and prepare the team for rehearsals.
The Justice of Eating
by Colleen O’Doherty
November 2019
Anastasis teamed up with the Stephen Center shelter and the Benson Theatre to tell stories of hunger in our community. Colleen O'Doherty wrote a series of monologues exploring how food insecurity impacts our neighbors.
The Justice of Eating
was our first production.
Opera Omaha Fellowship Celebration
April 2019
Anastasis partnered with the Opera Omaha fellows to create a one of a kind event to highlight the beautiful music they explored with community groups including students from Mandela Elementary and the Gotta Be Me Heartlight Choir.