Omaha Community Playhouse Names Brandon Box-Higdem New Associate Artistic Director

OMAHA, Neb., (February 17, 2025) – Omaha Community Playhouse, one of the largest non-profit community theatres in the nation, announces the appointment of Brandon Box-Higdem as Associate Artistic Director, effective in May 2025.

An actor, director, and educator, Brandon is no stranger to many in the Omaha theatre community or to OCP. After he joined the 1997/98 tour of OCP’s Nebraska Theatre Caravan Brandon established roots in Omaha which extended 12 years, directing and acting on many stages across the metro area.

In 2009, Brandon relocated to Arkansas to pursue a teaching career in theatre and speech. He was named Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas Communication and Theater Arts Association in 2018 and was inducted as an inaugural member of the University of Arkansas at Monticello Music and Theater Department’s Hall of Fame.

Brandon brings 16 years of educational theater and teaching experience to his directing and leadership style. Most recently he served as Theater Instructor and Director at Bentonville High School, Bentonville, Ark. where he led multiple curriculums ranging from performance to technical theater, developed and mentored aspiring directors, and fostered student-led creative work. He has served as a member of the directorial staff and creative team with Argenta Contemporary Theatre and has held teaching positions at the college level.

Brandon earned his undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Monticello and his Master of Arts in Theatrical Directing from North Dakota State University. He pursued post-graduate work with The Actor’s Studio School of Drama in New York City in 2001.

“The Playhouse has set the bar for me in the caliber of productions I’ve seen across the country and worked on over the years,” said Brandon. “I’ve always felt, since leaving Omaha, that a piece of my heart was left at the Playhouse and in the community. I’m excited to join the OCP creative team and return to my artistic home. Here’s to the next 100 years of Playhouse excellence!”

Brandon will work alongside OCP’s Artistic Director on programming and season planning, artist cultivation and relationship building, educational initiatives, and contributing to the organization’s artistic vision.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brandon back to Omaha and to OCP as our new Associate Artistic Director, said Rebecca Noble, Executive Director, Omaha Community Playhouse. “We’ve long admired Brandon’s work as a gifted actor and director, and dynamic educator. His ability to cultivate new and existing talent of all generations, bring creative innovation to fruition, drive collaboration, and foster a creative environment that welcomes all, make him an ideal fit for this vital role.”

She added, “This is a historic time for OCP as we enter the second half of our 100th Season and prepare for our next century. We’re looking forward to Brandon joining our team and helping us achieve our bold and exciting vision for the future of Omaha Community Playhouse.”