History

In 2001, three UNL graduates (Kaitlin Byrd, Robie Hayek, and Gregory Peters) formed Rough Magic Productions to create shows that would reflect their artistic values of collaboration, inventiveness, and passion. Although it has a thriving arts scene, Lincoln did not have a company focused on new, original, and experimental works. Rough Magic dedicated itself to just such works, both because we believe they are important and also to draw new audiences to the theatre.

Our first show, Sam Shepard's Fool For Love, was performed at the Seventh Street Loft, and was quickly followed by John Elsener's original work about Lenny Bruce (Sick: A Love Story) which played in a bar, much like the places where Bruce spent most of his career. The next summer Grimm Tales, based on the stories of the Brothers Grimm, played at The Swan at Wyuka, an antique carriage house in a cemetery. This was by far our most creatively ambitious production, with four original plays, four directors, and twenty-three people in the cast. That fall, The Laramie Project's cast and film crew actually spent a weekend in Laramie doing research and met Judy Shepard when she came to speak at UNL. All profits from this production were donated to The Matthew Shepard Foundation. The next May we produced Lobster Alice, the last show at the Seventh Street Loft before it closed.

In 2004, we produced an original movement piece (Ones and Zeros), Stephen Belber's Tape (which ran in Lincoln and Omaha), partnered with The Angels Theatre Company to create Summerstock, an evening of visual art, music and short plays, and closed out the season with Touch at UNL.

In the 2004-2005 season, we produced Stranger Than Fiction, an original work based on news stories, Summerstock 2, Steven Dietz's puzzle-box play Private Eyes, the celebrity satire Matt & Ben.

In the 2005-2006 season we collaborated with the Lincoln Community Playhouse on KID-SIMPLE (a radio play in the flesh), created Bad Dreams, an original movement piece based on nightmares, and produced GO(!), an anthology piece of new works and performance art. 

The 2006-2007 season was very prolific, beginning with a brand new play about the life and works of Franz Kafka, produced with the support of funds provided by The Nebraska Arts Council.  A 24 hour play project, entitled Just Add Water, gave audience members access to all aspects of the production process.  Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle, another Nebraska premiere, explored the adult world through the eyes of a precocious four-year-old girl and her imaginary friend.  The company continues to find opportunities to “give back” to the community with free events such as staged readings of August Strindbergs’ masterpiece, Miss Julie, and two new plays during FREE IN MARCH.  A marathon event of four staged readings, again free to audiences, will be produced in late June. 

We look for and create theatre that wouldn't be seen at other local venues, often stage them in unorthodox locations, and explore different approaches to process.  Nearly all of our productions have been either original works or Lincoln/Nebraska premieres.

For a stroll through our history...check out our past show archive.