Donor Support
Thank you to these generous donors for helping us raise the curtain:
Sunderland Foundation
Farmer’s Mutual of Nebraska
Abel Foundation
Sampson Construction
Donlan Foundation
NWU alumni, parents, employees and friends
Did you know?
NWU Theatre won the 2022 Mayor’s Art Award for the performing arts.
The Next Stage
In 2017, Nebraska Wesleyan embarked on a renovation of Elder Theatre Building in two acts.
Act I McDonald Theatre – complete
- New seats
- New stage
- New interior design including specialized lighting
Act II The Next Stage – coming soon
- Remodeled lobby
- Expanded restrooms for patrons, including a private, accessible family restroom
- Redesigned back-of-house with a more efficient, professional layout
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The clean, open lobby design will better serve both patrons and students.
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Performers will enjoy a more efficient, professional dressing room.
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The redesigned lobby will include energy efficient windows.
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Lectures or small gatherings can be held in the new lobby.
The project will significantly improve a learning, teaching and performing environment that enriches our students’ education and enhances the vibrancy of the Lincoln community.
The updated facility will match the quality of our academic programs, helping to attract creative thinkers and performers to Lincoln. Whether an NWU graduate’s path leads to a Broadway stage, a high school classroom, a non-profit organization or the business world, experience in theatre helps shape well-rounded graduates who, in turn, shape communities.
As one of the few large performance venues in Lincoln, outside of the downtown area, a renovated Elder Theatre Center will anchor Nebraska Wesleyan’s collaborative work to establish the University Place Arts District within the Nebraska Creative District Program. The Creative District designation will attract much needed tourism and economic activity in Northeast Lincoln.
Elder Theatre Center is one of NWU’s hubs for collaborating with community organizations and engaging with children and families to broaden access to the arts and introduce youth to college experiences. The project will strengthen these partnerships to enhance the quality of life, quality of the arts and quality of education available in our community.
Help us set the stage for a new era of theatre at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Donate to NWU Theatre Renovation
If you have questions or wish to explore giving opportunities, contact Mary Hawk at (402) 465-2139 or mhawk [at] 254336.com (mhawk[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).
