The GBM Heartlight Choir took the stage April 30, 2022 for its first live performance since 2019 with “Plant, Nourish, Shine.” The original production – which includes acting, music, dancing and a celebratory finale that brings it all together – was held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 202 S. 20th Street, at 6:30pm. Individual tickets were $25 before April 15 and $35 after that date.
Britta Tollefsrud, a member of GBM’s programming staff, said the production is a “show-within-a-show” that follows three travelers who journey to create their very own show inspired by lessons learned during the challenges we've all faced at the hands of the pandemic. The script, dances and songs were developed collaboratively by the GBM community with help from Tollefsrud, the former GBM Heartlight Choir Director Blake Lofing and choreographer Courtney Stein.
“By crafting this production with input and collaboration from our Gotta Be Me community, I hope to offer an opportunity where our folks and friends feel unbelievably proud of themselves for what they've created and accomplished,” Tollefsrud said. “I hope folks feel inspired to continue collaborating with friends and create cool projects! I also hope companies will see this template and use it to inform their future productions, inviting more voices into the creative process.”
Several GBM Heartlight Choir members were getting ready for the show with help from Opera Omaha. GBM Executive Director Tiffiny Clifton said Fellows from the organization’s Holland Community Opera Fellowship have been offering 20-minute individual voice lessons via Zoom during the winter and spring months. In 2018, GBM partnered with the Opera Omaha Holland Community Opera Fellowship to produce and perform its first-ever rock opera.
The GBM Heartlight Choir – founded by Marilyn Hinkle and Tiffiny Clifton in 2014 - practices Monday nights throughout the year at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Contact us to attend and participate just as you are, no judgement, every time.
For more information, call 402.669.0616.
