This is a list of theaters in Omaha, Nebraska. The entries include theaters used to present films and professional live performances, including vaudeville acts, plays and musical performances.
Introduction
Live performance theaters
In 1860, the dining room of the Herndon House hosted for the first dramatic performance in Omaha, using a borrowed bolt of muslin for a curtain. Julia Dean Hayne, a leading actress of the time, played the title role. These were the humble beginnings of Omaha's performing arts scene. Today the city is home to the Omaha Community Playhouse, a nationally recognized community theater; the Holland Performing Arts Center; the beloved Orpheum Theater; and a host of other smaller performing arts venues.
Moving picture theaters
With more than 100 theaters since it was incorporated, Omaha's movie scene has never been static. Many of the early movie film theaters in Omaha were neighborhood theaters, small store-front establishments seating about 300 people on plain plywood seats. Most of the patrons of these early theaters walked to them or took street cars, so parking was not an issue. Larger theaters were congregated in Downtown Omaha, mainly along Douglas Street between Fourteenth and Sixteenth Streets, on what was called Theater Row. As personal automobile ownership increased, suburban theaters were built, and several drive-in theaters opened on what was then the outskirts of the city. Today, theater complexes with luxury seating, in-auditorium dining and bar service are prevalent. Omaha's last drive-in theater closed in 1987.
Current theaters
Current theaters in Omaha Name Built Seating Location Notes Aksarben Cinema December 10, 2010 2110 South 67th Street Alamo Drafthouse Midtown November 5, 2009 3201 Farnam Street Opened as Marcus Midtown Cinema in 2009. Turned into Alamo Drafthouse Midtown in 2018. AMC Oakview Plaza 24 1997 3555 South 140th Plaza With 24 screens, this is the largest theater complex in Omaha. AMC Westroads 14 November 14, 2008 10000 California Street The theater opened as Rave Cinemas Westroads in 2008 as Omaha's first all-digital cinema. AMC Theatres purchased the theater in 2013. Blue Barn Theatre 1980s 614 South 11th Street This theater is in the planning stages of building a new theater space. CHI Health Center Omaha 2003 18,320 455 North 10th Street Opened in 2003 as Qwest Center Omaha. The original seating was 17,000. An addition in 2006 increased the facility to its current capacity. In 2011 it was renamed CenturyLink Center Omaha. CHI Health bought the naming rights in 2018. Creighton Orpheum Theater 1927 2,600 409 South 16th Street The original Creighton Theater was located at 408 South 15th Street, and seated 2200. It was demolished and the current theater was built on the site, with the entrance reoriented towards 16th Street. The second theater closed as a movie theater in 1971. After a major renovation, it was opened as a performing arts center in 1974. The building has continued to receive periodic renovations over the years and remains one of the top performance stages in Omaha. Dundee Theatre 1925 4952 Dodge Street Originally built for vaudeville and stage performances, it was converted to a movie theater in the 1930s. The theater closed in 2013, then was taken over by Film Streams and reopened in 2017 after extensive remodeling. Great Escape Theatres October 2006 7440 Crown Point Avenue The theater was renamed Omaha Stadium 16 in 2013. Holland Performing Arts Center 2005 2,000 1200 Douglas Street Joslyn Art Museum Concert Hall 1931 1,001 The theater is inside the museum off the Storz Fountain Court. The theater was later named the Witherspoon Concert Hall, after donor D. J. (Jim) Witherspoon. Lozier IMAX at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo March 1997 358 3701 South 10th Street The theater premiered the IMAX film Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West in April 2002. Marcus Majestic Cinema 1996 14304 West Maple Road This was opened in 1996 by the Douglas Theatre Company as a 20-screen complex called the 20 Grand. In 2013 it was remodeled, reduced to 19 screens, and renamed the Marcus Majestic Cinema. Omaha Community Playhouse 1924 758 on two stages 6915 Cass Street This theater was previously located at 4004 Davenport Street. The company moved to its current location in 1959. Ralston Arena 2012 3,500 7300 Q Street, Ralston Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center 1926 2,776 (original seating) 2001 Farnam Street This opened in 1926 as the Riviera Theater. In 1929, it was sold to the Paramount Company and renamed the Paramount Theater. It closed in 1957, changing hands several times before it reopened as the Astro Theater, eventually closing as a movie theater in June 1980. It was purchased by Rose Blumkin of Nebraska Furniture Mart fame. After sitting vacant for a number of years, it was restored and reopened as the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center. Shelterbelt Theatre October 1993 3225 California Street Sokol Auditorium 1926 1,500 2234 South 13th StreetThe Ruth Sokolof Theater July 27, 2007 302 1340 Webster Street A two screen theater, with one theater accommodating 96 patrons and the second accommodating 206 patrons. The theater primarily shows independent, documentary, foreign and classic films. The nonprofit arts organization, Film Streams, manages the theater. Village Pointe Cinema 2004 304 North 174th Street Westwood Cinema 8 1989 1,500 2809 South 125th Avenue Opened as Super Saver Cinema 8.
Theaters of the past