Revitalizing the Community: "More Than Neighbors" Opening this Weekend at the Union

     The Union for Contemporary Art is a wonderful space located in North Omaha that works to engage the community in programs, classes and direct artist support. It was founded in 2011 and is motivated by the power of art in all mediums and accessibility to them giving way to social change and engagement. The organization utilizes its programs and artist fellowships and accessibility to resources in hopes to affect this change in North Omaha. The organization was originally founded by Brigitte McQueen-Shew and has grown to enact fellowships for artists, provide equipment and studio space, community projects and acting programs.

     The Union is opening the performance of a new play entitled “More Than Neighbors”. The play is an original by Denise Chapman. She utilizes this work to showcase a family in North Omaha’s experiences. The piece focuses around the changes erupted in the neighborhood and their life after the construction of the Interstate 75. The highway was originally begun in 1926 and Chapman’s writing explores the separation of businesses and homes in North Omaha when she grew up there in 1986.

     “More Than Neighbors” is based upon sights and interviews conducted from the area. Chapman explained in an interview with Channel 6 news that she found the stories and publicly sharing them has a strong meaning. This tale occurs in many places beyond Nebraska and continues in modern construction. The importance of this play is within the stories of neighborhoods that are disenfranchised and do not have financial or social means to fight back against community destroying alterations. The story was written and is being shared in hoping of redefining the community.
​
      The play “More Than Neighbors” opens this Friday, February 15 with its first showing at 7pm. It will run Thursday’s through Sunday’s until March 3. Thursday, Friday and Saturday showings will be at 7pm and there will be Sunday matinees at 4pm. The play is a wonderful way to grow in knowledge about the community and revitalize its strength. To support and purchase tickets you may visit the Union’s website at http://www.u-ca.org/events/2019/2/15/more-than-neighbors.

---

Image of Chapman from The Union for Contemporary Art Website