New Horizons Multi-talented Kathy Tyree makes PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
Celebrating 50 Years
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February 2025 | Vol. 50 | No. 2
musical theater her ministry
By Leo Adam Biga ny who’s-who list of Omaha performing artists must include Kathy Tyree. A singer and actor on city stages over four decades, she’s more recently added director to her credits, helming shows for the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP), Rose Theatre and Great Plains Theatre Commons. Her musical theater performances have earned her Playhouse, Theatre Arts Guild and Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. After years plying her craft in her hometown this newly minted Equity actor and director is spreading her wings in regional theater. Besides her talent, Tyree is admired for encouraging young artists and leading community DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access) efforts. Her heart for service pays forward what elders did for her coming up. The most impactful of these influencers was her late mother, Shirley Tyree, who could sing a little, too. “My mother had an exceptional, beautiful soprano voice. She came up in a different time period where expectations as well as opportunities for Black people were different,” said Kathy. Therefore, instead of her mother pursuing a performing career of her own, Tyree said, “She took care of her family, worked, went to church and encouraged me to dream – she poured it into me.” Remembered as “everyone’s mama,” Shirley became one of the first Black managers at Northwestern Bell, served on the Omaha Public Schools board, mentored at Girls Inc. and was an anchor at the family’s home church, Morning Star Baptist, where both
mother and daughter sang in the choir. At the time of her death Shirley was the church’s longest serving member at 72 years. Kathy still attends there. Just as her mother shared her gifts with others Kathy describes her own work as “my ministry.” “It truly is a calling on my life and I take it very seriously,” the dutiful daughter said. “I try to be as responsible as I can with it because you’re engaging, impacting other people’s lives and it’s important in doing so to be intentional, transparent and authentic. When somebody comes to you with questions they’re trusting what you are sharing with them.” Tyree grew up exposed to her mother’s “giving, gracious” ways. Yet the full extent to which Shirley helped others only became apparent after she died and recipients of her generosity informed Kathy. “She loved the arts, she loved her community. Her first love after
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God was her family. She adored her grandchildren. I can only hope to live up to the woman my mother was.” Shy Kathy only sang publicly at the insistence of Shirley and Morning Star’s then-minister of music, Glenn Burleigh, who recognized her talent and gave her solos. Similarly, she only tried out for “Tech High’s school musical,” “The Wiz,” after drama teacher Jim Eisnehardt heard her voice in show choir and pressed her into auditioning. She won the role of Dorothy and caught the acting bug in the process. She appreciated what Eisenhardt gave her. “He made it very clear that as a theater-maker you have to be committed, dedicated, all-in. He supported me throughout my career, all the way up to his passing last year.” LIKE DAUGHTER, LIKE MOTHER Once Kathy found a home in
Hillcrest Foundation supports, provides for all older adults
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theater, mom followed. “When I started performing in the community it drew my mother out to do shows at the Center Stage Theatre, the Playhouse and with Gordon Cantiello’s Cabaret Productions. It really ignited some things for her. We even did a couple music revues, cabaret-style shows together. It was amazing and awesome to be able to share the stage with her. “My mother implemented a rule that when we were in the theater space we acted as ensemble members and not mother-daughter. What that prevented was personal feelings becoming involved. One time a director snapped at her really badly and I got really upset. That’s when my mom put that rule in place.” The pair also did the musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ together for the Center Stage. An earlier Center Stage production of it was the first show Kathy did after high school. It proved memorable because the show became Nebraska’s entry in a world amateur theater competition. As it kept winning, cast and crew traveled to compete regionally, nationally and internationally. That took resources they didn’t have. “The philanthropic community donated. We did fundraising performances everywhere. A TV crew followed us. Omaha really got behind us,” Tyree said. It all culminated with the Omaha troupe winning the finals in Japan and being welcomed by a cheering crowd at Eppley Airfield upon their triumphant return. “We got so much love and support. I was so young and had never been anywhere. Theater just completely changed my life.” --Tyree continued on page 9.
By Ron Petersen local veteran who is hearing-impaired due to his military services, had trouble knowing when people would come to his front door because he couldn’t hear the doorbell or knock on the door. He was nominated, and then gift-
ed a Ring Video Doorbell, which was a gift given from the Hillcrest Foundation for Enhancing Lives. “The gifts we provide might change the quality of someone’s life,” Hillcrest Foundation for Enhancing Lives executive director, Sandy Lemke said. --Hillcrest continued on page 11.