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'Feels like home' — New director leads Lincoln Southwest theater into a new era

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Alert Top Story

'Feels like home' — New director leads Lincoln Southwest theater into a new era

• Jenna Ebbers
• Apr 8, 2024
• Apr 8, 2024
• 0

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Theater director Austyn McKee sits for a portrait at Lincoln Southwest High School. McKee is working to uphold the tradition at Southwest built by longtime director Bob Henrichs, who retired last year.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

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Lincoln Southwest’s cast performs during a dress rehearsal of "Something Rotten!" on Tuesday at Lincoln Southwest. The show, which begins this weekend, also runs next weekend.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

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Lincoln Southwest’s theater director Austyn McKee speaks to the cast before rehearsal on Tuesday. McKee is working to uphold the tradition at Southwest built by longtime director Bob Henrichs, who retired last year.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

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Lincoln Southwest’s theater director Austyn McKee goes over the script before rehearsal on Tuesday.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

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Lincoln Southwest’s cast performs during a dress rehearsal of "Something Rotten!" on Tuesday at Lincoln Southwest. The theater department is known for its elaborate productions.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

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Leah Arington, Andy Brockmeier, Aubree Lawrey and Ellyson Stolcpart, all part of Theatre Arts for Kids, sing a number from their recent production of ‘The Little Mermaid.’

Photos: Students practice for 75th annual Lincoln All-City Music Festival

Irving Middle School students Bella Ferris, 12, (from left) Zulecia Zumaya Valdez, 11, and Lincoln Northeast student Sara Jabbar, 18, play the clarinet during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Park Middle School band director, T.J. McLaughlin (center) conducts the band during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Lefler Middle School trombone players Evie Nebesniak, 12, and Phillip Lass, 12, rehearse for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

The 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival band and orchestra ensembles rehearse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School. Sixth graders in band and orchestra from Culler, Irving, Lefler and Park middle schools make up the ensemble.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

The orchestra ensemble rehearses for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Sheet music for the "Creepy Crawlies" score sits in a stand during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Culler Middle School student Moab Theory, 11, plays the clarinet during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Irving Middle School student Charlie Lynch, 11, looks up at the conductor while playing the flute during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Culler orchestra teacher Aaron Jaapar smiles at the orchestra ensemble after they finish playing a song during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Park Middle School band director, T.J. McLaughlin conducts the band during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Lincoln Northeast High School.

KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Reach Jenna Ebbers at 402-473-2657 or jebbers@journalstar.com.

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Theater director Austyn McKee sits for a portrait at Lincoln Southwest High School. McKee is working to uphold the tradition at Southwest built by longtime director Bob Henrichs, who retired last year.

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Lincoln Southwest’s cast performs during a dress rehearsal of "Something Rotten!" on Tuesday at Lincoln Southwest. The show, which begins this weekend, also runs next weekend.

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Lincoln Southwest’s theater director Austyn McKee speaks to the cast before rehearsal on Tuesday. McKee is working to uphold the tradition at Southwest built by longtime director Bob Henrichs, who retired last year.

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Lincoln Southwest’s theater director Austyn McKee goes over the script before rehearsal on Tuesday.

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Lincoln Southwest’s cast performs during a dress rehearsal of "Something Rotten!" on Tuesday at Lincoln Southwest. The theater department is known for its elaborate productions.

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