How music and art therapy shaped this original Omaha play

How can art impact therapy – then inform the plot of an original play?

"Ways to Win the Woods" was born out of that question. A collaboration among Great Plains Theatre Commons, Anastasis Theatre Co., the Omaha Symphony, PACE, and MICAH House, this original play reimagines the story of Hansel and Gretel through the lens of navigating homelessness. Ellen Struve, an Omaha playwright, wrote the script after working with women who had lived experience. Her daughter, Reese Pike, wrote an original score which will be performed live by Omaha Symphony musicians at the play’s performances on February 12 and 13.

Omaha Symphony Principal Bass Nate Olson has been involved with the project since its beginnings at MICAH House, an emergency shelter serving families and women in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro area who are facing the crisis of homelessness. Olson accompanied on bass for multiple 60-minute therapy sessions Struve led with 15-20 residents of the shelter.

“[Struve] would come up with a prompt that I would then try and embody with a performance of a short piece or excerpt,” Olson said. “Her prompts could be a specific emotion or a specific activity like traveling. I would perform some excerpts from the classical music repertoire and some standard or well-known tunes or songs. Then after my performance, the residents would write down specific emotions or adjectives that they experienced during the music. Some shared very specific memories and stories, while others shared more vague or abstract feelings. It was very cool getting to hear their stories and what kind of emotions the music brought to them.”

In this article from The Reader, Leo Adam Biga dives deep into the women who shaped the story of this play and the creative team leading its production, including Anastasis Theatre Co. Artistic Director Haley Haas, who is directing. The play takes the stage of the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs at 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 and 13, as well as at Yates Illuminates on Feb. 15 – although this performance will feature piano accompaniment only.

At the Hoff Center, a small ensemble of Omaha Symphony musicians will bring to life Reese Pike’s dynamic, jazz-influenced score.

“This smaller instrumentation creates a lighter texture that allows each instrument’s moments to really shine and be heard. Reese also did a great job of giving fun solo moments to each part, and it has been a blast getting to hear more of my colleagues this week.”

Pike is a jazz and classical pianist originally from Omaha, Nebraska. She is currently in a master’s program at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute.

“The first read of the music was a fun session,” Olson said. “We had Reese there with us and it turned into a very collaborative experience where she was able to change some things in the moment based on what she was hearing and also comments and suggestions from my Omaha Symphony colleagues. Watching and participating in a creative process like that is always an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am really looking forward to this weekend!”

Reserve your free tickets to "Ways to Win the Woods" by clicking the button below!