Women in the Lied
Our ongoing collaboration with the Lied Center for Performing Arts reflects a shared belief in the value of meaningful experiences. Together, we celebrate the arts and the vibrant role they play in creating a fulfilling life for individuals, families and communities across our region.
Lied-ing ladies
We celebrate the women whose creativity and leadership, on stage and behind the scenes, show us what it truly means to live with purpose and passion. Keep coming back for behind-the-scenes glimpses and conversations with the women who take the lead at the Lied, on stage and off.
Bethany Blackman
Usher and Events Coordinator
Years in the industry: 18 years
What is your current role?
Usher and Events Coordinator.
What sparked your interest in the arts?
I grew up fascinated by the magic and glitz of musicals and live theater. Old Hollywood musicals were a staple on my childhood TV. I loved the idea of breaking into song and dance at random. I also remember watching the film Cats on Broadway on PBS when I was a kid and just being totally hooked. I wanted to know how they did everything. In high school I was drawn to acting and theater. It was the one place I felt welcome, and where I could lose myself and become another character for a short period of time. As I participated in more theater, I grew to enjoy being backstage more than acting onstage. All of that led me to majoring in Theater in college and pursuing it as a career.
Who are the women in the arts that have influenced you the most?
There are many and various women who have influenced me over the years, most prominently teachers. These are not famous people, these are working women in the community. In high school Anne Farmer was my sophomore English teacher and Forensics Coach. Mrs. Farmer was young, starting a family, and working hard to complete her PhD, all while teaching and coaching. With all of this going on in her life, she always found moments to spend meaningful one on one time with her students. She encouraged me to set high goals and reach for them, she listened and gently advised, she demonstrated in her own life how you could have everything you set your mind to with a little determination. I continue to seek her out to share special moments in my life. While I was in college, Julie Hagemeier was General Manager at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film and the Nebraska Repertory Theater. Julie was also my mentor. She was my sounding board during my hectic and stressful years at UNL. I spent many hours in her office learning from her. She was a calming and reassuring force in my life; always there, always available, and always confident in my skills even when I wasn’t. If you’re looking for famous artists, I can tell you about my love for Star Trek and how it influenced my life. I could give you a dissertation about how the strong female characters and the women who brought those characters to life impacted me growing up. However, it might take a while.
What is one of your favorite behind-the-scenes moments or photos?
My favorite star interaction happened many years ago. I studied abroad in London and went to a show staring Patrick Stewart. I’m a huge fan and stuck around outside the theater for a bit in the hopes that I could get an autograph or photo. I never got that autograph or photo, but as I was leaving, he came out of the front doors, strode up to the street and yelled, “Taxi!” A taxi came screeching to a halt in front of him. He was about 5 feet away from me and I raised my hand to wave, totally unprepared to say anything. He looked over at me, smiled, said, “That was brilliant, that only happens in the movies!”, jumped in the taxi, and was off before I even raised my hand all the way. It’s a great little story that I now get to tell which is better than any autograph.
Is there a costume or object that holds special meaning for you?
I have a copy of Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot that always makes me smile when I see it. The collection of poems is the inspiration for Cats the musical. Cats really was a defining moment in my life.
Women in the spotlight
Get ready to be inspired by a lineup of performances that shine a spotlight on powerful women on stage, behind the scenes and in the stories themselves. From groundbreaking female artists to productions that explore women’s voices and experiences, each show offers something unique.
Gabriela Montero
Gunhild Carling
Olga Kern
The Philadelphia Orchestra
SUFFS
Disney's Frozen
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
Marilyn Maye
Moana: Live-to-Film Concert
Gabriela Montero
January 26, 2026
Pianist Gabriela Montero returns to the Lied Center with her signature brilliance and real-time improvisation. Highlights include an improvised live score to Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant and works by Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky, showcasing the artistry that has earned her worldwide acclaim.”
Did you know?
- Gabriela Montero gave her first public piano recital at just five years old. By eight, she made her concerto debut in Caracas, performing Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D Major with the Orquestra Nacional Juvenil de Venezuela.
- Montero’s improvisational abilities have been studied by neurologists at Johns Hopkins University. These studies revealed that her improvisations activate areas of the brain associated with visual processing, highlighting the depth and complexity of her creative process.
Gunhild Carling
February 20, 2026
Swedish jazz sensation Gunhild Carling brings high-energy vintage swing and jaw-dropping talent to the stage. A master of multiple instruments (sometimes three trumpets at once!), she dazzles with musical skill, theatrical flair and viral Postmodern Jukebox performances. She’s a true one-of-a-kind entertainer.
Did you know?
- She has won multiple awards for her performances and is often called the “Wonder Woman of Jazz” for her dazzling stage presence and musical versatility.
- Her fearless performances and multi-instrumental mastery inspire women and girls worldwide to pursue jazz and swing, encouraging more female representation in the music industry.
Olga Kern
March 10, 2026
Pianist Olga Kern, renowned for her dazzling technique and vivid stage presence. She captivates audiences worldwide with solo recitals and performances alongside leading orchestras such as the National Symphony and Czech Philharmonic.
Did you know?
- Olga Kern was the only woman in the last 50 years to win the Gold Medal at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a remarkable achievement in a male-dominated field.
- Her success has helped pave the way for more female pianists to gain international recognition and break into top-tier classical music circles.
The Philadelphia Orchestra
March 26, 2026
The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to Nebraska for their third performance at the Lied Center, led by visionary conductor Marin Alsop. The program features Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2.
Did you know?
- In 2005, Marin Alsop became the first woman appointed to lead a major American orchestra.
- Alsop champions the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in classical music, founding the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship to support emerging female conductors.
- Marin has received numerous prestigious awards, including a Peabody Award, an honorary doctorate from Yale, and induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
SUFFS
May 5-10, 2026
Direct from Broadway, SUFFS is a Tony Award®-winning musical by Shaina Taub, celebrating the passionate women who fought for voting rights. Praised as thrilling and inspiring, it explores the ongoing struggle for equality and won the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical.
Did you know?
- SUFFS was created by Shaina Taub, who made history as the first woman to independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season.
- Produced by notable female leaders including Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai. Co-producers include Lincoln native Michael Duling D’Angora.
Disney’s Frozen
August 15-24, 2025
Experience Disney’s Frozen like never before: live on stage with stunning visuals, beloved songs and new music. This magical tale of sisterhood, courage and love brings Anna and Elsa’s epic journey to life in a show that’s perfect for audiences of all ages.
Did you know?
- Frozen was Disney’s first movie featuring two female lead characters and is the first Disney animated fairy tale that does not revolve around a romantic love story.
- Frozen was the first Disney animated feature to have a woman director.
- Director Jennifer Lee is the first female director of a feature film that grossed more than $1 billion.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
October 8-11, 2025
TINA – The Tina Turner Musical tells the powerful story of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s rise to fame, featuring her biggest hits. With a script by Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall, this electrifying show celebrates Tina’s strength, talent and legacy.
Did you know?
- Known as the “Queen of Rock and Roll,” Tina Turner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. Rolling Stone named her among the greatest artists and greatest singers of all time.
- The Grammys awarded Turner the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
- She was the first black artist and first woman to be on the cover of Rolling Stone and the first female black artist to win an MTV Award.
Marilyn Maye
October 22, 2025
Marilyn Maye, dubbed the “Super Singer” by Johnny Carson, returns to celebrate Johnny’s 100th birthday with timeless songs and stories. A legendary cabaret icon and national treasure, Maye continues to captivate audiences, most recently with a sold-out Carnegie Hall debut at age 95.
Did you know?
- Marilyn Maye holds the record for the most guest appearances by a singer on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
- In addition to frequent appearances on The Tonight Show, Maye made appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dick Cavett Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Mike Douglas Show throughout the 1960s.
- The New York Times called her “the last of a great generation of American Songbook singers.”
Moana: Live-to-Film Concert
October 28, 2025
Set sail with Moana in a live-to-film concert featuring a full movie screening with live music by top Hollywood musicians and Polynesian performers. Experience the magic of Moana like never before, including the GRAMMY®-winning hit “How Far I’ll Go.”
Did you know?
- Moana is one of Disney’s few animated features centered entirely around a young woman’s leadership, courage, and self-discovery—without a love interest.
- Auliʻi Cravalho made history when she was cast as Moana at just 14 years old. Her powerful performance became a defining part of the film’s success and helped pave the way for more authentic representation in Disney films.
Latest interviews
January 16, 2026
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6 min read
June 8, 2025
| 5 min read
June 7, 2025
| 5 min read
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