In 1948, Emmy Gifford and two volunteers from the Junior League of Omaha got inspired to start a theater for young audiences in Omaha and a year later, the Omaha Junior Theater was born. The company changed its name to the Omaha Theater Company and moved to The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center (formerly the Astro Theater) after a $10.3 million renovation spearheaded by The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center Foundation President Susie Buffett.
The Omaha Theater Company is one of the largest professional children's theaters in the nation, with programs reaching over 700,000 people each year in Omaha and on National Tour. The Company's National Tour is one of the country’s largest, with productions touring to more than 65 venues in 25 states each year.