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Professional Bio
Fran Sillau (HE/HIM/HIS) Fran has worked extensively within the world of Theater For Young Audiences for over twenty years. A professional playwright, director and producer, Fran can also be found in the classroom as a theatrical teaching artist and inclusion consultant.
Fran Sillau is beginning his twelfth season as Executive Artistic Director of Circle Theatre, Omaha’s theater for individuals of all abilities. Under his leadership, the Circle co-commissioned My Broken Doll, a TYA play based on the life of holocaust survivor Beatrice Karp, adapted by Ernie Nolan, and Over the River, a play about friendship by Ellen Struve. Both plays recently toured the state of Nebraska. In December of 2016, Sillau directed a regional premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas. This production incorporated American Sign Language, shadow interpreting, audio description, as well as actors with various physical and developmental disabilities. He is also currently developing new original TYA works for the Institute For Holocaust Education and the Great Plains office of the Anti-Defamation League.
Fran spent seven years collaborating with theatrical producer Deborah Denenberg (Dodger Productions and Big League Productions) on The Doll Maker’s Gift. After tracking the book author down to her home in St. Petersburg, Russia, he co-wrote the book, and directed the world premiere at the Rose Theater in Omaha in 2019. The Omaha World Herald said “Families should flock to this one.” His latest collaboration with Ms. Denenberg, premiered in 2025, the musical adaptation of the New York Times Best-Selling book Just Ask! Just Ask! Premiered at the Coterie Theatre in January of 2025.
Fran Sillau is beginning his twelfth season as Executive Artistic Director of Circle Theatre, Omaha’s theater for individuals of all abilities. Under his leadership, the Circle co-commissioned My Broken Doll, a TYA play based on the life of holocaust survivor Beatrice Karp, adapted by Ernie Nolan, and Over the River, a play about friendship by Ellen Struve. Both plays recently toured the state of Nebraska. In December of 2016, Sillau directed a regional premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas. This production incorporated American Sign Language, shadow interpreting, audio description, as well as actors with various physical and developmental disabilities. He is also currently developing new original TYA works for the Institute For Holocaust Education and the Great Plains office of the Anti-Defamation League.
Fran spent seven years collaborating with theatrical producer Deborah Denenberg (Dodger Productions and Big League Productions) on The Doll Maker’s Gift. After tracking the book author down to her home in St. Petersburg, Russia, he co-wrote the book, and directed the world premiere at the Rose Theater in Omaha in 2019. The Omaha World Herald said “Families should flock to this one.” His latest collaboration with Ms. Denenberg, premiered in 2025, the musical adaptation of the New York Times Best-Selling book Just Ask! Just Ask! Premiered at the Coterie Theatre in January of 2025.
Organization
Circle Theatre
Nonprofit Organization