Minden Opera House

The Minden Opera House is a historic venue located in Minden, Nebraska, built in 1891 by Civil War veteran Wray Thorn. After Wray's passing, the building was sold to William Shapper and later traded to Judge Bruno Hostetler. In its early days, the Opera House featured plays and Monday night dances that attracted traveling bands. The building was renovated in 1997 by the Kearney County Community Foundation, which received two $300,000 bequests from the Estate of Vane and Alta Nied and Nels & Lucille Winther. The renovation cost a total of $2.8 million and was funded entirely by grants and donations.

Our Mission

At the Minden Opera House, our mission is to entertain the public, inspire future generations, and promote the arts in a majestic venue. We are committed to providing high-quality performances by professional artists from all over the world and the Minden Community Players.

Quality Performances

The Minden Opera House hosts first-rate performances, including plays, musicals, concerts, and other performances. We bring in high-quality performances by professional artists from all over the world. Our goal is to provide a unique artistic experience for our patrons, offering diversity and excellence in the performing arts.

Art Gallery

During the year, the MOH Gallery features work by six artists with Nebraska ties. Receptions are held to allow guests the opportunity to personally meet the artist. The MOH Gallery is located on the second floor of the Opera House and is open to the public during regular business hours. We are proud to support the arts in our community and showcase the work of local and regional artists.

Rental Information

The Minden Opera House is a versatile venue ideal for weddings, receptions, reunions, conferences, meetings, dances, parties, and more! Our unique historical atmosphere is a perfect backdrop for any occasion. We offer several rental options, including the theater, gallery, and meeting rooms. Our staff is dedicated to making your event a success, providing you with the highest level of customer service. Contact us today for more information!

Upcoming Events

• Moms Unhinged Comedy Night on May 22
• Wine Wednesdays from May 29 through June 19
• Missoula Children's Theatre production of "Jack and the Beanstalk" from June 24 - 29
• Trivia Night on June 27 & July 25

We are excited to announce our upcoming events at the Minden Opera House! Join us for a night of laughter at the Moms Unhinged Comedy Night, featuring everything from motherhood, midlife crisis, marriage, divorce, online dating, and other things that irritate us. Men are welcome too. During Wine Wednesdays, help us select our featured wines for the rest of 2024. Light refreshments and four wines are included each week. Children entering 1st - 12th grades are welcome to join us for Missoula Children's Theatre production of "Jack and the Beanstalk." Trivia Night is back! Bring a team or come solo and test your trivia knowledge through five rounds of trivia fun. We can't wait to see you at the Opera House!

Current Art Gallery Exhibition

Tammy Linner's charcoal and graphite works are currently on display in the MOH Gallery, extended into May. Tammy's art features impressive realism and attention to detail that is sure to impress. Visit the Opera House to see Tammy's stunning artwork during regular business hours.