We Are Radio Theatre Omaha

Our History

RTO was first founded by Kent Garlinghouse in 2018 when he discovered there was nothing else like it in town. Joining forces with Stephanie Kidd, together they created Radio Theatre Omaha. Since then, dozens of artists have come together to tell bold and diverse stories to audiences all across the metro.

Kent and Stephanie’s regard for the rich history of audio drama and their commitment to local artists leaves a lasting legacy that RTO continues to nurture.

Beginning in 2024, Jackson Newman and Francisco Franco joined RTO as Artistic Director and Managing Director respectively. RTO continues its mission to tell bold and diverse stories, giving a unique voice to local artists while engaging the community with dialogue and greater understanding.

In the Theatre of the Mind: We tell it. You C-R-E-A-T-E it!

Our Founders

Kent Garlinghouse was born and raised in the Big Sky of Montana, where he graduated from the University at Missoula, with a major in Music Education and a minor in Theatre. He taught Junior High School, High School and College music and continued his involvement in theatre through a number of pursuits. His goal was to be a professional Opera singer, a pursuit that included a year’s graduate study in Germany with the University of Oregon. Life challenges and the need to make a living changed that goal to one of encouragement: helping others to fulfill their artistic dreams through performance.

Education was always his priority, and he focused his career on encouraging others to achieve their highest and best aspirations. After retirement, he became involved in a radio theatre group, performing monthly live shows. He also wrote, directed, and did sound effects for these shows in addition to being a voice actor.

A move to Omaha in 2016 began a search for radio theatre performing groups. Discovering there were none in the area, he worked to develop a group of writers, voice actors, composers/performers, and sound effects artists so that local talent could be celebrated, and audiences thrilled by the “theatre of the mind.”

Kent Garlinghouse

Stephanie Kidd

Stephanie Kidd served as the Artistic Director for Radio Theatre Omaha, Omaha's only live audio drama theatre. An Omaha resident since 1997, Stephanie is a skilled theatre artist with a BFA in Theatre (directing) from Creighton University and an MA in Theatre (acting) from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She has worked with almost all of Omaha's theatres as a theatre artist. Favorite partnerships include roles with Anastasis Theatre, the Rose Theater, Benson Theatre, Council Bluffs Children's Theatre, and RESPECT. Stephanie works at UNMC's UNeTech Institute, coaching startup founders in medtech and developing programs for community founders who face barriers.

Meet the Team

  • Jackson Newman

    Artistic Director

    Jackson Newman serves as RTO’s Artistic Director. A Council Bluffs native, Jackson has performed in and directed theatre productions across the Midwest. Before becoming Artistic Director, he appeared as a voice artist in a number of shows for RTO, including such productions as The Grinch Who Came To Dinner, Atlas Slugged, and Down the Rabbit Hole. Jackson is excited to tell thoughtful and engaging stories through the powerful medium of audio drama.

  • Francisco Franco

    Managing Director

    Francisco Franco is a theater artist based in Omaha, Nebraska and currently serves as RTO’s Managing Director. He also serves as the Rental Manager and Production Assistant for the BlueBarn Theatre. His directing credits include University of Nebraska at Omaha’s QWIT Festival and Crossing The Street Festival. His co-directing credits include Perdido En Mi Cabeza at Bluebarn’s Big Damn Door Festival and Mother Night for the Omaha Fringe Festival. He has also performed in a number of productions around the metro with recent credits including Dance Nation At Bluebarn Theatre, Meet Me in St. Louis at the Bellevue Little Theatre, Perdido En Mi Cabeza at Bluebarn's Big Damn Door Festival, Stories On The Brink with the Anastasis Theatre Company, and Down the Rabbit Hole for Radio Theatre Omaha.

  • Bruce Mortiz

    Treasurer

    Bruce Moritz is an internal audit professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is passionate about assisting local inclusive arts non-profit organizations achieving their goals.

    He is married to Lisa and has one son, currently attending Gifford Park Elementary. In his spare time, Bruce enjoys art, hiking, camping and spending time with his family.

  • Eric Cavanaugh

    Social Media Coordinator

    Eric Cavanaugh is a creative at heart with a deep appreciation for the arts and the outdoors. Since 2010, he’s been actively involved in theatre—both on and off the stage. He studied theatre at Iowa Western Community College, where he built a strong foundation in performance, production, and collaboration. Today, he’s proud to support the arts as a member of the Board of Directors for Bellevue Little Theatre.

    Theatre has been a constant source of inspiration, shaping how he approaches storytelling and creative work. Alongside the stage, he’s developed a love for photography—capturing fleeting moments and turning them into lasting narratives through visual composition. Dance fuels his energy and expression, while hiking offers a peaceful reset and a way to reconnect with nature.

    Whether he’s exploring a new trail, behind the lens, or immersed in a creative project, he’s driven by curiosity, community, and a deep passion for bringing stories to life.

    Most recently, he was thrilled to join the Board of Directors for Radio Theatre Omaha and is excited to help this vibrant creative community grow and flourish.

  • Beth Kalal

    Board Member

    Beth Kalal is a Benefit Coordinator for Triage. In March 2021, she got her Master's of business administration from Bellevue University. Beth loves to dance, read, and give back to the community. She also enjoys spending time with her nephews in her free time and planning her wedding for May 2024!

  • Brian Kokensparger

    Board Member

    Brian Kokensparger is a writer and actor who began his career and will most likely end his career at Creighton University. He is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Creighton, focusing on digital humanities and storytelling, and loves the idea that audio drama can actually change lives for the better in the right time and place. He has a wife (Karen) and two grown daughters (Anna and Kathleen) who both are raising little audio drama makers of their own.

  • Will Anderson

    Board Member

    Will Anderson has been writing and promoting audio drama for the past twenty-five years and currently is a professor within Central Michigan University’s School of Communication, Journalism and Media. 

    Anderson’s main interest is thinking of new uses and ways to distribute audio drama. He also has a really great dog, Bella.