All true. All part of the history. But the story is much fuller than just the bare facts. It’s a story about Kearney, Nebraska, itself. Thanks to a well-known figure in Kearney’s arts and not-for-profit work, Brad Driml, here is his engaging account. Brad wrote-

Everyone at one time or another has the desire to do all they can to Save the World. Whether it be eliminating pain and suffering or negotiating world peace, it’s an admirable and lofty goal. Due to a small group of dedicated volunteers and a community that constantly gives gifts to itself, The World was saved. Albeit not in the scale of the Nobel Prize, but still a monumental achievement.

Kearney native Jon Bokenkamp fell in love with movies at The World when he first saw the original Star Wars as a child. In 2007. Jon assembled a group of like-minded, enthusiastic, and determined community members and formed The World Theatre Foundation. Those original board members were Brad Driml, Chad Henning, March Loescher, Walter Martin, Jayne Meyer, Ben Rowe, Amy Rundstrom, Bill Sinnard, Dan Spiers, Karla Steele, and Bokenkamp.himself.

The early days of the foundation were largely guided by Bokenkamp. Researching, making calls, networking and navigating his way to what would become the foundation. It was a labor of love and a stern determination to see that dark, musty old movie theatre brought back to life.

The World Theatre occupies the main floor of the Masonic Temple building at the corner of 24th street and Central Avenue in downtown Kearney. As a stage theatre originally built for the bustling days of vaudeville, it once hosted Al Jolson. The stage lost favor with live performances as the talkies coming out of Hollywood began to sweep the American landscape and enamor the public. Everyday people could take in a movie for as little as a nickel.  The movies could take you to Ancient Rome, the deep, dirty, lawless west, and the bright lights of the big city. All from a seat in the darkness of that converted theatre.

As the decades marched on and Mary Pickford gave way to Joan Crawford, Joan to Jane Fonda and Jane to Meryl Streep, the way we saw movies evolved as often as the changing of the letters on the Marquee.

Concessions and improved production quality demanded a more comfortable environment and The World evolved with the changing times. Perhaps the most notable change The World encountered was in the 1980’s when the theatre was divided to compete with the newly opened four-plex at Hilltop Mall.

The World managed to steam along for another twenty Years as The World Twin. Very little changed inside the theatre proper but for a hastily built wall with little aesthetic value and even less sound baffling insulation. It was common to hear the sounds of the film next door while sitting in one of the theaters on the other side of the wall.

The World sat dark and empty for three years until The World Theatre Foundation began the immense task of bringing the theatre back to its former glory.

With Bokenkamp’s leadership, leases were negotiated, architecture firms and engineers weighed in on the project and the potential costs of such an undertaking. The board rolled up their sleeves and did whatever it took to raise funds, hold gatherings to show the public the potential and the vision for what The World could become. Working from the original blueprints drawn up in 1926, the work began to restore the theatre, possibly the most fun part beginning with knocking down the dividing wall that had made it a twin-theatre not so long before.

With a swaggering economy, naysayers and a bit of a learn as we go mentality, the stars aligned and the master plan began to fall together. Three years of planning. Fund raising, outreach and construction eventually brought The World back to the limelight. In July of 2012, the theatre was Christened with special guest Oscar winning director Alexander Paine and a large crowd of celebratory supporters who saw for the first time, what their time, money and vision made possible.

Since that first night at The World and its first official screening of Some Like it Hot, the community celebrated with an entire weekend of films and curiosity seekers. The World had been saved.

Today, the hundreds of people who made it happen, all in their own way continue to support the theatre. Volunteers are at the core of the inner workings of the theatre and a few hardworking House Managers. The first of these was Bryce Jensen followed by Taylor Moore and its current Manager Mark Treadway. Each took the World to a new level.

Covid was among the challenges the restored theatre would face-which volunteers met one summer with a pop-up drive-in. But The World is a venue that goes beyond the movies. Concerts, live theatre, special occasions, and the occasional meeting are just a few of the events that bring the public in the door. Entry to movies is only $5.00! And, of course, there has been a dedicated board of directors throughout who have carried the torch and the vision of the founders. The current Board in 2024 consists of Michael Pohl-President, Brette Ensz-Vice President, Ryo Suzuki-Treasurer, Jacob Rosdail-Secretary, and members Coy Clark, Sue Haeberle, Bryce Jensen, Patrick Moore, Cindy Rademacher, and Theresa Yaw.

Over the years, the day-by-day progress of the World Theatre is owed in great measure to their Top Twenty All-Star Volunteers: Jimmi Anderson, Marilyn Buttler, Xavier Chavez, Bani Christine, David Cowan, Ciara Eichorst, Val Erpelding, David Hartman, Debbie Hoffman, Steve Jensen, Akshay Kashyap, Anita Loveless, Mark Orr, April Rodehorst, Tammy Rodehorst, Devon Smith, Devin Tubbs, Michelle Tubbs, Codie Wilson, and others who work and support the theatre but choose to remain anonymous.

Brad captures the spirit of one of Kearney’s landmark spaces for the arts and culture of the community. His story puts flesh on the bones of The World Theatre’s mission statement-

-The World Theatre is a nonprofit, volunteer-run theatre. Our mission is to bring you a better alternative to commercial Hollywood fare by celebrating the motion picture as art and to present unique live stage events that are as eclectic and varied as our venue’s vaudeville past-