Daena Schweiger is a multi award winning playwright, director and actress who has been a prominent member of the Omaha theater community since 2002. As a playwright she has penned numerous one-acts plays and two full length dramas, both of which garnered her awards for Outstanding New Script in 2002 and 2014. In addition she has directed 20+ productions over the past 12 years, averaging about 2 shows per year. As if that weren't enough she has also managed to find time to trod the boards, appearing in over a dozen plays, along with a couple independent films and some commercial work during that same span. On the administrative side Daena was the Artistic Director of the Shelterbelt Theatre (dedicated to new, original works) from 2004 - 2006. She is a member of the Theatre Arts Guild in Omaha, and was their newsletter editor from 2002 - 2004. She currently sits on the board of SNAP! Productions as their web designer and social media guru.
It is with sadness that we report iconic film director Tobe Hooper has passed away from natural causes as the age of 74. Hooper, who directed such iconic films as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist, and the 2 part Salem’s Lot television series, is survived by two sons. The Basement on a Hill will have … More Tobe Hooper (1943 – 2017)
It’s all in a name. Several years ago I wanted to direct a play called Women’s Prison Christmas. I didn’t care how bad the script was, I knew the play would sell out due to the title. I mean, who the hell wouldn’t want to see a show called Women’s Prison Christmas? PS: I’m still … More “The Ghoul in School”
I am embarrassed to admit this, but I’m just now getting caught up on The Basement on a Hill podcasts. The really stupid thing is, for months I’ve been trying to figure out what to listen to on my drive to and from work, as the news as of late has been feeding my tendency … More Something Strange is Happening in the Town of Stepford
Today we mourn the loss of one of our genre’s iconic filmmakers – George A. Romero, who passed away late yesterday at the age of 77 after a brief, but aggressive battle with lung cancer. Romero, best known for his zombie series of movies including Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead … More George A. Romero (1940 – 2017)
I was excited to find this film on YouTube without much of a search – I had recently saved it to my Netflix queue (yes, I still get blu-ray discs and dvds from them) to watch for a future blog. The Brood was a movie I knew by title only – I had no idea … More The Brood (1979)
This movie has been sitting on my Tivo since Halloween of LAST YEAR. I saw the 1995 remake when it came out starring Christopher Reeve and Kristie Alley (directed by John Carpenter). At the time I had no idea it was a remake. As a matter of fact, that tidbit escaped me until I was … More Beware of the Stare! Village of the Damned (1960)
I was reminded recently about one of my favorite horror films while channel surfing. I stumbled across one of Jon Gruden’s QB Camp shows on ESPN. I watched for a few moments. I’ve always been a big fan of Gruden’s, especially during his days as the Oakland Raiders coach (his relationship with Bill Callahan not … More It’s Merely Child’s Play
First off, it’s great to be back after a two week hiatus! I thought of all of you from my death bed last Tuesday. Okay, maybe that’s a SLIGHT exaggeration. The sinus infection that knocked me back isn’t completely gone, but I was well enough to travel to the Alamo Drafthouse last Wednesday to view … More A Night You’ll Never Forget
“What do you want?” “Your blood… all over me…” – When a Stranger Calls The 1970s gave us a decade of classic horror films including The Exorcist, Jaws, Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and When a Stranger Calls. What made these films so iconic and scary were the settings and themes. A generation of people refused … More When a Stranger Calls (1979)
As you know, this past weekend was Mother’s Day. This has been a bittersweet day for me the past two years due to the death of my mom in 2015. However, I spent the majority of the weekend doing something my mom absolutely loved – plant a summer garden. I went overboard this year – … More Happy Mother’s Day – Troma Style
Spook du jour 