The official poster for Shelterbelt Theatre’s Christmas Cookies, designed in light blue with festive red and green text. Image courtesy of Shelterbelt Theatre.
By Kaydon Webber
Shelterbelt’s Show “Christmas Cookies” Warms Hearts and Minds
December 15th, 2025
Just as a fresh batch of cookies bakes in the oven, the Shelterbelt Theatre is cooking up new works with its upcoming show, Christmas Cookies. Written by playwright Shayne Kennedy, a Creighton alumna, the show follows the story of a not-so-average Christmas cookie exchange.
The production is a comedy set in an average suburban town and follows Michelle, who is secretly experiencing marital difficulties behind the scenes. With its deeper themes, the show is geared toward audiences in their late teens and up. Christmas Cookies will also mark the first time this version of the script has been performed on stage.
Director Ron Zank describes the show by saying, “It almost feels a little bit like an independent film in a way, so that’s part of what I like about it.”
The deeper themes of the show explore found family and the importance of the people we choose to have in our lives. “It also points to the value of friendship,” Zank continues. “Our friends—our chosen families—can sometimes be the most important to us because they provide our support system, and we choose to be with them.”
This year also marks the first time Shelterbelt Theatre is performing at its new location off Nicholas Street inside the Omar. Christmas Cookies will be showing through December 21. More information can be found at shelterbelt.org.
