Since the opening of the Lied Center for Performing Arts in 1990, Dan Stratman and Larry Wathor have been behind the scenes making sure performances by the greatest artists in the world took place with perfection.

The community is invited to celebrate their service and retirement at 1 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Lied Commons. Refreshments will be served as part of the celebration.

A new Stratman and Wathor Lied Center Fund for Production and Facility Improvements has been established at the University of Nebraska Foundation. The Friends of Lied have made a $20,000 pledge to launch the fund, which celebrates the long-term legacy of these two Lied Center professionals.

Individuals who wish to celebrate their legacy can make contributions at the University of Nebraska Foundation. Please include the fund name with any contributions. For more information contact Petrina Suiter at 402-472-7099.

Stratman has been a Lied leader since before the venue opened. He has overseen every performance at the Lied since 1989. His leadership has made sure that every performance has had great sound, lights and top-quality production.

Programs like American Ballet Theater (Firebird), Book of Mormon, Nebraska Music Education Association conference and the International Thespian Festival have all been major successes at the Lied thanks to Stratman. The addition of the Lied Commons, renovation of the Carson Theater areas, roof, floors and draperies replacement and venue updates for The Phantom of the Opera were all overseen by Stratman and the production and facility team.

Beyond the production department, Stratman has been part of the leadership team with every director of the venue since 1990. His supervision of the facility department has played a major role in making sure the Lied Center looks new and operated without complications. Stratman has overseen over 6,000 events at the Lied Center serving millions.

Wathor was a behind-the-scenes superstar of the Lied Center for over 30 years. Many artists and guests who come to the Lied Center think the venue is brand new. The impeccable cleanliness in all areas of the Lied is thanks to Wathor’s management of operations.

He worked countless holidays and vacation breaks due to emergency or unexpected venue problems. Wathor and his team supported every Friends of Lied meeting and special event held at the Lied Center in the past 30 years.

Wathor is a Marine Corps Veteran and he brought his military training and tradition to the upkeep of the Lied Center. The Lied Center for Performing Arts and the more than 10,000 events at the venue that have taken place over the past 30 years have been amazing thanks to Wathor.