Merry Christmas Appreciation From The Branson Regional Arts Council

  • dateDecember 23, 2018
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
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Merry Christmas Appreciation From The Branson Regional Arts Council

2018 has been an exciting year for the Branson Regional Arts Council. After moving into our new home venue of the Historic Owen Theatre, we produced workshops, educational events, film presentations, and 9 major theatrical productions with over 8,500 patrons attending throughout the year.

An estimated 100,000 patrons passed through the Branson Convention Center Art Gallery, and we were honored to be the recipients of the 2018 Charity of the Year award from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

We thank our hundreds of volunteers who helped in so many ways. Our volunteers include visual artists, actors, set builders, ushers, concessions, box office staff, cleaning crew, and more.

In 2018 BRAC received financial Assistance from several sponsors including the Missouri Arts Council and from major donors such as Mrs. Jean Cantwell, Herschend Family Foundation, and Mrs. Barbara Cohn. Our Benefactors included Anne & Mac McGregor, Dr. Arthur & Kim Hale, Marty Schmitt’s Art That Rocks For U, Titanic Museum Attraction, Branson Dental Center, and a new benefactor The Tracks Family Fun Parks. Our Business Patron was Martin Dingman, and our Business Sponsors included Greg & Roz Slavik, Silver Dollar City, Peter Engler Designs, Jim & Jennifer Justus, Doug & Nileen Little, Nathan & Darla Howe, and Michael Horn Attorney at Law.

We also thank our many Buy-A-Seat Donors, Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors, and the hundreds of Branson Regional Arts Council members.

Our new BRAC Conservatory of the Arts Education Team includes:

  • Kim Hale – Educational Advisory Chair/BRAC Vice President
  • Lloyd Alexander-Holt – Director of Vocal Studies
  • Kristen Dasto – Director of Dance Studies
  • Jacob Estes – Director of Musical Theatre
  • Perry Harper – New Vocal Instructor
  • Karie Dykeman – Educational Department Administrative Assistant

We must include a special thank you to our 2018-2019 Board of Directors: Lisa Murphy (President), Kim Hale (Vice Pres), Heather Douglas (CFO), Darlene Graham (Secretary), Clint Cross, Hayden Head, Marty Schmitt, Bonnie Herrmann, Dr. Art Hale, Tina Cool-Anderson, Barbara Walker, Lea Trimble, Rick Uebel, Roz Slavik, and Darla Howe. Also two members who went off the board this year, Patty Slicer and Patti Sanders.

Special thanks to: our attorney Harry Styron, Ron and Diane Mathes with the Historic Owen Theatre, and Marc Mulherin and the staff of the Branson Convention Center who assist with Art Gallery that we promote on behalf of the City, and finally the City of Hollister for all their support with our Shakespeare In The Park productions.

“There are so many hard working folks who I didn’t mention in this video, but they certainly deserve special credit for always going above and beyond for BRAC. Karie Dykeman, Jack Vandewark, Pamela Meadows, Marshall Meadows, Jordan Alexander-Holt, Larry Waggoner, Rich Spoley, Melissa Rivera, Mike Groff, Nick Batey, Michelle Rogers, Stephanie Groff, Kyle & Kellsey Bradley, Nicole Dasto, Lori & Lorie Best, Haley Bertrand, Delyla & Rick Uebel, Jonathan Crum, Dave Yeager, Brian Dasto, Alex Harris, Jessica Luthardt, Dylan Pratt, Todd Aeschliman, Melonie Brown, Josh Silvy, Doug & Nileen Little, Greg & Roz Slavik, Marty Schmitt, Lisa Murphy, Kim & Art Hale… the list goes on and on… WOW! This doesn’t even begin to thank the many terrific actors, parent volunteers, student volunteers. I don’t want to miss anyone, so I’ll just say, if you participated in any way this past year… THANK YOU!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!”

– Jim Barber, BRAC Executive Director

Local area media has been terrific in regards to helping us spread the word to our community.  They include the Branson Tri-Lakes News, Branson Independent, Springfield News Leader, Springfield Business Journal, Taney County Times, Stone County Gazette, area radio stations including KRZK, KHOZ, KLFC, KSMU, and local television stations KY3, KOLR-10, and The Vacation Channel. We are also proud members of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce, and the Hollister Chamber of Commerce.

Visit our website BransonArts.org for info on Memberships, Season Passes, or how to “buy a seat” at the Historic Owen Theatre.

Thank you for a tremendous first season at the Historic Owen Theatre! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

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Ventriloquist Jim Barber And Friends Benefit Show

  • dateDecember 19, 2018
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
  • comment3 Comments
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Ventriloquist and comedian Jim Barber will be presenting a concert of comedy and music on Saturday, January 12th at 2pm and 7pm at the Historic Owen Theatre. The event is a benefit show with 100% of the proceeds going to the Branson Regional Arts Council. Advanced reserve tickets are $14.95 (Adults 18+), and $9.95 (4-17) and can be purchased online at BransonArts.org/tix. A small service charge applies to all ticket sales.

HISTORIC OWEN THEATRE TICKETS

Sharing the stage with Jim will be his friends Melonie Brown, Babette Fogle and Aloha Post who perform together as Harmony Trio, as well as the multi-talented arial violinist Janice Martin from A Janice Martin Cirque Show appearing at the Americana Theatre in 2019. Jim’s 17 year-old daughter Jessica Barber will also be singing in the evening show only, as well as a special appearance by internationally acclaimed juggler Michael Chirrick.

Jim’s unique approach to the art of ventriloquism and his unusual vocal skills have earned him the reputation as one of the most original ventriloquist acts in the world.  He has been featured on many national television shows, most notably, the Late Show with David Letterman.

Jim’s career started in Minneapolis, MN where he co-hosted a local children’s television show (Breakfast with Casey Jones) while attending college at the University of Minnesota. During that time, he also entertained for military troops as host of a USO variety show all across the United States and several Mediterranean countries. Jim then moved to Nashville, TN as a featured performer aboard Opryland USA’s General Jackson Showboat, for two seasons, before setting out on a ten-year tour of comedy clubs and colleges across the country. This led to an invitation to come to Branson as the featured comedian in the Glen Campbell Goodtime Show in the mid-90’s.  Jim went on to perform at the Kirby VanBurch Theatre, Osmond Family Theater, Jimmy Osmond’s American Jukebox Theatre, and eventually a 10-year run at the Hamner Barber Theatre. In 2017 Jim accepted the role of Executive Director of the Branson Regional Arts Council and has since devoted his time and energy to working with a large group of talented volunteers who, together, are developing new and exciting community arts programming for all residents in the Branson Tri-Lakes area.

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Celebrate New Years Eve At Historic Owen Theatre

Celebrate New Years Eve At The Historic Owen Theatre

Ring in the New Year with an incredible show, fantastic food, delicious beverages (including wine and champagne), amazing prizes and auction items, party favors, masquerade masks (for early ticket purchasers) and lots of surprises.

The Branson Regional Arts Council is winding up our FIRST YEAR at the Historic Owen Theatre with an unbelievable event you won’t want to miss!

This is a perfect event for singles, couples, or groups who want to celebrate in one of Branson’s most historic venues, the Owen Theatre.

We are producing theatrical performances that will feature highlights of this year’s productions as well as next year’s shows. Our BRAC Show Choir STACCATO will perform, as well as stars from our 2018 season of musical theatre shows, plus a special performance from the professional acting troupe Forte’, with another of their spectacular cabaret shows with a Masquerade theme! Lots of fun and surprises!

GET NYE TICKETS

The entire event is $19.95 (plus service fee) per person, and proceeds benefit the Branson Regional Arts Council.

Seating is limited, so please get your tickets soon!

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BRAC Announces New Vocal Instructor – Perry Harper

The Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to welcome Perry Davis Harper as our newest vocal instructor to offer private vocal training through the BRAC Conservatory of the Arts program.

Perry Davis Harper is a Paragould, AR, native who is currently performing in his fourth season at Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson. Before coming to Sight and Sound, Mr. Harper traveled the United States singing both Operatic and Musical Theatre repertoire. Some of his favorite roles include Don José from Carmen, Eisenstein from Die Fledermaus and Jean Valjean from Les Misérables.

Perry received his Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Alabama and received his BA in Music with a Minor in Psychology from Arkansas State University.

The Arts Council is excited to have Perry join the BRAC Education faculty, and he is now accepting private vocal students from the Branson Tri-Lakes area who wish to train under his professional direction.

Faculty members of the BRAC Conservatory of the Arts include:

  • Lloyd Alexander Holt – Education Director & Vocal Studies
  • Kristen Dasto – Director of Dance Education
  • Jacob Estes – Director of Theatre Education
  • Perry Davis Harper – Vocal Instructor

All private and group classes are pre-scheduled and held at the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson.

Students of any age who are interested in information regarding lessons in voice, dance or acting, are asked to contact the Arts Council at info@bransonarts.org.

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Miracle On 34th Street At The Historic Owen Theatre

The Branson Regional Arts Council presents, Miracle on 34th Street, a beloved Christmas play for the entire family!

Performances are December 14-16 at the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson. Tickets may be purchased at the door, however, as seating is limited, advance reserved tickets are recommended and available at BransonArts.org/tix. Adult (18+) tickets are $14.95 and Youth (4-17) are $9.95.  A small ticketing service fee applies to each order. 

GET TICKETS

Miracle on 34th Street, the play, is based on the perennial Christmas classic film by the same name. The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City, and focuses on the impact of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa.

L-R: Josh Silvy (Fred Gayley), Laurie Payne (Susan Walker), Kemp Horn (Theatre Lobby Santa), Brenna Bergeron (Doris Walker)

When Kris Kringle, a nice, old man from a retirement home gets a job working as a Christmas Santa at Macy’s, his honest and generous spirit unleashes waves of good will throughout New York City and a hint of magic in the heart of a very practical little girl. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing where his freedom and the joys of childhood fantasy are threatened. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa.

The BRAC Community Theatre stage production stars Laurie Payne and Payton Youngblood, alternating in the role of young Susan Walker, with Lloyd Alexander-Holt portraying the role of Kris Kringle.

Other featured cast members include: Kemp Horn (Lobby Santa/Drunken Santa), Brenna Bergeron (Doris Walker), Josh Silvy (Fred Gayley), Sean Neil Myers (Judge Harper), Kay Marchand (Dr. Pierce), Mindy Law (Shelly Shellhammer), Jeremy James (Albert Sawyer), Dylan Pratt (Finley), Ryann Burton (Ms. Mara), Josslynn Silvy (Janet Mara), Jim Barber (Mr. Macy), Greg Slavik (Mr. Bloomingdale), Carter Hendrickson (Al), Cameron Morrison (Lou), Dakota Cooner (Mr. Duncan), Alex Harris (Halloran), Jeanie Hall (Bag Lady), Cassandra Greenemeyer (Sharon), Audrey Echols (Sharon’s Parent / Pedestrian / Others), Xander Greenemeyer (Johnny), Kylee Moody (Johnny’s Parent / Pedestrian / Others), Sylvie Barbour (Dutch Girl), Rebecca White (Rich Lady / Foster Mother / Others), Ben Stevens (Reporter / Mail Room), Sophie Douglas (Head Elf), Cassandra Carter (Teenager / Elf), Clara Dean (Elf), and Moritz Mund (Reporter / Bud / Pedestrian / Other).

The production team includes: Kimberly Hale & Lisa Murphy (Producers), Lloyd Alexander-Holt (Director / Audio Technician), Karie Kykeman (Assistant Producer), Pamela Meadows (Lighting Design Technician), Jack Vandewark (Stage Manager), Jacob Deeter (Spotlight), Melissa Rivera (Casting Coordinator), Jordan Alexander-Holt (Costumes & Wardrobe), Jacob Estes (Scenic Design), Larry Waggoner (Muralist), Michael Groff & Arthur Hale (Set Construction),  Jim Barber (Marketing Director), Noah Beyer (Videographer), and Marshall Meadows (Photographer).

All ticket proceeds from this production benefit the Branson Regional Arts Council, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

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