The Branson Regional Arts Council announces “Creative Art Class For Kids!,”  a four-day online art class for youth ages 6-16.
These mixed media classes will be offered twice in July and teach collage and painting in a fun and safe setting from the comfort of your own home via your internet connected computer, tablet or smart phone device.
Each class will meet online for one hour a day over four days in a row, Monday through Thursday.

[fac_icon icon=”heart”] BRAC is excited to offer FULL ONLINE SCHOLARSHIP SUMMER ARTS TUITIONS for area students interested in taking these classes free of charge. Visit this link for more information on this scholarship opportunity.

About “Creative Art Class For Kids!”:
Learn to use drawing, painting and collage techniques to bring out your artistic and creative talents! Each class will have a different theme so you will be able to create your own original art at home. This online class offers guided instruction in color mixing, texture, pattern, and composition through Zoom with our experienced certified art teacher, Lisa Murphy.
Week #1 – July 13-16, Monday – Thursday
             Ages 6-11 (Butterflies and Flowers) 10:00am – 11:00am [REGISTER HERE]
             Ages 12-16 (Landscapes) 11:00am – 12:00pm [REGISTER HERE]

Week #2 – July 20-23, Monday – Thursday

              Ages 6-11 (Under the Sea) 10:00am – 11:00am [REGISTER HERE]
              Ages 12-16 (Seascapes) 11:00am – 12:00pm [REGISTER HERE]
Materials Needed: pencil, markers, construction paper, white paper, watercolors, scissors and glue

Meet the instructor:
Lisa Murphy has dedicated her life to promoting the arts in Southwest Missouri. She has been instrumental in guiding the community theatre and the Branson Regional Arts Council and helped lead the way to establishing the Historic Owen Theatre as a home for the arts in our community.

She served on the BRAC Board of Directors in a leadership role, as President and Board Member Emeritus since 2012. After graduating from Missouri State University with a degree in Elementary Education and Art, Lisa pursued graduate studies at Drury University, in Secondary Art and Gifted Education. Her professional career includes teaching at the Springfield Art Museum for five years and teaching in the public schools for over thirty years. She currently teaches Art at The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield. Her professional awards include receiving national recognition in Who’s Who Teacher of the Year, seven times and the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, twice in her career.

Lisa has been proud to call the Ozarks her home for over thirty years. During that time she has been involved in many productions in Branson, as a performer, producer, and marketing coordinator for numerous plays. BRAC productions include: Annie, Chicago, Legally Blonde, and The Wizard of Oz, just to name a few. She believes the greatest accomplishment of her lifetime to be her family and feels very fortunate and proud to have their love and support. She and her husband Bill have two daughters, Jenna and Michelle, who both graduated from Branson High School. Lisa currently serves on several
committees for the Branson Regional Arts Council and as the BRAC Education Advisor. She is honored to have the opportunity to promote the arts for people of all ages in our community.

Quarantine Cat Film Fest Benefits Branson Regional Arts Council’s Historic Owen Theatre

A new online cat video movie made its virtual world premiere on June 19, and proceeds will help keep the Historic Owen Theatre afloat amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Filmmakers sifted through more than 1,100 submissions from across the world to create Quarantine Cat Video Film Festival— a 70-minute compilation cat feature that is now available to watch at home through virtual cinema.

The film brings together the cutest, funniest, bravest, and most loving cat videos exclusively filmed during the 2020 quarantine. Its release is through virtual cinema – a new tool used by cinemas nationwide to sell tickets for newly released films that customers can watch at home.

The response has been better than we could have ever hoped and we have so much great content to work with. It’s going to be a really fun feature with hilarious and adventurous cats and, of course, some adorable kittens too. – Brian Mendelssohn, Film Director

Quarantine Cat Film Fest was developed to help bring digital revenue to independent theaters during the COVID-19 closures. More than 60 independent theatre houses, most of which were closed this spring, signed on to show the movie through virtual cinema. Half of the $12 ticket will go directly back to the theater screening it through its virtual cinema portal.

The pandemic forced the Branson Regional Arts Council to close the Historic Owen Theatre last March, yet our expenses to lease and maintain the facility have continued without any productions to help support our efforts. Until we are able to safely welcome audiences back into this 200 seat venue, we are relying on virtual education classes in the arts and outdoor events to entertain our area residents. This online film fest is a fun and unique way to assist in our ongoing fundraising activities. – Jim Barber, Executive Director of the Arts Council


Unlike most virtual cinema films, Quarantine Cat Film Festival was created and distributed through Row House Cinema, an 84-seat independently owned theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mendelssohn, who also owns Row House Cinema, and his wife came up with the idea at the beginning of the quarantine when they were watching their own cats, Oliver and Isabella, play at home.

“We thought, if everyone is stuck inside with our cats anyway we might as well start filming the hilarious things they do and make a cat movie” said Mendelssohn.

Virtual cinema ticket sales for Quarantine Cat Film Festival in support of the Historic Owen Theatre can be purchased securely online now at BransonArts.org/meow.

GET QUARANTINE CAT TICKETS HERE

Just The Facts:

  • Quarantine Cat Film Festival invites viewers watch adorable cat videos at home while supporting their local theatre venue.
  • More than 1,100 cat videos were submitted for the compilation film Quarantine Cat Film Festival.
  • Ticket sales will help support more than 60 small, independently owned and historic venues across the country, including the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson, MO.
  • Purchase your virtual film ticket at BransonArts.org/meow

The Branson Regional Arts Council continues it’s online education program with another series of it’s popular watercolor landscape art classes this July 7th with master painting instructor Jessica Lowe.

[fac_icon icon=”heart” font_size=”24″] Watch this sample video for a brief sample of this exciting and creative course in watercolor landscape painting which is taught LIVE via Zoom Video Conferencing!

These interactive zoom video classes will focus on Watercolor Landscape Painting techniques, and students will learn to create a new and unique painting each week, while developing their artistic skills in a fun and safe manner from the comfort of their own homes.

Course Description: This is a 4 week online LIVE course where students join the instructor for 1 hour each week to practice watercolor landscape painting.

After you sign up you will get access to:

  • Amazon linked shopping list to order your art supplies! [View Shopping List Now]
  • Two pre-instructional streaming videos about watercolor techniques and tools!
  • One beginners project streaming video to practice with!
  • Four Live Interactive Online Courses with Jessica Lowe!!!!

[fac_icon icon=”calendar” font_size=”24″] July 2020 – Landscape Painting with Jessica Lowe

  • Live Sessions: Tuesdays (July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2020) 6pm – 7pm.
  • Class size limited to the first 8 registrants.
CLICK TO REGISTER FOR JULY WATERCOLOR CLASS

Registration is only $40 per student – designed for adults and high school age students (16 years +). Painting supplies not included in registration fee.

Each live session will last for 1 hour. Students will be sent a private Zoom Video link so they may interact with the instructor via their computer, pad or smart phone device.


Meet the instructor Jessica Lowe…
Jessica works with a variety of media and creates artworks that focus on nature and portraiture.

Jessica Lowe – Art Instructor

Jessica was born in Wichita, KS and moved to Missouri at the age of 10. At age 13 she began her formal training as an artist, working under local veteran artist Sam Hull for 2.5 years.

Graduating from Branson High School, she went on to continue her education at Missouri State University, gaining her BSED in Fine Art in 2015.

She taught High School Art for 4 years at Forsyth High School before deciding to pursue life as an artist-full-time. She is currently working as a free lance commissioned artist creating pieces for patrons, as well as developing her own work.

NOTE: We have extended the start of Summer Online Arts Classes by one-week to allow for additional students to participate in the scholarship program who could not attend the previous week. All classes will now begin the week of July 6, 2020.

The Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to offer full financial scholarships for any Branson/Springfield area youth between the ages of 5 and 18 who are interested in participating in a variety of upcoming online summer education classes taught by instructors Amelia Parish and Lisa Murphy. We have NINE DIFFERENT CLASSES to select from. Enroll for one, or more!

These online theatre classes, normally priced at $40 per student, include beginning and advanced acting, visual arts, creative writing, music basics, as well as comedy improvisation techniques. Scholarship students may register for one or more of the classes free of charge (see class descriptions and age ranges below). Classes may have a limit on how many students are able to participate, so early registration is recommended.

[fac_icon icon=”heart”] How to request this scholarship...
Interested parents or students are asked to email the Branson Regional Arts Council at info@bransonarts.org and include your student(s) name, age, the city in which you reside full time, and list which class or classes you are interested in registering for.

Qualified individuals will be sent a unique scholarship code allowing them to register online without any form of payment required.

BRAC’s Summer Online Education Classes Include:


Theatre Makers 1!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Mondays, 1pm-2pm (Ages 5-12)
Dates: July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2020

Are you a thespian just waiting to blossom? Are you eager to explore the art of acting and theatre? Have you already been bitten by the acting bug and want to get even better? Regardless of your previous experience, you will take a huge step forward in this class! This will be a thorough introduction to the art of acting, technique and finding material that excites us a young artists!
Click here for more information on this class.


Theatre Makers 2!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Mondays, 3pm-4pm (Ages 12+)
Dates: July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2020

Ah, all the worlds a stage and all the men and women merely players… truer words were ne’er spoken!

Students of this acting and theatre workshop will learn the importance of developing their own unique approach to their work, helpful rehearsal tools and get notes and class coachings to polish up material for a professional acting reel.
Click here for more information on this class.


Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Tuesdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 12-18)
Dates: July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2020

Do you love watching scary movies…and secretly wish you could write one? Or STAR in one? What about BOTH? Let’s read some of the classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Shwartz, and allow them to inspire original adaptations of our own — and along the way, let’s learn how to utilize jump scares, tension building, basic special effects and creative writing to write and record our own short horror film by the end of this class!
Click here for more information on this class.


Jam Session!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm (all ages)
Dates: July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2020

If you have an instrument (piano/guitar/ukulele), we have the class for you! “Fake it till you make it” is an artform musicians at any level can harness and utilize to elevate their performances, and after this class you will be feeling confident enough to play and sing to your hearts’ content — we will learn the basics of chord diagrams, tablature, arrangement and creative musicianship to have you singing and accompanying yourself in no time! And we’ll all join in together, and have a good old fashioned jam session!
Click here for more information on this class.


Intro To Improv!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Thursdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm (For all Ages)
Dates: July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2020
Let’s make stuff up! Learn the basics of Chicago style improv to sharpen your performance skills, quick wittedness, and become the best conversationalist in any social setting! We will explore the concept of recognizing comedic game, playing at the top of our intelligence, active listening and support to “yes-and” our way to improvised scenes. By the end of this class, students will be ready to move on to Intermediate Improv and beyond!
Click here for more information on this class.


Creative Art Class For Kids! – Butterflies & Flowersinstructor Lisa Murphy
Monday thru Thursday, 10:00am-11:00am (ages 6-11)
Dates: July 13, 14, 15, 16, 2020
Learn to use drawing, painting and collage techniques to bring out your artistic and creative talents! Each class will have a different theme so you will be able to create your own original art at home. This online class offers guided instruction in color mixing, texture, pattern, and composition through Zoom with an experienced certified art teacher.
Click here for more information on this class.


Creative Art Class For Kids! – Landscapesinstructor Lisa Murphy
Monday thru Thursday, 11:00am-12:00pm (ages 12-16)
Dates: July 13, 14, 15, 16, 2020
Learn to use drawing, painting and collage techniques to bring out your artistic and creative talents! Each class will have a different theme so you will be able to create your own original art at home. This online class offers guided instruction in color mixing, texture, pattern, and composition through Zoom with an experienced certified art teacher.
Click here for more information on this class.


Creative Art Class For Kids! – Under The Seainstructor Lisa Murphy
Monday thru Thursday, 1o:00am-11:00am (ages 6-11)
Dates: July 20, 21, 22, 23, 2020
Learn to use drawing, painting and collage techniques to bring out your artistic and creative talents! Each class will have a different theme so you will be able to create your own original art at home. This online class offers guided instruction in color mixing, texture, pattern, and composition through Zoom with an experienced certified art teacher.
Click here for more information on this class.


Creative Art Class For Kids! – Seascapesinstructor Lisa Murphy
Monday thru Thursday, 11:00am-12:00pm (ages 12-16)
Dates: July 20, 21, 22, 23, 2020
Learn to use drawing, painting and collage techniques to bring out your artistic and creative talents! Each class will have a different theme so you will be able to create your own original art at home. This online class offers guided instruction in color mixing, texture, pattern, and composition through Zoom with an experienced certified art teacher.
Click here for more information on this class.


Visit BransonArts.org/artclass for information on all the various online classes currently offered by the Branson Regional Arts Council.

The Branson Regional Arts Council presents a free community concert for all area residents on Saturday, June 27th beginning at 7:00 pm at Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park in Hollister, MO.

“Harmony Trio Salutes America!” features the beautiful patriotic vocals of Harmony Trio (Babette Fogle, Melonie Barber, Aloha Post); live music from world-renowned concert pianist Delyla Uebel; classic songs from star of the All Hands On Deck Show, Jody Madaras; musical song and dance from television and broadway star Peggy Lee Brennan and her husband Goeff Haberer, direct from their From Broadway To Hollywood To Branson show; sensational saxophone music by professional musician Gary Dooms; and the hilarious comedy of ventriloquist Jim Barber & Seville!

This will be a fun, family-friendly variety show presented outdoors on the covered stage at Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Park, 312 Esplanade Dr, Hollister, MO 65672 (next to Hollister City Hall) on Saturday, June 27, 2020. The concert is expected to run approximately two hours.

Guests are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the grass. Social distance seating will be implemented, and the audience and all event volunteer workers are encouraged to wear facial masks when entering or exiting the park, especially if social distancing is not possible. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the BRAC concessions tent, but guests are allowed to bring their own snacks or drinks in non-glass containers.

In case of rain that evening, the concert will be postponed to a future date.

Bring your family and friends, and get ready to celebrate our freedom and country just one week ahead of Independence Day.

For more information about the Branson Regional Arts Council, visit BransonArts.org.

NOTE: We have extended the start of Summer Online Arts Classes by one-week to allow for additional students to participate in the scholarship program who could not attend the previous week. All classes will now begin the week of July 6, 2020.

The Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to announce a new series of affordable online education classes providing at-home learning opportunities in theatre, improv, music, script writing and visual arts. Some of the classes are designed for younger kids, while many others for teens and adults. All classes begin during the week of July 6th.

Class Registrations for these fun and unique courses are only $10 per session, with four sessions included with each course.  That’s $40 total registration per student for each 4 week course.

[fac_icon icon=”heart”] Full scholarship opportunities are available for students who reside in the Branson/Springfield region. CLICK HERE for scholarship information.

“We are thrilled to welcome Amelia Jo Parish to our Branson Regional Arts Council Arts Education program,” said BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber, adding, “her professional experience in professional theatre, comedy improv, fine arts and humanities is a wonderful addition to our team of outstanding visual art, theatre, dance and vocal instructors.”

Amelia’s is an artist based in Nixa, Missouri and studied at Drury University and Webster University as well as performed improve with the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in New York City. She has performed at The Muny (St. Louis, MO), The Goodspeed Opera House (Connecticut), The Paramount (New York) and other theatres across the country. She also currently serves at the Literary Manager for the Firebrand Theatre Company based in Chicago, Illinois.

Student registrations may be filled out from the links below, and paid via credit card or by mailing a personal check to: BRAC, P.O. Box 2004, Branson, MO 65615.

Secure registration is now open for the following online arts classes with Amelia Jo Parish:


Theatre Makers 1!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Mondays, 1pm-2pm (Ages 5-12)
Dates: July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2020

Are you a thespian just waiting to blossom? Are you eager to explore the art of acting and theatre? Have you already been bitten by the acting bug and want to get even better? Regardless of your previous experience, you will take a huge step forward in this class! This will be a thorough introduction to the art of acting, technique and finding material that excites us a young artists!
Click here for more information on this class.


Theatre Makers 2!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Mondays, 3pm-4pm (Ages 12+)
Dates: July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2020

Ah, all the worlds a stage and all the men and women merely players… truer words were ne’er spoken!

Students of this acting and theatre workshop will learn the importance of developing their own unique approach to their work, helpful rehearsal tools and get notes and class coachings to polish up material for a professional acting reel.
Click here for more information on this class.


Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Tuesdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm (Ages 12-18)
Dates: July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2020

Do you love watching scary movies…and secretly wish you could write one? Or STAR in one? What about BOTH? Let’s read some of the classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Shwartz, and allow them to inspire original adaptations of our own — and along the way, let’s learn how to utilize jump scares, tension building, basic special effects and creative writing to write and record our own short horror film by the end of this class!
Click here for more information on this class.


Jam Session!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm (all ages)
Dates: July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2020

If you have an instrument (piano/guitar/ukulele), we have the class for you! “Fake it till you make it” is an artform musicians at any level can harness and utilize to elevate their performances, and after this class you will be feeling confident enough to play and sing to your hearts’ content — we will learn the basics of chord diagrams, tablature, arrangement and creative musicianship to have you singing and accompanying yourself in no time! And we’ll all join in together, and have a good old fashioned jam session!
Click here for more information on this class.


Intro To Improv!instructor Amelia Jo Parish
Thursdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm (open to all ages)
Dates: July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2020
Let’s make stuff up! Learn the basics of Chicago style improv to sharpen your performance skills, quick wittedness, and become the best conversationalist in any social setting! We will explore the concept of recognizing comedic game, playing at the top of our intelligence, active listening and support to “yes-and” our way to improvised scenes. By the end of this class, students will be ready to move on to Intermediate Improv and beyond!
Click here for more information on this class.


BRAC also reminds all painting enthusiasts to participate in our upcoming July series of Watercolor Landscape Painting Courses taught by professional artist Jessica Lowe. Early registration is recommended as class size is limited.

Visit BransonArts.org/artclass for information on all the various online classes currently offered by the Branson Regional Arts Council.

The Branson Regional Arts Council’s Youth Education Department invites all teens between the ages of 12-18 to participate in our ONLINE AUDITIONS for Staccato Show Choir on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 3pm.

Register today to audition for this exciting, high-energy performance troupe!

Visit BransonArts.org/onlineauditions for registration information.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE AUDITIONS

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE THE WORKSHOP…

Each participant will need to prepare 32 bars of a pop or pop contemporary musical theatre vocal selection. You will present your vocal selection live, via a Zoom video conference, for our BRAC Youth Education Staff.

We will provide all registrants a link to the audition choreography video so you will have an opportunity to work on it in advance.

  • Zoom Meeting link for the audition will be emailed automatically when you register.

You must provide your own music and sound during the zoom auditions by playing from your computer or another device. You may attend this zoom conference on a laptop or desktop computer, smart phone or pad device.