Branson Regional Arts Council’s Youth Education Program Receives National Recognition From Playbill.com

  • dateSeptember 23, 2024
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
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The Branson Regional Arts Council was thrilled to be featured today on PLAYBILL.com in a featured PLAYBILLDER Spotlight article entitled: This Production of Disney’sThe Little Mermaid, JR Sold Out Instantly! In a town with nearly 50 theatres, this Branson Regional Arts Council production stood out.

The Spotlight articles highlight shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country who have used Playbill’s program-building service to promote their shows. By welcoming these “PLAYBILLDERS” like the Branson Regional Arts Council center stage, they hope to give their readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life’s big moments.

This week’s featured spotlight focused on our production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, JR. Adapted from the classic Disney animated film, and based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, Alan Menken and Douglas Wright’s musical is about what we sacrifice in the search for love and acceptance. This production was the featured show in our 2024 Summer Youth Institute Theatre Program, where approximately 100 young performers in the Branson area between the ages of 6-18 had the opportunity to work with our skilled BRAC Education staff, Directors, and Staff to present a weekend of SOLD-OUT performances at the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson.

Outgoing Executive Director Jim Barber shared with Playbill all the ways our community theatre is revitalizing Branson, the additional programming needed when the show sold out, and why he’s used PLAYBILLDER 55 times, and counting to create our official programs for each production.

Branson Regional Arts Council’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Marshall Meadows

BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber answered a series of questions posed by Playbill staff writer Dylan Parent regarding the Arts Council, Historic Theatre, and BRAC’s Youth Education Programs.

PLAYBILL QUESTION: “How long have you been running your theatre? What drew you to it?”

Jim Barber: The Branson Regional Arts Council revitalized community theatre in the Ozarks after our 2018 lease and eventual purchase of the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson. Built in 1936, this is Branson’s first theatre venue, and now the official home of community theatre and a vibrant youth arts education program. We are now in our seventh Season of providing year-round community theatre and youth arts education programming with an average of 8-9 mainstage musicals and plays each season, in additional to many special events, films, classes, lectures and programs for youth with special needs or disabilities. Additional information on how we got started can be found here.

Supporting youth theatre and Branson Regional Arts Council productions like The Little Mermaid JR has a positive impact on the personal growth of young individuals, our community, and the arts as a whole. It’s a valuable investment in creativity, education, and cultural enrichment.

Our mission is “to create exceptional artistic, cultural and educational opportunities for our community,” and through the efforts of our board of directors, staff, volunteers and directors, we are helping to nurture creativity, build confidence, foster inclusivity, and engage our community through high quality entertainment and theatre arts education.

Our Conservatory of the Arts Education programming include opportunities for young folks between the ages of 6-18 with summer youth institutes, private and group acting and vocal lessons, as well as our Crescendo and Staccato youth performance troupes who have many performance opportunities throughout the year.

A few years ago, we started our “Special Abilities” program and have worked with area organizations and families to provide training and stage performance opportunities for talented performers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and other types of developmental disability who have a love of singing, acting, dancing, playing an instrument, and more.

To read several more questions and answers in this article about the BRAC Youth Arts Education Program at the Historic Owen Theatre, we recommend that everyone please see the full article on PLAYBILL.com by clicking HERE. Included in the article are several beautiful cast photos taken by Branson photographer Marshall Meadows.

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