🌟 Special Abilities Showcase Performance 🌟

Join us at the Historic Owen Theatre on Sunday, September 7th at 2:00pm for one of the most inspiring events of the year, our Special Abilities Showcase! 🎭✨

This heartfelt performance highlights the incredible talents of our Special Abilities community, and it’s truly one of the highlights of our season. 

🎟 Admission: $10 per person
⭐ FREE for Branson Regional Arts Council Members
(Memberships are only $20 per year! For Membership info, call the Box Office at 417-336-4255)

📍 Seating is first come, first serve, so be sure to arrive early!

Don’t miss this uplifting afternoon of talent, joy, and community at the Historic Owen Theatre!

☂️✨ Audition Notice for Mary Poppins Jr. ✨☂️

Auditions for Mary Poppins Jr. the Musical will be held at the Historic Owen Theatre on Saturday, September 13th.

Click the links below for full details and audition information! 

Click here for all Audition Information

Click here for the Audition Form

   The Branson Regional Arts Council invites you to a night of 10-Minute plays from local authors and actors telling a variety of stories.  Spanning themes from family to eternal relationships and random acts of kindness to world domination, you will find moments to laugh, find hope, and maybe even question your sanity.

The nine shows selected from online submissions are:
* A Change of Color – written by Madison Hatfield and directed by Joshua McGeough 
* Clusterflux (Parts 1 & 2) – written and directed by Ryan Hippe
* Eternity is a Long Time – written by Molly Jones and directed by Mindy Law
* The Harrowing World of 
Artificial Intelligence Dating – written by Tres Tucker and directed by Elijah Lyons
* The Murder- written and directed by William Bressler
* Nuclear Family – written and directed by Elijah Lyons
* Portraits – written by Abby Burlison and directed by Jeremiah Reeve 
* The Strand That Beads You – written by Allison Fradkin and directed by Jeremy Wiggins 

The 2025 10-Minute Play Festival will be held THIS Sunday, August 24th at 7:00 pm.  Seating is general admission, and it’s a free event for BRAC members and only $10 for non BRAC members at the Historic Owen Theatre on Commercial Street in downtown Branson. You can purchase your tickets or show your membership card at the door. Want to find out how you can be a member? Call our box office at 417-336-4255

After holding auditions, we are excited to announce the talented members of our performance groups for the Fall/Winter Season!

Staccato Members – Fall/Winter

  • Abbigail Gunzel

  • Alexandria Bradbury

  • Alivia Prince

  • Avi Martin

  • Brenna Prince

  • Delaney Webb

  • Jason Prince

  • Kaj Swanson

  • Kelsi Stokes

  • Lee Brown

  • London Herbert

  • Maggie Blackstock

  • Payton Sieg

  • Promise Brunson

Crescendo Members – Fall/Winter

  • Reagan Hoagland

  • Kate Sutherland

  • Adelaide Martin

  • Jaselyn Jones

  • Paisley Buttram

  • Gatlin Stuart

  • Grace Stuart

  • Mia Hatten

  • Henley Rosecrans

Congratulations to all of these amazing students! We look forward to an incredible season of music, growth, and performances.

🎬 Two More Free Movie Nights at the Historic Owen Theater! 🎬

The Branson Regional Arts Council invites you to two upcoming FREE movie nights at the Historic Owen Theater!

📅 Friday, August 15th at 6 PM
🎥 Road to Bali
We have upgraded our movie tech equipment, and due to last month’s technical difficulties, we will be featuring Road to Bali once again, this time with a great viewing experience from start to finish!

📅 Friday, August 22nd at 6 PM
🎥 My Favorite Brunette

Admission is absolutely free, our way of thanking our patrons and community for your support. Bring your friends, family, and love for classic films, and enjoy a night at Branson’s most historic venue!

🍿 Historic Owen Theater
205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO

Welcome to Staccato Performance Troupe

Branson Regional Arts Council’s teen musical theatre troupe

Staccato is a dynamic, audition-based performance troupe for passionate teen performers ages 13–18. Based in Branson, Missouri, and led by experienced theatre professionals, Staccato is where young artists come to train, grow, and perform.  This is more than just a class. It’s a team.

Through weekly rehearsals and masterclasses, students receive in-depth instruction in acting, singing, and dance, learning the foundations of musical theatre—and pushing beyond them. We focus on the why behind the performance: making intentional choices, working as an ensemble, and learning how to tell meaningful stories on stage.

● What Makes Staccato Unique?
Triple-Threat Training – Every session includes focused work in voice, acting, and dance, with an emphasis on storytelling, character development, and technique.

● Process-Driven, Performance-Focused – We believe the process is where real growth happens. Each semester ends with a public Showcase Performance, where students share what they’ve learned and shine in front of an audience.

● Ensemble-Minded – We value teamwork, discipline, and respect. This is a place for students\who want to work hard, support each other, and be part of something bigger than themselves.

● Professional Instruction – Our instructors have years of professional performance and directing experience and bring practical insight into what it takes to make it in the theatre field. We coach students with care, high standards, and a lot of heart.

● Opportunities to Grow – As the program grows, so will the opportunities: community outreach, cabarets, regional events, and full-scale productions are all on the horizon.

Who Should Join?
Staccato is for committed teen performers who are excited to stretch their skills and take their craft seriously. Whether you dream of Broadway or want to build confidence for any stage of life, this troupe will challenge and inspire you.

Staccato is a great fit for:
● Students with prior theatre experience looking to go deeper
● Singers or dancers wanting to strengthen acting skills
● Hard-working teens who thrive in a creative, supportive environment
● Young performers who are ready to be part of a focused, fun, and team-oriented group
Staccato might not be a great fit for:
● Students who just want to hang out with their friends
● Young performers who only enjoy theatre when they get the lead
● Teens who are not willing to take risks and sometimes look silly!

 

Rehearsals & Commitment
Fall & Spring Sessions
● Weekly class and rehearsal time at the Owen Theatre on Saturdays from 9am-noon:
○ September 6, 13, 20, 27
○ October 4, 11, 18, 25
○ November 1, 8, 15
● The possibility of extra and/or a longer rehearsal closer to the showcase date, including a final dress rehearsal the day before the showcase on November 20th.
● Culminates each semester (Spring and Fall) in a Showcase open to the public. Our Fall
Showcase dates are:
○ November 21st at 7pm
○ November 22nd at 2pm

● Possible additional performances in community settings, cabarets, and events that are currently optional, but can be great additional performance opportunities.

Please note: This is an audition-based program with limited space. Students are expected to attend regularly, come prepared, and maintain a positive, collaborative attitude. If you know in advance that you will miss more than three rehearsals, you may not be invited to join Staccato. Dress rehearsal and performances are mandatory.

Ready to Join?
Auditions for the 2025–2026 Staccato Performance Troupe will be held on: Saturday, August 16th from
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Come dressed to move—we’ll start with a group dance combination. After the dance portion, each student will perform a 60-second solo song of their choice. Please come prepared with your own song (memorized) and an instrumental backing track on your phone.

Please bring a change of nice clothes for your vocal audition. We’re not looking for perfection—we’re looking for passion, openness, and a team-first mindset. If you’re excited to grow, take creative risks, and make something meaningful with a supportive ensemble,
we can’t wait to meet you!

Tuition for the first semester is $250 * ($50 registration fee + $200 tuition) *Limited scholarships available to qualified candidates.

If you have any questions, please email us at edu@bransonarts.org.

 

 

Crescendo Performance Troupe 2025-2026 Audition Announcement

Calling All Kids ages 7-12 years old!! Come audition to be a part of Branson Regional Arts Council’s 2024-2025 educational youth performance troupe Crescendo

The mission of Crescendo is to provide opportunities to students for growth in performance, character, and service. We strive to equip students with necessary skills, both on and off the stage, through engaging activities and experiences while developing a life-long love of the arts and giving back to the community.

Students will have fun developing their performance skills in the areas of voice, acting, and dance, while gaining new friendships, skills, and increasing their confidence. The students will learn and perform under the direction of their talented and qualified instructors Kellsey Bradley and Julie Brinkman.

Members of Crescendo will meet on a regular basis (see class schedule below) and will be presenting two public showcase performances at the Historic Owen Theatre, November 21 (7pm) and 22 (2pm), 2025.

BRAC’s Crescendo Audition Info:
We are seeking a select number of students 2nd grade to 6th grade for this year’s Crescendo troupe!

Auditions will be held:
● Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9-10:30am
● Historic Owen Theatre (205 S Commercial St, Branson, MO 65616)
Those auditioning will be asked to sing, read, and dance. The dance portion will be a small movement call that will take place at the beginning of the audition followed by individually singing a chorus of “Food Glorious Food” from Oliver! Jr. and performing the monologue titled “The Talent Show”. Auditionees will sing and perform by age (youngest to oldest). Everyone is encouraged to wear clothes that they can move in (Jazz shoes or tennis shoes preferred)

Below are the links to the audition materials:
● “Food Glorious Food” Vocal Track (start track at 1:36, sing through the end)
● “Food Glorious Food” Performance Track
● “The Talent Show” Monologue
We are excited about the interest and growth of our educational opportunities at the theater for the youth in the community! Be on the lookout for more opportunities this semester!

Crescendo Class Schedule (Mondays 4:30 – 6:00pm)
● Aug 25 (with a short parent meeting at the beginning)
● Sept 8, 15, 22, 29
● Oct 6, 13, 20, 27
● Nov 3, 10, 17
● Dress Rehearsal – Nov 20, 2025 (5-9pm)
● Public Showcase Performances – Nov 21, 2025 (7pm) & Nov 22, 2025 (2pm)
● Spring Semester Dates & Performances will be announced later in the semester
Tuition & Fees (if selected):
● $200/Per Semester* ($50 registration fee + $150 tuition)
*Limited Scholarships available to qualified candidates
*Please contact Karie at edu@bransonarts.org or 417-336-4255 with any questions.

🎶 Get Ready to Cut Loose, Branson! 🎶

The Branson Regional Arts Council proudly presents Footloose the Musical opening July 31st at the Historic Owen Theatre and running through August 10th

This high-energy, crowd-pleasing production is packed with classic 80s hits, unforgettable characters, and a story that will have you cheering in your seat. The cast and crew have been working tirelessly to bring this iconic show to life, and it’s shaping up to be one of the highlights of our season!

📅 Show Dates: July 31 – August 10
🎟 Tickets: BransonArts.org/tix
📞 Or call the Box Office at 417-336-4255

Don’t miss your chance to experience the music, the moves, and the magic of Footloose, right here in Downtown Branson at the Historic Owen Theatre! 💃🕺

🎬 Summer Classic Movie Night – FREE Admission! 🎬
Presented by the Branson Regional Arts Council

Join us for our second Summer Classic Movie Night at the beautiful Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson!

🗓 Date: Friday, July 25th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
🎟 Admission: FREE
📍 Location: Historic Owen Theatre
205 S. Commercial Street, Branson, MO

🎞 Now Showing: Road to Bali (1952)
Starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour, this classic musical comedy is full of laughs, songs, and tropical adventure!

Bring your friends and family for a nostalgic evening at the movies in one of Branson’s most historic venues. No tickets required, just show up and enjoy!

For more events and updates, visit BransonArts.org or follow us on Facebook at Branson Regional Arts Council.

🍿 See you at the movies!

🌟 Special Abilities Showcase – Auditions Coming Soon! 🌟
Presented by the Branson Regional Arts Council at the Historic Owen Theatre

🎤 Do you love to sing, dance, act, play an instrument, or perform in your own unique way? We’re inviting talented individuals on the Autism Spectrum, those with Down Syndrome, and others with developmental disabilities to audition for our inspiring Special Abilities Showcase!

This is your moment to shine on stage and share your gift with the community!

🗓 Auditions:
Saturday, August 2, 2025
From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

📍 Where:
Historic Owen Theatre
205 S. Commercial Street, Downtown Branson

🎬 What to Bring:
Prepare a performance piece under 2 minutes that shows off your talent! It can be anything, singing a song, playing an instrument, reciting a monologue, dancing, or any other skill you’d love to share.

🎭 Show Dates:
September 6th & 7th, 2025
Live on stage at the Historic Owen Theatre!

Let’s celebrate the amazing abilities in our community with this joyful, one-of-a-kind production. We can’t wait to see what makes YOU shine!

🔗 Stay tuned for more details at BransonArts.org or follow us on Facebook at Branson Regional Arts Council.

Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to offer the opportunity for actors, dancers, and singers to join us in telling the hilarious, heart-warming, and unhinged story of Shrek: The Musical.

The show includes a variety of roles for performers with most roles open to actors 15+.  We are hoping for a diversity of performers of varying body types, backgrounds, identities, and experience.

Auditions will be held at the Historic Owen Theater, 205 S. Commercial Street, Branson, MO 65616

Sunday, August 3rd @ 6:30 p.m.

and 

Monday, August 4th @ 6:30 p.m.

 

Auditionees only need to attend one of these dates.  Callbacks will be held Tuesday, August 5th for those invited.  

Roles for a Young Shrek and Young Fiona are available to one young male and one young female performer 10+.  These auditions will be held Tuesday, August 5th @ 5:30 pm.

For vocal auditions, please prepare a less than 60 second cut of a musical theatre song in the style of the show that showcases your range and acting skills. You may also sing from the show. Please bring an mp3 track or youtube karaoke track cued up on your smart device. No accompanist will be supplied and no acapella auditions will be allowed.

Performers will be taught a jazz combo following vocal auditions.  A tap selection will also be taught to those interested.  Please wear or bring appropriate clothes and shoes for the dance portion.

 

Performance dates are:

Thursday, October 16 @ 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 17 @ 7:00 p.m. 

Saturday, October 18 @ 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 19 @ 2:00 p.m.

and

Thursday, October 23 @ 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 24 @ 7:00 p.m. 

Saturday, October 25 @ 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 26 @ 2:00 p.m.

 

Please be prepared to provide all conflicts from August 11 through the show dates.  A tentative schedule will be available at or prior to auditions.  All performers should plan to be available for tech rehearsals October 12-15 and must be available for all performances.

If you are unable to attend the auditions in person, please send a self-taped audition including dance, if possible, to Edu@BransonArts.org. Please submit no later than August 4th at 6:00 p.m.

More about the Show

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears.

Characters

Shrek:   

Our story’s title character. A big, green, terrifying ogre who lives alone on a swamp. He embarks on a journey to rid his land of fairytale creatures and, along the way, falls in love with Fiona. Begins as a grumpy hermit, but reveals his layers and eventually becomes the hero.

Gender: male

Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range top: G#4

Vocal range bottom: A2

 

Fiona

The beautiful princess of Far Far Away, she transforms into an ogre every night when the sun sets. Rescued by Shrek and eventually falls in love with him. Quirky, blunt, and multitalented, she is not an ordinary princess.

Gender: female

Age: 20 to 30

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: F3

 

Donkey

A talking donkey who joins Shrek on the run from Farquaad’s guards. Quite the chatterbox, he is not deterred by Shrek’s looks and practically forces himself into his good graces. Easily frightened and pushy, but also an optimistic with heart.

Gender: the role is male presenting

Age: 20 to 35

Vocal range top: B4

Vocal range bottom: C3

 

Lord Farquaad

The comically short, ruthless ruler of Duloc. He is in search of a princes to marry so that he can become king. Has an intensely unfair bias against fairytale creatures that stems from a resentment of his father. Self-absorbed, lonely, and cruel.

Gender: male

Age: 30 to 45

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: B2

 

Dragon

A dragon that has been charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle. She eventually falls in love with Donkey and attempts to keep him there forever. Imposing and flirtatious, but tired of her job as the glorified baby-sitter.

Gender: female

Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range top: Eb5

Vocal range bottom: F3

 

Supporting Characters and Ensemble

(may portray multiple roles)

 

Fairytale Creatures 

Pinnochio

Gingy

Big Bad Wolf

Three Little Pigs

White Rabbit

Sugar Plum Fairy

Peter Pan

Wicked Witch

Ugly Duckling

Three Bears

Mad Hatter

Humpty Dumpty

Elf

Dwarf

Three Blind Mice

Papa & Mama Ogre

Young Shrek

King Harold & Queen Lillian

Young Fiona

Teen Fiona

Angry Mob

Happy People

Guards

Duloc Citizens

Knights

Rats

& Others

🎉 Congratulations to the Cast of Junie B. Jones the Musical! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce the official cast list below! A huge bravo to everyone who auditioned. We are so proud of the talented youth in our community, this cast is bursting with energy and heart!

🎭 Don’t miss this upbeat, hilarious, and heartwarming production coming to the Historic Owen Theatre July 18–20!

🎟 Reserve your seats today at BransonArts.org/tix
📞 Or call the box office at 417-336-4255

We can’t wait to see you at the theatre!

🎭 CAST LIST — Junie B. Jones the Musical

Production Team

  • Nicole Horton – Director

  • Kristin Cartwright – Music Director

  • Aubrie Fewin – Choreographer

  • Pamela Meadows – Education Assistant

Cast

  • Xia McElwee – Junie B. Jones

  • Cassandra Greenamyer – Mother

  • Lee Brown – Daddy

  • Mia Hatten – Lucille / Cheerleader

  • Lyric Sassanella – Camille / Cheerleader

  • Olivia Wangen – Chenille / Cheerleader

  • Ty Sassanella – Tickle the Dog / Shoop Kid

  • Brigham Dickison – Herbert

  • Emmit Johnson – Sheldon

  • Gatlin Stuart – Grace

  • Lexi Carr – Bobbi Jean

  • Jackson Fielder – Mr. Woo / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Henley Rosecrans – May

  • Quinn Maxwell – Lennie

  • Austen Rivera – Jose

  • Grace Stuart – Ms. Scary

  • Lillie Ingram – Shirley

  • Nora Teel – Gladys Gutzman / Cheerleader / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Polly Greenstone – Lunch Student 1 / Cheerleader / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Katy Patton – Lunch Server / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Leah Sizelove – Student 1 / Classroom Kid

  • Violet Maxwell – Student 2 / Classroom Kid

  • Liesel Lahlum – Student 3 / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Paisley Buttram – Student 4 / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Elsie Jones – Student 5 / Cheerleader / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Kamille Bishop – Shoop Kid

  • Rowan Britton – Shoop Kid

  • Kali Deroo – Cheerleader / Lunch-Bus Kid

  • Dani Edmondson – Shoop Kid

  • Kinsley Edmondson – Shoop Kid

  • Emilee Henderson – Cheerleader / Classroom Kid

  • Noah Grace Jones – Classroom Kid

  • Sasha Montoya – Classroom Kid

  • Tillie Rhea – Shoop Kid

🎬 Summer Classic Movie Nights Are Back! 🎬

Join the Branson Regional Arts Council for the return of our Summer Classic Movie Nights, a perfect way to enjoy a timeless film in a Historic setting!

 Free Admission!

📅 Date: Friday, July 11th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Historic Owen Theater
205 S. Commercial Street, Branson, MO

🎥 Featured Film: Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Starring the legendary Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant

🎟️ Admission is FREE, so grab a friend and join us for a fun night of vintage cinema and community!

We’ll see you Friday night at the Historic Owen Theatre for Classic Movie Night! 🍿