Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical!

We still have tickets available for TONIGHT’S 7 PM performance! However, our final show on Sunday at 2 PM is officially SOLD OUT!

Grab your tickets now for tonight’s performance before they’re gone!

👉 Visit BransonArts.org/tix

📞 Or call our box office at 417-336-4255

 

We are thrilled to announce that ticket sales for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical have exceeded our expectations! A heartfelt thank you to our entire community for your incredible support!

Due to the overwhelming turnout, we are running low on printed playbills for the production. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! We’ve created a virtual playbill for your convenience. You can access it easily by scanning the barcode or clicking the link provided.
Thank you for being part of this holiday musical journey. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Classic Movie Night: “The Shop Around the Corner”

Join us for a free Classic Movie Night on Wednesday, December 11th, at 6:30 PM at the Downtown Historic Theater! This special event is sponsored by the Branson Community Improvement District and features the 1940 romantic comedy “The Shop Around the Corner” starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. Don’t miss this timeless film and an evening of community fun. No tickets are required—just bring yourself and enjoy the show. See you at the movies!

Audition Reminder for Matilda the Musical!

Auditions will be held at the Historic Owen Theatre (205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO 65616). Initial Auditions will take place tonight, Sunday December 8th 6:00pm-8:00pm (Ages 8-12) 8:00pm-10:00pm (Ages 13 & up) Or Monday December 9th 5:00pm-7:00pm (Ages 8-12) 7:00pm-9:00pm (Ages 13 & up) If you choose to audition tonight, please keep in mind the Downtown Branson Adoration Parade starts at 5pm and will be directly in front of the Historic Owen Theater.  See you at the Auditions!!

🎭 Important Announcement for December 8th! 🎭
 • White Christmas the Musical:  If you’re attending Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Historic Owen Theatre on Sunday the 8th, please note the show starts at 2 PM. The Branson Adoration Parade begins at 5 PM, so plan ahead for traffic and parking!
 • Matilda the Musical Auditions:
For those auditioning for Matilda the Musical on Sunday the 8th, please arrive early as traffic will be busy, and parking may be more challenging due to parade festivities.
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@bransonarts.org.
We look forward to seeing you at these exciting events! 🎄

Updated Audition Information!! Below are details about the upcoming Matilda auditions! Below, you’ll find key information, including the rehearsal schedule and a link to the full audition announcement, complete with character breakdowns.

Rehearsal Schedule link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yxVsrEE4AN3DcroXVMtRTR9ut1CRZbZZgG5052TJ7qE/edit

For all the details, including character breakdowns and additional information including the full audition announcement, click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YEHAR2XnVcx6BQQmqGtkYIpaZ52A_13uG7i0SB_9uTs/edit

Audition Workshop for Matilda the Musical! 

The Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to announce an audition workshop for our upcoming production of Matilda the Musical! This workshop will provide all performers with the skills and insights they need to succeed at auditions.

Date: Saturday, November 23rd 12noon-1:45pm Ages 8-12     2pm – 4pm Ages 13 and up   Location: Historic Owen Theatre

During this workshop, participants will:
• Learn the audition dance combination
• Explore the show’s vision and discover what directors are seeking for each character
• Receive feedback on audition song choices
• Performers will be taught the audition song and have a chance to work with our Music Director, Julie Brinkman!

Cost: $25 per individual or $50 for an entire family

Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare for your best audition yet! For more information and to reserve your spot, please call the Owen Theatre Box Office at 417-336-4255.

Staccato and Crescendo Showcase Performance Announcement!

We’re thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Staccato and Crescendo Showcase! This exciting event will feature performances from both of our talented youth theater groups, showcasing the hard work and dedication they’ve put into their craft.

Event Details:

 Dates: Friday, November 15th at 7 PM and Saturday, November 16th at 2 PM

 Location: Downtown Historic Owen Theater Located at 205 S. Commercial Street in Branson, MO

Admission is free, but we encourage and appreciate donations. Your contributions will directly support and enhance our educational programs, helping to nurture the next generation of artists.

Our youth performers have been rehearsing tirelessly, and we’re excited to share their talents with you. Seats are expected to fill quickly, so please plan to arrive early to ensure a spot and to support our young entertainers.

Come celebrate their achievements and be part of a wonderful community event!

 

The Branson Regional Arts Council announces open auditions for its 2025 season opening production of Matilda the Musical!

Directed by Kyle Bradley,  Music Direction by Julie Brinkman,  Choreographed by Jake Deck

Auditions will be held at the Historic Owen Theatre (205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO 65616).

Initial Auditions will take place Sunday December 8th 6:00pm-8:00pm (Ages 8-12) 8:00pm-10:00pm (Ages 13 & up)

Or Monday December 9th 5:00pm-7:00pm (Ages 8-12) 7:00pm-9:00pm (Ages 13 & up)

WHAT TO BRING: Those auditioning are asked to bring: A cut of a musical theatre song, no longer than a minute, in the style of the show. Songs from the show are acceptable and are even preferred! Auditionees ages 8-12 should sing the beginning of “When I Grow Up” (Music for that track will be provided at the audition). Bring your own music track to connect to a Bluetooth speaker. No accompanist will be available. Auditionees are asked to stay after their vocal audition for a dance call audition.

Callbacks will take place Tuesday December 10th 5pm-9pm. Those called back will receive scenes & songs to prepare by Monday night. If you have any questions, please call 417-336-4255 or edu@bransonarts.org

Accepting video submissions for those unavailable for in person auditions. Email kylebradley8913@gmail.com

Performance dates at the Historic Owen Theatre are: Feb 13-23 (Th, Fr, Sat @ 7pm, Sun @ 2pm)

ROLE BREAKDOWNS:
Matilda Wormwood (Lead)– Female. Age 10-12. An imaginative girl who is clever and wise far beyond her years. She has a thirst for learning that cannot be quenched and is a fantastic storyteller. Matilda must be mature, and ready to handle a demanding leading role. Strong singer and actor. Vocal range: A3- D5

Miss Agatha Trunchbull (Lead)– Male or Female. Age 30-55. The tyrannical headmistress at Matilda’s school who despises children. Once a famous athlete, she is described as a “gigantic Holy terror”, a “fierce tyrannical monster” who “marches like a storm trooper with long arms swinging” with an “aura of menace”. Must be a strong actor with an imposing presence. Vocal range: A2- G4

Miss Honey (Supporting)– Female. Age 20-40. Matilda’s kindhearted teacher. She befriends Matilda. She is tired of living in fear under Miss Trunchbull. A mild, quiet person who never raises her voice and seldom seems to smile- yet possesses the rare gift of being adored by every small child under her care. She should have a curious warmth that is almost tangible. Vocal range: F3- D5

Mr. Wormwood (Supporting)– Male. Age 35-45. Matilda’s uncaring father. A slimy, greedy used-car salesman. “A mean crooked crook.” Strong comedic acting needed. Vocal range: D3 A4 Mrs. Wormwood (Supporting)– Female. Age 30-45. Matilda’s self-absorbed, negligent mother and an amateur ballroom dancer who is obsessed with her amateur Ballroom dancing partner
and her looks. She has an over-the-top personality who resents Matilda and often berates her. Strong comedic actor, singer & dancer needed. Vocal range: A3- F5

Michael Wormwood (Featured)– Male. Age 12-18. Matilda’s older brother. He is not very bright and favored by their parents. Comedic Actor. Needs good deadpan comedy and the ability to find a character during a lot of stage time with few words.

Mrs. Phelps (Featured)– Female. Age 25-45. The kind Librarian who takes a liking to Matilda. THETEENS/YOUNG ADULTS: (Ensemble)– Male & Female. Ages 12-18 and beyond- A very STRONGgroup of dancers and singers. They are the tough kids at the school and perform the show’s biggest singing and dancing numbers. Speaking, dancing, and singing parts–may play dual roles.

THE ELEMENTARY KIDS (8):

Matilda’s classmates. Various singing, dancing, and speaking roles;

• Bruce (Featured)– Male. Age 8-14. Matilda’s classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Strong singer. Vocal range: C4- E5

• Lavender (Featured)– Female. Age 8-12. Matilda’s classmate and self- proclaimed best friend. Big personality.

• Amanda (Ensemble)– Female. Ages 8-12 Strong dance and vocal ability.

• Alice (Ensemble)– Female. Ages 8-12. Strong and Bold. Strong dance and vocal ability

• Hortensia (Ensemble)– Female. Ages 8-12. Feisty. Strong dance and vocal ability

• Eric (Ensemble)– Male. Ages 8-12. Small. Strong dance and vocal ability.

• Nigel (Ensemble)– Male. Ages 8-12. Spoken dialogue. Strong dance ability.

• Tommy (Ensemble)– Male. Ages 8-12. Strong dance and vocal ability.

ENSEMBLE (10 + Adults, Young Adults, Older Teens) :

Other featured parts with solos & lines. These characters may play numerous roles in the show. Acting, singing, and dance needed for these roles.

•The Escapologist (Ensemble)– Male. A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination. Appears in several numbers. Vocal range: C3- E4

• The Acrobat (Ensemble)– Female. A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination. Vocal range: D4- A4

• Rudolpho (Ensemble)– Male. Mrs. Wormwood’s ballroom dance partner. Strong singer & dancer. Vocal range: D#3- A4

• Doctor (Ensemble)– Male. Mrs. Wormwood’s Doctor when she goes into labor with Matilda. An optimistic and naïve persona. Vocal range C3- A4

• Children’s Entertainer (Ensemble)– A party entertainer at the start of the show. Any “Clown tricks” are a plus. Vocal range: F#3-Eb4

• Cook, Henchman 1, Henchman 2, Henchman 3, Parents

The Branson Regional Arts Council brings an amazingly powerful stage production to the stage of the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Rated PG) is a musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.

Eight public performances are scheduled from October 17-27, 2024 with showtimes at 7pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays) and 2pm (Sundays). Advanced reserved tickets are recommended, and may be purchased online at BransonArts.org/tix or by calling the box office at 417-336-4255.  This is community theatre at it’s best and tickets are $20* (18+) and $12* (4-17). Lap children under the age of 4 are free. (*$3 ticketing service fee applies to all tickets beginning Oct 1, 2024)

HISTORIC OWEN THEATRE TICKETS

The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.

A sweeping score and powerful story make The Hunchback of Notre Dame an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.

The production team includes Kristine Brown and Karie Dykeman (Producers), David Hewitt (Director) , Tom Cartwright and Julie Brinkman (Co-Music Directors).

The cast includes: Christian Anthony Ross (Dom Claude Frollo), Michael Sager (Jehan Frollo), Maddie Hewitt (Florika), Joseph Schumacher (Father Dupin), Josiah Sims (Quasimodo), Tate Gettling (Clopin Trouillefou), Joshua McGeough (Phoebus De Martin), Josh Reed (Frederic Charlu), Kayla Pepper (Esmeralda), River Furgerson (King Louis X), Mindy Law (Madame), Hampton Muse (Saint Aphrodisius), and Jerry Ray Cook, Julie Brinkman , Charis Boulden, Sarah Sutherland, Dimitri Tsahiridis, Juanita Wilson, Brittony Tiger, Cyrsten Rainey-Felley, Rachel Sager as the Congregation.

 

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.

Congratulations to the following cast of our upcoming holiday production, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical! We had over 60 people audition, so unfortunately not everyone were able to be cast. Thank you to all who tried out, and please come audition again in the near future! We have many more incredible productions in the pipeline!

Bob Wallace: Kyle Bradley
Phil Davis: Brennan Knudsen
Betty Haynes: Kellsey Bradley
Judy Haynes: Emily Hanner
General Henry Waverly: Tom Baker
Martha Watson: Cherie Stanley
Susan Waverly: Gwen Tsahiridis/Reagan Hoagland
Rita: Sarah Boehm*
Rhoda: Abby Ingram*
Ezekiel Foster: Lamont Wade
Ralph Sheldrake: Dominic Giannotti*
Snoring Man: Josh Silvy*
Snoring Woman: Jory Knudsen*
Mike: Nathan Sutherland*
Dance Captain Character: LyMartin Chattman*

*Also in ensemble

Ensemble:

Annie Henson, Somer Morace, Melinda Prince, Jason Prince, Brenna Bergeron, Sam Baker, Alivia Prince, Sarah Sutherland, Sarah Williams, Caliope Johnson, Kylee Chandler, Vivian Redington, River Furgerson, Velvet Dougharty, Ella Nelle, Julie Brinkman, Lundyn Mitchell, Sophie Karase

Children’s Ensemble:

Danielle Stanley, Josslynn Silvy, Kate Sutherland

Advance reserved tickets for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical in Branson are on sale now at BransonArts.org/tix or by calling the box office at 417-336-4255.