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Open Auditions for Disney’s Little Mermaid at Historic Owen Theatre

  • dateNovember 17, 2021
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
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The Branson Regional Arts Council is holding open auditions for their February 2022 live musical theatre production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid on December 16, 17 and 18, 2021 at the Historic Owen Theatre.

  • When: Thursday, Dec 16, Friday Dec 17, & Saturday Dec 18, 2021
  • Where: Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO 65616
  • Time: 5:00 – 10:00 PM (sign up for a one-hour slot here)
  • What to Bring: 60 Second Singing Audition in the musical style of the show. Bring your own tracks (on your phone or player).
  • Also Bring: Printed headshot (if you have one) & Acting Resume (if you have one).
  • Clothing for Audition: Bring comfortable shoes you can dance in as well as a change of clothes you can move and dance in.
  • Dance Requirements: Jazz, Contemporary, Partnering and Tap

Scheduled auditions will be held in groups of ten per hour, with a dance call run through during the last 15 mins of each group.

Click the button below or follow this link to register for an audition date and time slot.

There will be seventeen (17) public performances of The Little Mermaid from February 10 – 27, 2022. The rehearsal schedule will be discussed at each audition time. Some roles may be double cast to allow scheduling flexibility, and actors of all ages are encouraged to audition. This is a community theatre production and actors are not paid to participate, as is standard with all BRAC productions.

Director: Jacob Deck

For additional information or questions, please contact Karie at edu@bransonarts.org.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”

Casting

Cast Size: Medium (11 to 20+ performers – subject to change)
Cast Type: Adults & Children
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Ariel
A mermaid and King Triton’s youngest daughter. She is obsessed with everything about the human world, and dreams of becoming a part of life above the water. Hardheaded, naive, and emotional, but also kind hearted.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: Gb5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Prince Eric
A human monarch who has no interest of taking the crown. A handsome, affable lad with a buoyant, adventurous nature. After Ariel saves his life, he becomes obsessed with finding her and hearing her voice once more.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Grimsby
Prince Eric’s British guardian. Droll, stuffy, and constantly urging Eric towards his royal duties, specifically marriage.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Flounder
A fish and smitten with Ariel, his best friend. Rambunctious but cautious, fearful of the dangers that lurk in and above the water.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Scuttle
A disheveled seagull and expert in human artifacts. Loudmouthed, optimistic, and a bit ignorant, despite his supposed expertise.
Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
King Triton
King of the Sea and Ariel’s father. Beneath his imposing presence and commanding nature lurks a harried single father who will do anything to protect his daughters. The death of his wife has also given him an irrational fear of humans.
Gender: Male
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Sebastian
A crab and advisor to King Triton. A musical virtuoso who is constantly distraught from keeping after Ariel. Despite his paranoia, he can’t bring himself to stand in Ariel’s way.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Flotsam
An eel and one of Ursula’s lackeys. Oily and spineless, he will say anything you want or need to hear.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Jetsam
An eel and one of Ursula’s lackeys. Oily and spineless, he will say anything you want or need to hear.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Ursula
The banished Sea Witch and sister of King Triton. Supposedly spurned at childhood, she will use whatever method necessary to steal the kingdom and claim it as her own. Malevolent, calculating, and deceptive.
Gender: Female
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Chef Louis
The French palace chef, diabolical and violent. A culinary perfectionist with an affinity for blades, seafood in particular.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Ensemble
Crew Members (Pilot, Sailors); Sea Creatures; Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana); Gulls; Maids; Chefs; Animals; Princesses
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City of Branson Receives 2022 Missouri Arts Award

The Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to share an exciting announcement from the Missouri Arts Council, naming the City of Branson as Missouri’s 2022 recipient of the “Creative Community” award. [click for official announcement]

Since 1983, the Missouri Arts Council and the State of Missouri have been honoring our state’s arts heroes—the people who make the arts happen.

The 2022 honorees are:

Creative Community | Branson

Southwestern Missouri city that since the 1960’s has burgeoned into a national tourism magnet centered on theater, traditional Ozark arts, and especially music—now boasting nearly 40 theaters along nine miles east to west, from the 1936 Historic Owen Theatre in Branson’s historic downtown to the Silver Dollar City theme park’s outdoor amphitheater, that each week present more than 100 shows of country, pop, swing, rock, bluegrass, Broadway, and gospel music, plus magic, circus, comedy, and drama.

Arts Organization | Kansas City Public Theatre

Four-year-old professional theater company that has already made its mark through its mission of deploying “Radical Hospitality” to provide theater to every person: presenting all shows free of charge in a variety of accessible locations, performing plays both classic and contemporary that are topical and full of diverse actors and stories, hiring area playwrights for the Theatre Lab series of staged readings and small productions, and further building community through audience conversations and local partnerships.

Individual Artist | Carmen Sofia Dence, St. Louis

Dancer, choreographer, teacher, costume designer and maker, arts volunteer, community champion, five-time Master Artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program of the Missouri Folk Arts Program—a shining light of Missouri’s dance community for decades; born in Columbia, a St. Louisan since 1976; devoted to preserving and sharing the music, dance, and folklore of her homeland especially through the Grupo Atlántico performance troupe she founded in 1995 and continues to direct.

Leadership in the Arts | Jeffrey J. Bentley, Kansas City

Executive director of Kansas City Ballet since 1998, who has taken the company on a constantly rising path to serve its vision of “outstanding dance experiences accessible to all”: leading it to quintuple its budget, quadruple its school, construct its own permanent home, build a substantial endowment, expand community engagement and education programs, diversify its artistic offerings, and most recently, keep dancers and staff employed and audiences involved during the pandemic shutdown of live performances.

Philanthropy | Kathie and Richard Winter, St. Louis

Longtime arts supporters who exemplify the classic contribution of time, talent, and treasure to benefit an array of St. Louis organizations—serving individually and together, past and present, as board members and officers, committee members and chairs, fundraising leaders, and financial mainstays of Big Muddy Dance Company, Dance St. Louis, Grand Center Arts District, Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, Springboard to Learning, Stray Dog Theatre, St. Louis University Museum of Art and more.

CHOOSING THE HONOREES

An independent panel of Missourians representing the arts community throughout the state selects the honorees from among public nominations. These panelists chose the 2022 honorees:

•  Kelly Downes, Cape Girardeau; director, Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
•  Sarah Dresser, Columbia; manager, Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Columbia
•  Priya Kambli, Kirksville; professor of art, Truman State University; 2021 Individual Artist honoree
•  Jorge Leyva, Joplin; 2018 signature image artist
•  Cecilia Nadal, St. Louis; founder and executive director, Gitana Productions, St. Louis; 2019 Leadership in the Arts honoree
•  Alison Schieber, St. Joseph; president, Missouri Citizens for the Arts
•  Laura Shultz, Kansas City; retired executive director, Northeast Community Center / Harmony Project KC; 2021 Leadership in the Arts honoree

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Five Star Talent Contest Finalists Announced

Out of nearly 100 entrants, Ten Top Finalists have earned their spot in the Ozarks Dynacom Five Star Talent Contest Final Show on November 20th at the Presley’s Country Jubilee Theatre!

The top finalists of the semi-final competitions held last week at the Historic Owen Theater in Branson and the Historic Lyric Theater in Harrison are:

  • Kentucky Just Us
  • Ron Preston
  • Erin Payne
  • Diana Rockwell & Minnie Doughnut
  • The Crays Twins
  • Lisa Straka
  • Jake and Mikayla
  • Bri Coleman
  • Jazz! Quartet
  • Erich Eastman

The final talent show is Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 2:00pm at the Presley’s Country Jubilee Theater, 2920 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616. The super talented contestants will be competing for a $1,000 cash grand prize along with an appearance on “Branson Country USA,” a nationally syndicated television show produced at Grand Country in Branson, Missouri.

$10 General Admission Tickets are on sale now through the Branson Regional Arts Council and Ozarks Arts Council through the links below. Seating is limited, so get your tickets in advance and support the Arts in the Ozarks!

[fac_icon icon=”star”] CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FINALS TICKETS (benefits Branson Regional Arts Council)
[fac_icon icon=”star-o”] CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FINALS TICKETS (benefits Ozarks Arts Council)

The Ozarks Dynacom Five Star Talent Show is presented by Connell Insurance and also supported in part by Explore Harrison.

BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber (front center) was the Master of Ceremonies for the Branson Semi-Finals show along with celebrity judges (left to right) David Cassavitis, Marshall Howden, Shelly Waggener-Walters, and Doug Gabriel.  The Branson finalists were Kentucky Just Us (backrow), Ron Preston (middle left), the Crays Twins (c), Erin Payne, and Diana Rockwell (middle right).

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Meet The Semi-Finalists Of The Five-Star Talent Contest

After nearly 100 contestants submitted their audition videos, the votes are in! The finalists who will be competing in the Semi-Finals of the 1st annual Ozarks DynaCom Five-Star Talent Contest have been announced! Prepare to cheer them on to victory by reserving your seats for one or both of the exciting competitions in Branson, Missouri and Harrison, Arkansas.

A combination of audience voting and professional judging will selected the winners. Two, separate and unique groups of semi-finalists will compete on November 5th at the Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial in Branson and on November 6th at the Historic Lyric Theater at 115 W. Rush in Harrison, Arkansas. Both semi-final shows begin at 7:00 PM with tickets available for sale on the arts councils’ websites: BransonArts.org/tix and TheLyricHarrison.org.

Tickets are $17 (Adults 18+) and $14 (Youth 4-17). No charge for lap children age 0-3.

Featured performers in the Branson Semi-Final Talent Show include: Kentucky Just Us, Jason Wise, Jake White, Wally West, Ellie Faggion, Erin Payne, Ron Preston, the Crays Twins, Diana Rockwell & Minnie Donut, Sophie Douglas, Pace Gillman, Abby Wheeler, Jake Cantrell, Colony Hannon, and Mathan Pennington. There will also be a special (non-competing) performance by Harmony Trio and Staccato Show Choir. The show will be hosted by Jim Barber, the Executive Director of the Branson Regional Arts Council and morning radio host at Branson4U.com 98.1FM.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE BRANSON SHOW! (ticket proceeds benefit the BRAC)

Featured performers in the Harrison Semi-Final Talent Show include: Beaux Jenkins, Russell Joyner, Erich Eastman, Hailey Hance, Jazz! Quartet, Bri Coleman, Joey Herd, Tim Martin, Jake & Mikayla, Lisa Straka, Anna Eastman, Krystiahna Goode, and Joshua Evans.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE HARRISON SHOW! (ticket proceeds benefit the Ozark Arts Council)

We remind you that all ticket proceeds benefit the Arts Council that is hosting each performance. Please help us continue to provide community arts events through your purchase of a ticket to these exciting talent shows.

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Presley’s Theatre To Host Five-Star Talent Show Finals

Ozarks DynaCom, a multi-media and communications company in the central Ozarks region, has announced live show details for their new Five Star Talent Contest underway this year. Contestants submitted videos to enter online, the public voted for their favorites through October 10, and now the live semi-final and final show details are confirmed.

The Presleys’ Theater in Branson, Missouri will host the championship final round of the Ozarks DynaCom FiveStar Talent Contest on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 2:00 P.M.

Tickets for the Semi-Finals are available NOW at the links below. Tickets for the talent show FINALS will be available soon.

Produced in collaboration with the Branson Regional Arts Council and the Ozark Arts Council based in Harrison, Arkansas, the regional talent competition has been underway since August 16. Ticket sales from three live talent shows will benefit the two arts councils that work to keep arts and culture alive in our region.

“We’re delighted to help support the striving artists in our area and these two great nonprofits who have supported culture and arts in the Ozarks for many years. We are longtime advocates of talent and the arts in the Ozarks, so providing a first-class venue for this competition and fundraiser is a natural fit for our entertainment business, celebrating 54 years in Branson this season.”

– Steve Presley, entertainer and co-owner, Presleys’ Country Jubilee

Semi-Finals Tickets On-Sale Now…

A combination of audience voting and professional judging will selected the winners. Two, separate and unique groups of semi-finalists will compete on November 5th at the Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial in Branson and on November 6th at the Historic Lyric Theater at 115 W. Rush in Harrison, Arkansas. Both semi-final shows begin at 7:00 PM with tickets available for sale on the arts councils’ websites: BransonArts.org/tix and TheLyricHarrison.org.

“The best of the best will compete at the Presleys’ landmark theater on November 20th. Along with the contest’s presenting sponsor, Connell Insurance, we will celebrate some amazing talent and award $1,000 in cash and an appearance on Grand Country USA to the ultimate winner.”

– Steve Willoughby, General Manager of Ozarks DynaCom

For more information go to OzarksDynaCom.com and all five of their radio stations and related online and social media outlets. Updates on the contest will be provided on air, online and via social media throughout the duration of the competition.

Ozarks Dynacom Stations

About Ozarks DynaCom


Ozarks DynaCom is a multi-media and communications company reaching and engaging a population of 200 thousand throughout the Central Ozarks region by way of five, long-standing radio stations, several social and digital platforms and a variety of strong, strategic partnerships. Ozarks DynaCom offers integrated marketing and communication services and delivers the power of connectivity on a regional scale with Legends 106.3, New Country 102.9 and My 100.1, plus localized focus with The Original KHOZ 94.9 in Harrison and Branson4U 98.1.

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The Tempest Is A Shakespearean Hit In Hollister

The Branson Regional Arts Council is getting rave reviews of it’s 4th Annual Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest. 

Final Performances: Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park, 312 Esplanade Dr., Hollister, MO

  • Sunday – Oct 3 – 8pm
  • Monday – Oct 4 – 8pm
Family friendly production!
Tickets are$10(Adults 18+),$5(Students with ID, or Youth 4-17)
“Amazing performance of The Tempest in Chad A Fuqua Park yesterday evening. Thank you to Branson Regional Arts Council for bringing theatre to our Hollister Park.”
– Denise Olmstead – Deputy City Administrator, City of Hollister

Bring your own lawn chair or blankets as seating is open in the grass in front of the stage. Bring your own coolers, snacks and refreshments. Jackets are highly recommended as it may cool down in the evening.

“Shakespeare in the park was excellent! So much talent! We enjoyed this SO much! Ariel was incredibly graceful and spirit-like, Caliban was AMAZING, very unearthly, and creepy! We loved Prospero. Trinculo and Stephano kept us in stitches. Amazing performance! Thank you for a great venue and performance!”
– Terena Terry

The production team includes:Justin Ables(Director), Audrey Noll (Choreographer), Nate Frank (Music Arranger), Katie Pohlheber (Stage Manager), Anika Bryceson (Costume Design), Kyle Blanchard (Set Design), Kristen Ables (Puppet Design), Josh Bouldon (Speech and Text Coach), Alex Schriver (Lead Builder).
The Tempest features a talented cast of talented actors including: Nicole Horton (Prospero), Catherine Kennedy (Miranda), Joey Faggion (Ferdinand), Cat Blanchard (Ariel), Josh Bouldon (Caliban), Kyle Blanchard (Caliban), Charis Bouldon (Antonia), Michael Sager (Boatswain), Brandon Farrar (Ship Master), Zack Bucky Buckner (Alonso), Nick Carrano (Sebastian), John Paul Fox (Gonzalo), Jameson Clanton (Trinculo), Blake West (Stephano), and Lindsay Lee, Elizabeth Theune, Kyra Carrano, Michael Sager, Brandon Farrar (Ensemble/Puppeteers).

Summary of The Tempest:Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. The families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. Prospero grants Ariel his freedom and prepares to leave the island.

Recyclable trash helps to create the theatrical magic of The Tempest.

Past BRAC Shakespeare in the Park performances have been in cooperation with Forte Theatrical Productions and includedA Midsummer Night’s Dream,Romeo and Juliet, and a Rock version ofHamlet. Each of these productions were held outdoors on the pavilion stage in Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park, and the Branson Regional Arts Council thanks theCity of Hollisterand theHollister Parks Departmentfor their support and cooperation in making these community events possible.
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Shakespeare’s The Tempest Opens Sept 26 In Hollister

The Branson Regional Arts Council is thrilled to once again host it’s 4th Annual Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest. 

Place: Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park, 312 Esplanade Dr., Hollister, MO

  • Sunday – Sept 26 – 8pm
  • Monday – Sept 27 – 8pm
  • Sunday – Oct 3 – 8pm
  • Monday – Oct 4 – 8pm
Family friendly production!
Tickets are $10 (Adults 18+), $5 (Students with ID, or Youth 4-17)

Bring your own lawnchair or blankets as seating is open in the grass in front of the stage. Refreshments will be available but you may bring your own coolers. Jackets recommended as it may cool down in the evening. 

The production team includes: Justin Ables (Director), Audrey Noll (Choreographer), Nate Frank (Music Arranger), Katie Pohlheber (Stage Manager), Anika Bryceson (Costume Design), Kyle Blanchard (Set Design), Kristen Ables (Puppet Design), Josh Bouldon (Speech and Text Coach), Alex Schriver (Lead Builder).
The Tempest features a talented cast of talented actors including: Nicole Horton (Prospero), Catherine Kennedy (Miranda), Joey Faggion (Ferdinand), Cat Blanchard (Ariel), Josh Bouldon (Caliban), Kyle Blanchard (Caliban), Charis Bouldon (Antonia), Michael Sager (Boatswain), Brandon Farrar (Ship Master), Zack Bucky Buckner (Alonso), Nick Carrano (Sebastian), John Paul Fox (Gonzalo), Jameson Clanton (Trinculo), Blake West (Stephano), and Lindsay Lee, Elizabeth Theune, Kyra Carrano, Michael Sager, Brandon Farrar (Ensemble/Puppeteers).

Summary of The Tempest: Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. The families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. Prospero grants Ariel his freedom and prepares to leave the island.

Recyclable trash helps to create the theatrical magic of The Tempest.

Past BRAC Shakespeare in the Park performances have been in cooperation with Forte Theatrical Productions and included A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and a Rock version of Hamlet. Each of these productions were held outdoors on the pavilion stage in Chad A Fuqua Memorial Park, and the Branson Regional Arts Council thanks the City of Hollister and the Hollister Parks Department for their support and cooperation in making these community events possible.
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New Artist Reception At Branson Convention Center Friday Sept 24th

September 15, 2021 The Branson Regional Arts Council announces two important upcoming events for Art enthusiasts and members of the Arts Council (1) NEW ARTIST RECEPTION AT THE BRANSON CONVENTION CENTER The general public is invited to attend a New Artist Reception at the Branson Convention Center Art Gallery on the 2nd Level Concourse in Downtown Branson. This FREE Community Arts Event will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 6-8pm.  This will be an evening of incredible artistry, as we introduce several new artists joining the Art Gallery Exhibition. A complete list of artists in this exhibition will be announced soon. Several of the featured artists will be attending the reception to discuss their work, and members of the Branson Regional Arts Council Board will be there to answer any questions. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be available as well. Bring yourself, or a group of friends and enjoy this FREE community event!

Deceased Board Member and Beloved Friend of the Arts, Robert Cohn, enjoyed an earlier Artist Reception. His dedication and hard work to initiate and develop the Branson Convention Center Art Gallery will not be forgotten.

(2) ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING AT THE HISTORIC OWEN THEATRE In addition, the 2021 Annual Member Meeting will take place on Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 6:00pm until 6:30pm at the Historic Owen Theatre, and will provide an opportunity for elections of new board of directors as well announcements regarding several new, exciting events and theatrical performances slated for 2022. Anyone wishing to stay after the meeting to attend a performance of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical is asked to purchase their tickets in advance by calling the box office at 417-336-4255 or online at BransonArts.org/tix.

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Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical Opens At Historic Owen Theatre

After five busy weeks of rehearsals and pre-show preparation, the Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to present the smash hit production 9 to 5 The Musical at the Historic Owen Theatre with eight performances running between September 9 – 19, 2021.

Reserved seat tickets are on sale now at BransonArts.org/tix or by calling the box office at 417-336-4255.

9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie.

Rated PG-13 |Some Adult Language & Situations

Set in the late 1970s. This hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

This high-energy show is not only a blast for those on the stage, but also for everyone in the audience! With its jubilant score and easily relatable characters, 9 to 5 is the perfect show to bring to our community this September.

The production is directed by Kyle Bradley with vocal direction by Lloyd Alexander-Holt, and choreography by Jordan Alexander-Holt. Photography by Marshall Meadows.

Featured is a hilarious and talented cast including: Julie Musser (Violet Newstead), Kellsey Bradley (Doralee Rhodes), Brenna Bergeron (Judy Bernly), Ryan Mattix (Franklin Hart, Jr.), Mindy Law (Roz Keith), Lucas Dahlgren (Dwayne), Joey Blackwood (Joe), Payton Miller (Josh Newstead), Renee Elkady (Maria), Justin Bridges (Dick), Joseph Donathan (Bob Enright), Amy Miller (Kathy / Missy Hart), Annie Sullivan (Margaret) and Ellen Barney, Emily Hanner, Jerry Cook, Lacey Kellett, Sarah Williams, Megan Rodgers , Emily Vickers (Ensemble).

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Cast Announcement For The Sound Of Music

Congratulations to the following cast and crew of the Branson Regional Arts Council’s production of The Sound of Music with eight performances at the Historic Owen Theatre on Dec 2 – 4 & 9 – 12, 2021. Advance reserved tickets are on sale now at BransonArts.org/tix.

“There were so many talented actors who participated in the auditions, and it was a very difficult challenge for our directors and producers to make the final casting selections. Big thanks to everyone who tried out, and we hope to work with the rest of you soon in a future production.”
– Jim Barber – BRAC Executive Director

The Sound of Music is under the direction of Jacob Deck (Director) and Delyla Uebel (Music Director). Cast members include:

  • Hayden Gish (Maria Rainer)
  • Jen Frost (Mother Abbess)
  • Tricia Bush (Mother Abbess understudy)
  • Esther Weicht (Sister Berthe)
  • Mindy Law (Sister Margaretta)
  • Julie Brinkman (Sister Sophia)
  • Jerrod Cate (Captain Georg von Trapp)
  • Loran Polson (Frau Schmidt, housekeeper)
  • Emma Puerta and Talya Tinoco (Liesl von Trapp)
  • Pace Gillman and AJ Turner (Friedrich von Trapp)
  • Sophie Douglas and Abby Wheeler (Louisa von Trapp)
  • Lee Brown and Liam Hill (Kurt von Trapp)
  • Kylee Chandler, Savannah Turner and Johanna Thornsberry (Brigitta von Trapp)
  • Lundyn Mitchell and Jael Frost (Marta von Trapp)
  • Zoey Viola and Emma Chandler (Gretl von Trapp)
  • Cole Hill (Rolf Gruber)
  • Charis Boulden (Elsa Schraeder)
  • Amy Sorenson (Ursula)
  • Randy Simmon (Max Detweiler)
  • Dylan Pratt (Herr Zeller, swing for Franz)
  • Anna Weicht (New Postulant)
  • Melody Snyder, Judy Starrett and Beth Lambeth (Ensemble: Neighbors of Captain von Trapp, nuns, novices, postulants, contestants at Festival concert).

SYNOPSIS

The final collaboration between Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, The Sound of Music, has become a play beloved around the world. Based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers, this play captures a personal tale of growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. 

The Sound of Music tells the tale of young postulant Maria Rainer, whose free spirit has trouble fitting into the rules and regulations of Nonnberg Abbey. Commissioned by the Mother Abbess to serve as the governess for seven motherless children, Maria transforms the von Trapp family home from a place of dour rules and regulations to one filled with joy, with laughter, and with music.

In the process, Maria wins the hearts of all seven children–and their widower father, Captain von Trapp. With the Mother Abbess’ blessing, and to the children’s delight, Maria follows her heart, and Maria and the Captain marry.

Upon returning home from their honeymoon, Maria and the Captain learn that their beloved Austria has been taken over by the Nazis, and the retired Captain is asked to report for immediate service in the Nazi Navy. When the Nazis show up at their door to take Captain von Trapp away, it is a family singing engagement (wily navigated by their friend Max) that buys the family time to make their narrow escape.

Their Austrian convictions compel Maria, the Captain, and the children to flee over the mountains of Switzerland to safety, taking the words of the Mother Abbess to heart: “Climb Every Mountain… till you find your dream.”

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Auditions For Carrie The Musical This Week

  • dateAugust 23, 2021
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
  • commentNo Comments
  • view2035 Views

The Branson Regional Arts Council is holding open auditions this Thursday and Saturday for an award-winning musical based on the Stephen King novel Carrie. This will be an add-on Halloween themed production to be presented in late-October 2021.

Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.

Set in the present in the small New England town of Chamberlain, Maine, Carrie: The Musical features a book by Lawrence D. Cohen (screenwriter of the classic film), music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore (Fame, Terms of Endearment), and lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose). The BRAC production is directed by Jacob Deck.

This audition is for performers, ages 18-25+.

AUDITION DATES:

  • Thursday, August 26, 6PM
  • Saturday, August 28, 2PM & 6PM

 Auditions & Performances at the Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO 65616

PERFORMANCE DATES (7 shows):

  • October 21-23, 7PM
  • October 28-30, 7PM
  • October 30, 11PM (late night halloween show)

PREPARATION
Prepare a cut of a song no longer than a minute, in the style of the show, or from the show if auditioning for a specific role.

All Roles Open: Males & Females to play 16-65

ETHNICITY: All Ethnicities

ROLES:

CARRIE WHITE (Lead): Female, should read 17 onstage
Painfully shy outsider who, in spite of her best efforts to belong, has been a victim of her
classmates’ cruel jokes since childhood, as well as her mother’s strict, biblically ordained control at home; transforms from ugly duckling into graceful, and then vengeful, swan; vocally, she must be capable of lyrical sweetness as well as fierce power. Mezzo-Soprano.

MARGARET WHITE (Lead): Female to play 35-50
Woman of visceral extremes; balances her fervent religious convictions with equally sincere true-believer spirituality and tender, maternal love for Carrie; in the end, she proves to be a religious extremist; like Carrie, with whom she shares several duets, her voice must range from expressive and melodic to ferocious and frightening. Soprano.

SUE SNELL (Lead) Female, to play 17-18
A popular over achieving student. Her unthinking participation in a cruel act of bullying causes a crisis of conscience that leads her on a complicated emotional and psychological journey to make amends. Smart with just a touch of shrewd edge. The play is told through her memory. Vocally, she has a pop ballad voice that delivers sincerity and strength. Mezzo-Soprano.

TOMMY ROSS Male, to play 17-18
Handsome, popular star athlete, and all around standout. Yet he also has unexpected, quirky sensitivity and is just starting to mine his personal life and feelings – a budding poet. Effortless pop tenor.

CHRIS HARGENSEN Female, to play 17-18
Rich, spoiled, and dangerous. Serious daddy and anger management issues. Her voice is pop/rock percussive: rangy and powerful. Must be an equally strong dancer. Implied sexual content. Mezzo-Soprano.

BILLY NOLAN Male, 20s
A dangerous, trashy, stupid-like-a-fox bad boy beholden to Chris’s bidding. His voice is that of a wailing rocker. Implied sexual content. Baritone.

MISS GARDNER Female, to play mid-30’s
The girls’ no nonsense P.E. teacher. A tough disciplinarian, Carrie also arouses within her a surprising instinct to protect. Warm and powerful pop belt.

MR. STEPHENS / REV. BLISS Male, to play 30’s – 40’s
A still sexy English teacher and guidance counsellor not quite connected to the world of his students. Doubles as Reverend Bliss, the voice of a radio evangelist.

NORMA Female, to play to play 17-18
A gossip with an artistic hipster edge. Norma is second-in-command to Chris’ queen bee.

FRIEDA Female, to play 17-18
Sue’s sometime friend. A drama dork, she’s an easy going, get-along follower and a tireless extracurricular committee volunteer.

HELEN Female, to play 17-18
A leggy cheerleader. Giggly and easily shocked, her immaturity and need to belong make her the perfect example of the herd mentality.

GEORGE Male, to play 17-18
A jock. Preppy. Somewhat unsure. Tommy’s wingman since childhood.

STOKES Male, to play 17-18
A bit of a nerd, he’s happy to be sometimes included as one of Tommy’s posse.

FREDDY Male, to play 17-18
The wise-cracking class clown and official yearbook photographer, he can’t believe any girl would ever give him the time of day.

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New Talent Contest Benefits Arts In The Ozarks

An exciting new talent competition is coming to the airwaves, internet, and a community theatre new you!

The Five Star  Talent Contest, presented by Ozarks Dynacom, is designed to encourage the region’s top talent to let their light shine and invite area residents and visitors to discover the amazing talent of the Ozarks.

OFFICIAL ENTRY INFORMATION

Our region of the Ozarks is overflowing with talent.

Amazing vocalists, dancers, comics and musicians appear regularly on stages, at events, in theaters, restaurants, bars and festivals throughout the Ozarks. There is also incredible talent that isn’t very well-known. There are up-and-comers and less experienced performers who are dedicated and working hard on their skills. They might be young, or they might have had to put their talent on the back-burner, or simply decided that their special gifts and talents were going to be a hobby, instead of a career.

Ozarks DynaCom is a family of five area radio stations that reach across Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas to an audience of over 200,000 listeners. In Branson, Missouri: 98.1 (Branson4U.com), 106.3 (KRZK), 100.1 (KOMC) and in Harrison, Arkansas: 102.9 (New Country), 94.9 (KHOZ).

These stations have all teamed up with the Branson Regional Arts Council and the Ozarks Arts Council to give striving performers, the unknown and the inexperienced their moment in the spotlight.

The Ozarks DynaCom FiveStar Talent Contest is the perfect opportunity to dust off the cobwebs, fine tune performance skills, or test new material on a real audience.

“Together with our listeners, online fans, and social media friends, we might even discover the next entertainment sensation of the Ozarks, or beyond!”
– Steve Willoughby, General Manager – Ozarks Dynacom

Video: Ozarks Dynacom General Manager – Steve Willoughby

“We are proud to be partners with the Branson Regional Arts Council and Ozark Arts Council in Harrison, Arkansas who will be lending their expertise and facilities for the semi-final competitions. Live show ticket sales will benefit these wonderful organizations who do so much to support the entertainment arts in our region.”
– Steve Willoughby, General Manager – Ozarks Dynacom

CONTEST BASICS:

Ozarks DynaCom FiveStar Talent Contest is being implemented in collaboration with the Branson Regional Arts
Council and Ozark Arts Council in Harrison, Arkansas, along with our contest sponsors Connell Insurance and North Arkansas College.

There is no cost to enter, and everyone (from anywhere in the country) is welcome to participate. Contestants less than 18-years old will need a legal guardian’s permission.

TALENT ENTRY FORMAT:

Contestants may enter once, in each category of talent: Music, Comedy, Dance/Acrobat, Magic, Variety.

Video file or YouTube link submissions should be no more than 90 seconds in length, and uploaded via the official contest website at branson4u.com/promotions/fivestar-talent-contest.

OFFICIAL ENTRY INFORMATION

Everyone in the Ozarks is encouraged to vote online for their favorite talent and a distinguished panel of judges will be on hand at the live, semifinal shows in Branson, MO and Harrison, AR to determine the final selections to move on to the final competition.

The Arts Councils’ will receive all ticket proceeds from the live, Semi-Final Shows held at the Historic Owen Theatre [buy Branson tickets] and Historic Lyric Theatre [buy Harrison tickets] respectively, and also share in the proceeds of the Final Championship Show.

A live Finals Championship show is planned for mid-November at a time and location still to be determined.

Show details and winner prizes will be announced as those items are confirmed.

CONTEST TIMELINE:

  • Online Entries: August 16 – September 12, 2021
  • Online Voting: September 17 – October 10, 2021
  • Live Semi-Final Shows: November 5th (Branson) and 6th (Harrison), 2021
  • Live Final Championship Show: Mid November 2021

Thanks to the Ozarks Dynacom family of radio stations who are promoting this competition…

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