CLICK A NAME below to learn more about our BRAC Staff…

Luke Menard
BRAC Executive Director
info@bransonarts.org

Luke Menard first captured America’s heart as a top 8 finalist on season 7 of American Idol. Hailing from Crawfordsville, Indiana, Luke’s journey started at Millikin University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and communication. Upon graduating, His talent took him around the globe with the world-renowned a cappella group Chapter 6, performing over 200 concerts annually for 12 years.

After life on the road, Luke planted roots in Branson, Missouri, where he’s been a powerhouse performer with the New South Quartet for the past decade. Never one to rest on his laurels, in 2018, Luke added “Real Estate Agent” to his repertoire. His knack for closing deals saw him sell hundreds of homes in the Tri Lakes area, eventually leading him to become the Broker/Owner of Menard Realty Group.

When he’s not helping clients find their dream homes, Luke loves spending time with his 13-year-old daughter, Hope, hitting the gym, golfing, and cruising on one of his 2 Indian motorcycles. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also serenading audiences six nights a week in the Grand Jubilee show at Grand Country’s Music Hall. Luke’s life is sweeter than ever, as he recently got engaged to Branson’s very own singing sensation, Jackie Brown.

Karie Dykeman
BRAC Administrative Assistant & Box Office Manager

Karie is the first person you’ll see when you enter the Historic Owen Theatre to purchase tickets or register for a class or audition. She will also be the person you are speaking to when you call the box office or administrative office.

Starting out as a volunteer for the organization many years ago, she is now an extremely valuable member of our full time staff. Along with Kim Hale, Karie has also co-produced dozens of musicals and plays at the Historic Owen Theatre.

Kimberly Hale
BRAC Education Director

Kim has been working as a physical therapist at Mercy Branson Therapy Services for over 20 years and currently is the Therapy Manager for Mercy Branson Therapy Services. She is an orthopedic physical therapist with specialty in Dance and Performing Arts Medicine providing rehabilitation to dancers and performing artists working professionally in Branson. She has a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology. She also served on the board of Tri-Lakes Community Theatre (TLC ) as Vice-President.

She has co-produced over 30 musicals over the past 8 years and has enjoyed the collaboration of BRAC with the community. She organized and collaborated with local school administrators for the induction Thespian Society chapters and serves as an outreach resource for local schools and the Arts community. She is passionate about continuing to bring awareness to the importance of arts education to the youth in the Tri-Lakes area. The Arts fosters creativity and creative thinking and intellectual curiosity and BRAC offers a place in the community where the youth and adults can grow as an Art’s community.

In October 2023, Kim was honored as the Branson Regional Arts Council’s  “Art Citizen” of the Year at the 1st Annual Arts Gala.

Justin Ables
BRAC Board Member

Justin Ables has proudly been working with the Branson Regional Arts Council since 2016. Since then, Justin has worked as a director, educator, and advisor for BRAC and created programs such as the annual Shakespeare in the Park. When he’s not working at BRAC, you can find Justin performing at Sight and Sound Theaters where he was been acting for 8 years.

Julie Brinkman
Crescendo Theatre Troupe Co-Director

Julie has been very active at BRAC in a variety of ways. Her acting credits include Beauty & the Beast, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins. A Co-Director of Crescendo, she brings valuable skills and educational training for our talented young students.

Ellie Faggion
BRAC Staccato Co-Director

Ellie Faggion has been a professional performer in Branson for the past three years and is now offering private Voice, Acting, & Piano Lessons for students of any age! She began teaching in 2012 and since then has instructed over a hundred students – including private sessions and group classes. Ellie has 21 years of experience in the arts, including college education in music and a certificate from the Sight & Sound Conservatory in Performing Arts, and has directed and assistant directed several musical productions. Ellie thrives on helping her students discover their true potential, wherever they’re at in their knowledge and skill, and likes to challenge her students while also having fun along the way!

Lisa Murphy
BRAC Visual Arts Advisor

Lisa Murphy is a Past-President of the Branson Regional Arts Council. She has dedicated her life to promoting Art Education in Southwest Missouri. After graduating from MSU with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art and Library Science she started working towards a Masters Degree at Drury University, where she studied Secondary Art and Gifted Education. Her professional career includes teaching Art at the Springfield Art Museum for five years and teaching in the public schools for over thirty years. The majority of her career was devoted to teaching Art in a small rural school that was named one of the top five high schools in Missouri and awarded the National Blue Ribbon. Her professional awards include: National Recognition in Who’s Who Teacher of the Year, seven times and the Outstanding Teacher Award by the Missouri Fine Arts Academy twice in her career. Currently she teaches Art at The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield.

Lisa has been proud to call the Ozarks her home for over thirty years. During that time she has been involved in numerous musical theatre productions in Branson in a variety of roles. She has been a Performer, Producer, and Marketing Coordinator for the following plays: “Hello, Dolly!”, “Jekyll and Hyde”, “Once Upon a Mattress”, “Clue”, Damn Yankees, Shakespeare Abridged, and Yes, Virginia. With all of these accomplishments in her career she still believes the greatest accomplishment in her lifetime to be her family. She feels very fortunate and proud to have their love and support. She and her husband have two daughters. Jenna who graduated from Drury University last year and received a fellowship at Arena Stage Theatre in Washington D.C. and Michelle who graduated from George Washington University and works for the State Department. She feels honored to have the opportunity to promote all of the arts (music, literature, dance, theatre, and visual art) for people of all ages in our community by serving on the Board of Directors of the Branson Art Council.