The Branson Regional Arts Council Celebrates #GivingTuesday and pledges to the BRAC Youth Education Fund.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday takes place on November 27th and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.

The Branson Regional Arts Council has established it’s BRAC Youth Education Fund to provide financial support to our theatre and music conservatory students between the ages of 8 and 18. Our goal is to make it possible for any student, regardless of their personal financial means, to have an opportunity to participate in at least one of our youth arts performance troupes.  Our Showstoppers Youth Theatre Troupe and our Staccato Show Choir are the first of these performance groups.  They have been performing locally for a variety of community events, such as the Grand Opening of the new Mercy Clinic on Hwy 248, the lighting of the Branson Mayor’s Christmas Tree, the 11th Annual Downtown Piccadilly Gala, as well as their own Holiday Showcase Concert coming up on December 1st at the Historic Owen Theatre (click here for more information).

“It feels so good to see our young performers excel and improve through the programming developed by the Branson Regional Arts Council. Our Youth Education fund has been established with an initial goal of sending our STACCATO Show Choir to represent Branson in the National Show Choir Competition at Disney World in March. Major credit goes to the amazing leadership and training they receive from our Vocal Education Director Lloyd Alexander-Holt, Dance Director Kristen Dasto, and Theatre Director Jacob Estes. Can you help support this effort in some small or significant way?” – Jim Barber, BRAC Executive Director

HOW TO DONATE TO #GivingTuesday

YOUTH EDUCATION FUND DONATION

Donations specifically towards the BRAC Youth Education Fund may be made via the Facebook Fundraiser Link Button above, or by mailing a personal donation check payable to BRAC (notate Youth Education Fund in the memo) to: BRAC, P.O. Box 2004, Branson, MO 65615

Showstoppers Youth Troupe is a group devoted to all things theatre! Students in the Youth Troupe meet weekly at the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson and encounter intensive, interactive studies in Voice, Acting, Stage Presence, Dance Choreography, and Team Work. The students develop both self confidence and respect for the skills required to be successful in the  Theatre Arts.

Staccato Show Choir is an energetic advanced musical group that combines a challenging music repertoire with entertaining choreography. The choir focuses on elevating and applying its formal training into lively, breath taking “show” style performances. Students meet at the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson and study advanced music theory, vocal warm up, stage etiquette, presence and showmanship, as well as multi-part choral music.

Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City − #GivingTuesday inspired millions of people to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $300 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness. “We are incredibly inspired by the way the #GivingTuesday community has embraced this concept for a worldwide movement,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and Executive Director of 92Y. “As we prepare for November 27, we’re energized and encouraged by the community’s generosity. The levels of creativity, effort and the quality of the new ideas people have contributed and shared are phenomenal.”