Register, Orientation, Dinner, and Get to Know Your Fellow Participants

Dinner: Arrival time for the program is 4:30 p.m. The first evening includes an introduction of the sponsoring personnel, an orientation to the program, dinner, and get-acquainted activities.--- Please be aware that program activities and schedule times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of any changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!--- We will prepare for an exciting journey into the Branson Show Biz scene and all the amazing processes that go into such great presentation! Get rest tonight as it is an exciting educational journey ahead of you!---

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Dinner

Lecture on History of Branson Entertainment, Performance Principles, Story Telling, and Folk Songs. Watch the amazing horse theatrical show - Dixie Stampede!

Breakfast: Great breakfast

Morning: Workshop on Performance Principles: Well acted and written characters grow or develop through the play, film, or other narrative. Get a great introduction to the world of the stage and most importantly - characters! Learn to act in character with realistic growth or development from a great local performer. Presenter: Mark Young, Extraordinary Local Performer

Morning: Lecture on the history of Branson Discover the shows that have made Branson the 'Live Entertainment Capitol' of the world. Look at how this sleepy little town is now host to over 100 shows, more theater seats than Broadway, and over 7 million visitors a year. Start your examination of how performers often mold and are molded by the area they live. Presenter: Sarah Klinefelter, C of O Media Professor—

Lunch: Delicious lunch in our meeting room

Afternoon: Lecture on the art of Musical Storytelling: Meet a real life troubadour (a strolling singer or minstrel) and learn the art of musical story telling. The lecturer is a featured performer at Silver Dollar City and has several CD featuring his amazing art. Presenter: Danny Eakin, Silver Dollar City Story Teller and Folk Song Artist

Dinner: A wonderful dinner!

Evening: Participants eat a super fun-filled meal at the family-oriented Dixie Stampede dinner show followed by a beautiful and dynamic performance of entertainers and comedians singing, dancing, and riding majestic horses. With 32 horses, dozens of cast members, live buffalo, amazing ostrich races, magic and seating for 1,000 around a 35,000 square-foot arena at each facility. We will arrive early and take a stroll by the outdoor stable area where you can get a preview of the magnificent performers – the horses themselves!

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lectures on Pantomime and Choreography. Take a fantastic trip on 'Ride the Ducks' and see the amazing variety show of Hamner / Barber!

Breakfast: Great breakfast

Morning: Workshop on Pantomime and Body Movement: Pantomime is defined as the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech. Further develop your character skills and theatrical movement abilities in this fun lecture. Presenters: Mark and Lisa Young, Extraordinary Local Performers

Morning: Take a trip on the adventurous 'Ride The Ducks' sightseeing tour! Your duck ride combines fun and music with history and sights aboard a one of a kind amphibious vehicle. You will Ride through the Ozarks, Splashdown into the Lake for a fun cruise. While on the lake you can drive the duck (if you want). Your Captain will en-tour-tain you with stories of past and present. Learn about Ozark Mountain history, the lakes, its famous personalities and its impact on the state and our nation. Find out about Branson's role in film, song and sports too!

Lunch: Delicious catered lunch

Afternoon: Workshop on Choreography: Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing". A choreographer is one who creates choreography. Presenter: Tonya Coker, Branson Show Choreographer

Dinner: Dinner at the famous McFarland’s restaurant. Watch out for those floating tables!

Evening: Attend Hamner/Barber Variety Show. Watch an amazing show from the incredible magical illusions of The Hamners and the hilarious comedy ventriloquism of Jim Barber to some of Branson's greatest musicians and singers. Magic shows are a favorite in Branson by providing great family entertainment and amazing illusions. The Hamner Barber Variety Show is not only one of the top rated shows in town, but it is also one of the most award-winning Branson magic shows!

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Workshops on Ventriloquism, Stage Magic, Improv, and Stage Make Up. Witness the amazing show the Acrobats of China!

Breakfast: Great breakfast

Morning: Workshop on Improvisation: Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or new ways to act. Presented by Mark Young, Extraordinary Local Performers

Morning: Workshop on Stage Make Up: Find out the workings of stage make up and its affects on a performance. Through the use of makeup, specifically highlighting and shading, the apparent shape of an actor’s face can be changed. Lighting controls makeup to a high degree. Makeup can lose its effectiveness due to incorrect stage lighting. Presenter: Lisa Young, Extraordinary Local Performer

Lunch: Great Bar-B-Q lunch will be served

Afternoon: Workshop on Stage Magic: Magic is a performing art that entertains an audience by creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats, using purely natural means. These feats are called magic tricks, effects or illusions. One who performs such illusions is called a magician or an illusionist. The purpose of a magic trick is to amuse and create a feeling of wonderment; the audience is generally aware that the magic is performed using trickery, and derives enjoyment from the magician's skill and cunning Presented by David Hamner, Magician and Co-Star of the Hamner Barber Variety Show

Afternoon: Lecture on Ventriloquism Arts: Ventriloquism is an act of stagecraft in which a person (a ventriloquist) manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteer "dummy". The act of ventriloquism is commonly called in English the ability to "throw" one's voice. Presented by Jim Barber, Ventriloquist and Co-Star of the Hamner Barber Variety Show

Dinner: Wonderful buffet at the Grand Country

Evening: See the show The Acrobats of China: The New Shanghai Circus is a spectacular extravaganza of elegant eastern dance, dazzling acrobatics, mysterious magic, mystical music, and more. Over 40 amazing performers bring the Orient to Branson with fabulous backdrops, state-of-the-art lighting, and a fast-paced, exciting production! Celebrate the exotic wonders of China and enjoy the dramatic interpretation of classic Chinese dance and physical performance art. You'll love the playful lion dance, awesome jar juggling, incredible hoop-diving, daring trapeze, thrilling aerial ballet, the dancing dragon, and marvelous spinning plates in this huge production show. It's an incredible, stunning experience for everyone!

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Attend the exciting Ricky Boen and the Texas Mud Show. Perform in the Branson Show Biz Kids variety show and enjoy an ice cream social!

Breakfast: Great breakfast

Morning: Attend the Ricky Boen--Texas Swing Music Show: Ricky Boen and Texas Mud offers an upbeat time of authentic Texas Swing music as it is presented by a group of extremely talented musicians. Starting with Ricky himself, the 1983 World Champion Fiddler, accolades are no stranger to Texas Mud. Ricky Boen and Texas Mud have been entertaining and amazing audiences for the past three years in Branson.

Lunch: Delicious lunch will be served in our meeting room

Afternoon: Everyone has rehearsal time in preparation for the big finale tomorrow in which everyone gets to participate!

Dinner: A fantastic dinner in preparation for an evening of fun!

Evening: Everyone participates in the Branson Show Biz Kids Variety Show! Bill Lennon will be our guest star judge for the evening of fun and performance! Bill is a member of the famous ‘Lennon Brothers’ swing group and Branson producer.

Evening: An ice cream social will follow the fun of the evening! Grab a root beer float and talk about the great performances.

Lodging: Branson Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Discussion of the participant variety show and what producers look for in new talent. Overview of the week and say goodbyes to new friends!

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet

Morning: "Simon Says"--Critique of previous night's performances led by Bill Lennon, Branson producer and talent scout. Discussion on show biz talents, dedication needed, and participant capabilities. What do producers look for in auditions?

Morning: Overview of the amazing week with our featured lecturer - Sarah Klinefelter. Say goodbyes to new friends!

Meals Included: Breakfast