Performing youth group from Sauk Prairie High School performing at the Branson Variety Theatre. Photo by: Randy Luher

BRANSON, Mo. “Branson is one of the fastest growing destinations in the student group market,” said Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center. “It’s catching on with the youth groups market that Branson is a blast of a place to go, is filled with fun and excitement and, from an expense perspective, offers is a lot of value as compared to many other destination cities.”

One unique segment of student youth groups is “performance” groups, generally those school, church and other groups who sing, dance, play instruments or are otherwise involved in performing. Wood points out that the term also includes things other than singing and dancing such as production, lighting and sound and how uniquely positioned Branson is to service that market.

She said that one of the key things about working with youth performance groups is being able to keep them focused on music and the arts by providing them with the chance to come to a place like Branson and giving them the opportunity to see and experience how it really works from backstage to actually performing. With its 50 theatres and 100 live shows, Branson offers youth performance groups an opportunity to perform in a state of the art theatre with professional lighting and sound technicians before a live audience. They perform in venues such as Silver Dollar City and do 20 to 30 minute pre-shows at Branson theatres. It is not uncommon to have youth performance groups perform in more than one venue while they are in Branson.

In addition, many of the groups also attend workshops or clinics as part of their Branson experience. Wood said that because of the relationship Branson Tourism Center has with a lot of the entertainers and theatres we know which ones will fit in best with a particular type and size of group; are able to provide a selection of workshops and clinics that will meet just about every group’s need from singing and dancing to choreography, production, lighting and sound. All the entertainers and professionals used for the clinics and that help the kids in our groups are very personable, kid friendly and work hard to make them feel at home as they perform on their stages.

And when they are not performing or in clinics they do the same thing that the rest of the youth groups that come to Branson do, just have fun. We have wonderful shows, attractions such as The Titanic Museum, The Track Family Fun Parks, Silver Dollar City, White Water and all kinds of things that they enjoy experiencing including Table Rock Lake and its 745 miles of shoreline and 45,000 surface acres of watery fun, adventure and excitement.”

Wood, who works with a staff of seven Group Sales managers explains that whether it’s performance youth groups, church, school or other youth groups all it takes is one phone call to 800-268-4014 and Branson Tourism Center will handle it all. “Our staff is dedicated to just one thing, helping you provide your group with the best Branson experience possible,” she said, “We look forward to opportunity of sharing all that Branson has to offer with you and your youth group.”