POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — On Dec. 10-11, The College of the Ozarks Jones Theatre Department performed a preshow act for “PraiseFest Branson Christmas JOY!” in Branson, Missouri. PraiseFest is a series of uplifting Christian music and worship events held at The Mansion Theatre throughout 2025. The Christmas edition was a holiday event featuring David Phelps, The Collingsworth Family, and the original Jubilee Christmas cast.

Students enrolled in Acting 1 and Costume and Makeup classes participated in the show by dressing up in classic Christmas carol costumes and walking about the auditorium singing to groups and greeting them in The Mansion. The second night they sang from the stage setting a tone of Christmas cheer as the audience entered the theatre.

Community outreaches like this give students real world experience with some even finding future internship possibilities.

“The care and dedication our theatre students have is top notch,” said Holli Segura, assistant professor of theatre. “They adjusted and practiced their parts as necessary when event changes were made by the production staff. The professionalism of these students is outstanding and would make any director proud.”

Segura shared that they have already been asked back for next year’s production with the possibility of students taking on a bigger role in the performances.

Student Participants

• Lynessa Barney, senior recreation and sports management major from Hollister, Missouri
• Theodore Carmody, senior theatre major from De Soto, Missouri
• Marilyn Ellis, freshman speech and theatre major from Roach, Missouri
• Kara Gatch, senior theatre major from Prairie Grove, Arkansas
• Winter Godfrey, senior video production major from Alpena, Arkansas
• Kailey Letterman, freshman theatre major from Springfield, Missouri
• Kaelen Ludden, junior theatre major from Bolivar, Missouri
• Victoria Rivera, senior theatre major from Siloam Springs, Arkansas

The above press release is from College of the Ozarks.