Vol. 2, No. 37, October 16, 2026

People. Places. Things To Do.

Jimmy Rea smiles in a radio studio, wearing glasses and over-ear headphones, seated beside a broadcast microphone, wearing a shirt with the word ‘Conference’ above an outline of the state of Missouri.

Welcome back, friends!

October is in full swing, and this week we're exploring the dramatic and terrifying!

First, we're taking a trip back to biblical times, with a rock 'n' roll twist. Mosaic Arts Collective is tackling one of musical theater's most iconic productions, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” We'll get a look behind the curtain and learn more about the people and passion driving this growing local arts organization, now in its fifth year.

And from the stage to the silver screen, we head into the shadowy hills of Eureka Springs. The Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival is back for a third year of thrills and chills. I chat with organizer Coltan Scrivner to find out what's lurking on this year's lineup and why this little mountain town has become such a fitting home for horror.

Thanks for spending a little time with me in The Green Room. Let's get into it!

Jimmy Rea

Host, Arts News

KSMU 91.1 FM

Ozarks Public Broadcasting

The Green Room is sponsored by Springfield Community Gardens

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Mosaic Arts Collective opens “Jesus Christ Superstar”

A smiling man wearing glasses, a yellow T-shirt and black shorts stands on a wooden platform with his arms outstretched during a theatrical rehearsal.

Actor Ozark Javier Nunez rehearses the role of Jesus. Photo Credit: Mosaic Arts Collective

The classic rock opera will run from October 16 through November 1 at the Historic Fox Theatre on Park Central Square in downtown Springfield. I brought in Mosaic Executive Director Amanda Snead and Ozark Javier Nunez, one of the show’s actors, to discuss the production and Mosaic's mission...read more.

Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival returns to Eureka Springs

A large crowd of people dressed in Halloween costumes and horror-themed makeup fills a street in downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Zombie Crawl from last year’s festival. Photo Credit: Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival

The four-day horror film festival returns October 21-24 with independent films, special guests, horror legends, and the annual Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl. The event's executive director calls in to give us the gory details and frightful insights into the event's third year...read more.

Arts News on KSMU is your long-standing source for what's happening in the Ozarks arts scene spotlighting local creators, performances, and cultural events every week. Tune in Fridays at 10:00 a.m. on 91.1-FM or stream at KSMU.org or subscribe to the Arts News podcast wherever you get your podcasts. New podcast episodes are released every Friday.

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👉Got a story, event, or artist I should know about? Share your arts and music tips with The Green Room, and help us shine a spotlight on the creative pulse of the Ozarks! You can email them to me at jrea@missouristate.edu👈

Sponsored by Sothern Plumbing

October 16 - November 1: Mosaic Arts Collective presents "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Fox Theatre

October 16 & 17: Quilt & Craft Sale at Grace United Methodist Church

October 17: Springfield Ballet Free Boys Workshop at The Creamery Arts Center

October 17: Fiber Arts Weekend at Wild Arts Learning

October 20: "The Story of Us: Missouri Through Film" - Ride With The Devil at The Moxie Cinema

October 21 - 24: Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival at various venues in Eureka Springs

October 22: Slow Viewing with Missouri State University: Biennial Faculty Exhibition at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center

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🎶Friends don't leave friends out of the music and arts scene - they share all the local arts and music happenings. Just forward this email to a friend!🎶 

Beat Seat in the House Staff Pick for a Night In

A couple sits together on a couch watching television in a living room, with a movie playing on the screen in front of them

In the mood to stay in? Queue up one of these videos handpicked by our staff at Ozarks Public Broadcasting, perfect for a night in when you're skipping the scene but still craving culture.

PBS Books. Popular Science: From Cosmic Origins to Everyday Discovery. Science begins with questions—about where we came from, how the natural world works and how discoveries can change the way we understand our lives and our communities.

Fate & Fabled: What Constellations Mean to Different Cultures. The stars have guided and entertained us for thousands of years. Here we explore some of the messages people have seen in the stars through the millennia and look forward to how we might relate to the stars in the future.

Lucky Chow. Berlin: Edible Art. For decades, Berlin’s affordability and artistic freedom have drawn artists from around the world. Danielle Chang spends time with multihyphenated Asian creatives in Berlin who cook, perform, and sing.

Austin City Limits: Olivia Rodrigo. Three-time Grammy Award winner Olivia Rodrigo returns to the ACL stage with her fearless songwriting and arena-sized performances.

These favorites from KSMU and OPT staff are just the beginning. There's a whole world of storytelling, music, documentaries, and local gems waiting on you to dive in and discover at your local public broadcasting station.

🎧Podcast Alert🎧

Missed an episode of Studio Live or Arts News? Can't listen live? Find them both as a podcast on KSMU or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Studio Live with Jess Balisle and Melissa Rea airs on the 2nd Friday of every month at noon. Tune in at 91.1 FM or stream on KSMU.org for an hour of live music and conversation with talented local artists.

November 13: Pomfret

December 11: Devlin Pierce

The 2027 Studio Live lineup is coming soon!

Was this email sent to you by a friend? If you'd love fresh takes, local gems, and behind-the-scene artsy goodness in your inbox every week subscribe to The Green Room.

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Tip Here

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The Green Room is a production of Ozarks Public Broadcasting. For more information about our programs and services please visit our website.

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