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This section will help you answer any questions you have about making a reservation or about enjoying our shows. Find the question you are looking for below and click to get the answer. If you have more specific questions regarding Getaway Packages or about the Find A Ride program, choose the appropriate link found at the left side of the page. If you have group reservation questions, click here. If you need additional information, you may contact us.

Who owns Sight & Sound Ministries?
How can I learn about the history of Sight & Sound?
Are the founders still involved in the company?
Do other family members work here?
How is the company funded?
Is Sight & Sound affiliated with any denomination?
How long does it take to produce a new show?
Is the music live, or is it a soundtrack? Are shows ever retired?
Do you give tours of Millennium Theatre?
Where are the animals trained and where do they live?
How many animals do you have, and what kinds are they?
What are the qualifications to become an actor at Sight & Sound?
How many employees work at Sight & Sound Theatres?
Are all of your employees Christians?

Who owns Sight & Sound Ministries?

Sight & Sound Ministries is owned by the founders, Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, and by their family.
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How can I learn about the history of Sight & Sound?

A summary of the history of Sight & Sound Ministries can be found by clicking here.
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Are the founders still involved in the company?

Both Glenn and Shirley Eshelman are active in the operations of the company as well as in long-term planning and vision. Although both guide the overall direction of the company, Glenn's most visible role is in developing new shows, including research and scriptwriting. Shirley serves as a consultant in a variety of areas, focusing primarily on the business aspects of the company.
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Do other members of the Eshelman family work at Sight & Sound?

Several of Glenn and Shirley's daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren work in various roles throughout the company.
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How is the company funded?

While Sight & Sound is a ministry, it is not a non-profit organization. The proceeds from the shows are designed to cover the production costs of the shows and the operation of the organization, as well as to facilitate the production of upcoming shows. Sight & Sound operates without charitable support.
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Is Sight & Sound affiliated with any denomination?

Sight & Sound Theatres employs people from a variety of Christian denominations; the company is not affiliated with any external organization, nor with any particular church denomination.
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How long does it take to produce a new show?

From the initial concept to the premiere, two to three years are usually required. During this time, the storyline is developed, scripts are written, sets and costumes are designed and built, music and choreography are created, actors are cast and animals are trained.
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Is the music live, or is it a soundtrack?

Vocal performances, both singing and speaking, are always live for all shows. For most shows, the instrumental music is written specifically for the show, then recorded in a professional studio, usually in Nashville or Los Angeles. Live instrumentalists sometimes appear onstage, and their performances are live as well. The soundtracks that are available to the patrons include both instrumentals and vocals.
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Are shows ever retired?

Most shows run for a predetermined length of time before being replaced by a different production. Some shows recur each year for a number of years; these shows are usually seasonal, like Behold the Lamb at Easter or The Miracle of Christmas. Other shows are temporarily retired after several seasons, but can be brought back to the stage several years later.
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Do you give tours?

At the Millennium Theatre in Strasburg, PA, a Behind the Scenes Tour is offered.
This actor-guided, 75-minute tour is offered at specific times of the year.
For information on the Strasburg, PA tour, including ticket prices, click here.
Currently no tour is available at Branson, MO
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Where are the animals trained and where do they live?

Sight & Sound's animals live on the grounds at each theatre complex. They are comfortably housed in buildings, with an additional indoor facility for training. All of the animals are owned by the company and are trained by our animal husbandry staff of more than a dozen people.
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How many animals do you have, and what kinds of animals are they?

Sight & Sound Theatres are home to a wide variety of animals. A recent survey of our animals includes: Vietnamese potbellied pigs, Angora goats, Barbados sheep, baby doll sheep, Corriedale sheep, llamas, camels, Scottish Highlander cattle, Jersey cattle, donkeys, miniature donkeys, goats, horses, ponies, dogs (Saint Bernard and Welsh Corgi), Himalayan cats, skunks, macaws, rabbits, chickens of various breeds, doves, white pigeons, Peking ducks, geese, Crescent ducks, turkeys, alpacas, and zebus.
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What are the qualifications to become an actor at Sight & Sound?

Our professional actors come from varied backgrounds. Most of them have college degrees relating to their work: theatre performance, music and opera to name just a few. A significant number have advanced theatre-related degrees. Others arrive by a less-direct route. Their God-given talent, is developed through the rehearsal process. All of our actors have some background in theatre prior to joining a Sight & Sound cast. Some actors have contracts to only perform in a specific show, while others have been Sight & Sound employees for more than 10 years. Actors come from many states and several foreign countries. They are selected through auditions held regularly throughout the United States. For more information on auditioning, call the audition hotline at 717.687.4220 ext 4242.
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How many employees work at Sight & Sound Theatres?

More than 475 show production, cast, show run, and operational employees work at Sight & Sound Theatres. We anticipate growing to 700 employees for our three theatres. Sight & Sound employees produce all aspects of the shows, including writing the script, designing and building the sets, designing and sewing the hundreds of costumes per show, and creating the special effects. Employees also sell tickets, create advertising, direct traffic, program and maintain computers, feed and train animals, maintain the facilities, and handle accounting duties.
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Are all of your employees Christians?

Everyone who works at Sight & Sound Theatres professes to be a Christian. The staff is very committed to the Sight & Sound's Mission Statement: Our purpose is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sow the Word of God into the lives of our customers, guests, and fellow workers by visualizing and dramatizing the scriptures, through inspirational productions, encouraging others and seeking always to be dedicated and wise stewards of our God-given talents and resources.
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