5 Favorite Moments from the 50th Anniversary Bash

#2 – Celebrating an Outstanding Volunteer, Jerry Gidner with the 2018 Celeste Award

We presented the 2018 Celeste Award to Jerry Gidner, an influential volunteer and former Board President of Encore Stage & Studio. The Celeste Award was established in honor of Encore’s long-time Executive Producer Celeste Groves, whose “celestial” record of volunteering gives us all a high standard to live up to. Under Jerry’s outstanding leadership from 2009-2016, Encore was able to grow and flourish. Jerry was instrumental in the development of two strategic plans and set forward a vision for the organization we have become. He served on the board for seven years, three as Board President, in addition to leading our Theatre for All! Fund campaign. He has worked diligently behind the scenes to take Encore to the next level. Encore would not be where it is today without the leadership and dedication of Jerry Gidner. Thank you Jerry!

#3 – The Dance Floor
“My favorite part of the night was watching the kids have fun on the dance floor,” says Rosemarie O’Connor, Development Associate. We kicked off the dance party with a favorite from the soundtrack of “The Greatest Showman.” We all sang showtunes, showed off our dance skills and had a ball!

#4 – The Encore Family Reunion

Not only were we walking down the red carpet, we also strolled down memory lane! Alumni came from near and far to attend the event, including out of the country! The evening program was filled with performances from current students and Alumni. Photos of past shows over the decades filled the walls! Show posters and programs were on full display throughout the venue. We also had alumni there in spirit with heartfelt messages on video.

Check out this awesome video message from Encore Alum, Brittany O’Grady:

Brittany currently stars in the FOX show, “Star.” Click here to check out her last Encore interview.
It was a fantastic evening to celebrate our birthday with Encore participants past and present.

#5 – The wonderful support from the community
“My favorite moment was greeting all of our guests, volunteers and community members from other Arlington organizations and seeing everyone come together to celebrate and support ‘Theatre by Kids, for Kids,'” says Sara Duke, Executive Director. We had over 240 guests at the bash and grossed over $50,000 in honor of our 50th anniversary!