Meet Encore 2016 Senior: Brennen Kaitlyn Beckwith

Encore: What motivated you to first get involved with Encore?
Brennen: My friend Reiss Gidner was in it and I wanted something to do outside of school. I also wanted to be a famous actress and for some reason my 7th grade mind thought Encore was the way to do that.

Encore: What was your first experience with Encore like?
Brennen: I was the “proptart” for The Best Haunted House Ever. I was afraid and intimidated by everyone.

Encore: What roles have you performed on cast with Encore? Which was your favorite to play, and why?
Brennen: I was the competitor pig in Charlotte’s Web and the evil cat in Sleeping Beauty, oh and Balin in The Hobbit. I have so many good memories from acting for Encore but one that sticks with me the most was Susan Keady telling me: “You can try acting for a while but you’re a techie at heart.” Who knew how right she would be?

Encore: Have you worked on crew with Encore? If so, what was your favorite position on crew, and why was it your favorite?
Brennen: I worked so much crew for Encore are you kidding me? I probably worked every position except Stage Manager, which I was in line to do this year if I hadn’t moved. Encore introduced me to my passion for work behind the scenes; I would have never known. Whatever position I was in didn’t matter I was just excited to be a part of the show and to learn.

Encore: Can you describe your favorite experience with Encore (What role or production, and why was it your favorite)?
Brennen: I have so many good memories from every show I did. The Three Musketeers was a blast, I was working lights one act and then the next I was working sound because our sound tech dislocated her arm, what a wild ride. I don’t think I could possibly pick a favorite show, cause each one the memories were so different and all so wonderful.

Encore: What are your plans after graduation?
Brennen: After I moved to Sarasota FL I got into a Theater Focus high school where I studied technical theater on an amazing stage every single day. I’m going to University Of West Florida in Pensacola to major in – get this Susan Keady – Technical Theater with a focus in Stage Management. (Did I mention I got a scholarship for technical theater, well I did)

Encore: How do you plan to use what you’ve learned through Encore or theater in general after graduation?
Brennen: I’m always going to be surrounded by theater. Encore taught me that theater is where I belong. As I grew up in the fast paced world of Arlington, Encore was my escape. Some how when I entered those stage doors I was safe, I put aside everything else in my life and just worked. I can’t thank Encore enough for setting me on the path for theater. Not to mention everything I learned from working tech and all the shows I could put on my resume to get into a college.

Encore: Do you have any advice for this year’s rising seniors at Encore?
Brennen: Enjoy every moment. Don’t be a diva. Help the little ones, try not to think you’re better than them. Be good, do good. Know that whatever you want to do is valid, even if it’s not the path everyone in Arlington expects you to go on. If theater has taught me anything, it’s that there is never one answer and never a direct path.

You can also find Brennen on Youtube at YouTube.com/brennenbeckwith
Photo Credit Larry McClemons