Welcome back to Encore’s Front Stage blog! Today we’re excited to share an interview with Xander Tilock, the student director of Just Like Us, the first installment of the new Encore Cares project. This is a community service based program that brings a live theatre experience to kids who may not be able to access the theater. This production will travel to the Culmore Boys and Girls Club to share the joy of theatre with all members of our community, as well as performing at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Encore: Tell us about yourself! How long have you been involved with Encore and how did you come to be a director at such a young age?
Xander: I’ve been involved with Encore since January 2015, first appearing onstage as Guard 1 and Thug 3 in Encore’s The Three Musketeers. However, being a director someday was my first dream, since I was four years old. Once I saw an Encore show for the first time, I also wanted to make the audience laugh and be onstage as an actor. After participating in five shows as a cast member, I am thrilled to fulfill this dream of mine by directing this show.
Encore: What drew you toward the role of director?
Xander: There is nothing like the genuine laughter of a young child who is watching a story come to life on stage. Once the curtain goes down, everyone walks away with something special too. In my littlest brother’s case, he always takes the characters home with him after the show and they live in his imagination for years afterwards! Encore is my family. I love everyone and their unique characteristics. From my view, this passion is one that I want to share with everyone, even if they aren’t able to experience it at a typical Encore performance.
Encore: Could you tell us a bit about Just Like Us? What influenced your choice of this script?
Xander: I chose Just Like Us because right away I knew I wanted a short play with a powerful message. When doing a search and this show came up, I was drawn to it right away. This play is by Craig Sodaro who also wrote Night at The Wax Museum (a recent Encore play I was in) and other great shows. Just Like Us also has a message that most resembles how I feel when I’m at Encore. Anyone can be or do anything they choose, and that is beautiful. This is what Encore means to me.
Encore: What’s been the best part of the rehearsal process?
Xander: Probably that awesome feeling when I arrive at Encore and someone says, “Hi Xander!” To know that I have an important role to play and that I feel I have a family at Encore is a very special to me.
Encore: What do you enjoy most about working with other young theatre-makers?
Xander: That it’s easy to have a good chemistry and connect with my fellow Encore family. They truly understand the circumstances that kids my age have and experience every day, which they bring to all of the great work they do.
Encore: What’s been the biggest challenge?
Xander: Probably that kids can be involved in lots of activities and schedules can be hard. Now I see from the director’s point of view what happens when kids miss rehearsals. But, Encore is worth every moment that you put in, which comes across when everyone gives their best on stage.
Encore: Could you describe Just Like Us in just a few short words?
Xander: Life can be hard, but united we win.
Encore: What about anyone who might be considering auditioning for the cast or crew of a show?
Xander: You need to be the right piece of the puzzle the director is looking for – and if it doesn’t fit this time, don’t give up, because there’s always another show!
Thanks so much for discussing the show with us, Xander. We want to say “Break legs!” to you and the whole cast of Just Like Us as you prepare for your performances this week.
If you’re hoping to audition for Encore this coming season, be sure to mark your calendars for our Season Reveal Ice Cream Social on June 4th. It will follow the 3 PM performance of The Jungle Book. We are so excited to share our 50th Anniversary season with you – we guarantee that it will be #SweeterThanEver!
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan
Blog contribution: Shannon McCarthy, 2016-17 Arts Apprentice