Today is the start of our Saturday Early Fall classes! To celebrate, we’re kicking off a new blog series focusing on our fabulous Education department. Welcome to the first installment of #StudioSaturday! Every few weeks, we’ll feature one of our talented teaching artists to get their thoughts on theatre education and give you the chance to get to know them better. This week, we’re kicking it off with an Encore favorite, Ms. Christina “Cici” Allen.
Encore: How long have you been teaching for Encore? In which capacities?
Cici: I have been teaching for Encore Stage and Studio for nine years. I have taught Saturday classes, after-school classes, and summer camps, such as It’s Elementary. I have worked the most with preschool and elementary school ages.
Encore: What’s the most valuable skill that theatre has taught you?
Cici: Theater has taught me many valuable skills, so it is difficult to choose just one. However, I would say one of the most valuable skills it has taught me is how to adapt to any challenge and situation that I encounter with an open mind and fresh ideas. Theater teaches improvisation and how to think of new ideas in the moment. I think that this inspires innovation within our students that can help them in all sorts of pursuits. I often come up with out-of-the-box ideas and I think I owe a lot of that skill to my theatrical training and teachers.
Encore: Why is arts education important for young people?
Cici: Arts education is so critical for young people’s development. In addition to helping students develop their cultural awareness, confidence, and social-emotional development, it also helps support their overall intelligence. Students make meaningful connections with their classmates and learn to collaborate; these are important life-skills that can help them in any aspect of life. Students also get substantial linguistic development through reading literature and being exposed to new vocabulary. Also, many students will find an interest that is enjoyable that they can continue for their entire lifetimes either as spectators or performers.
Encore: Complete this sentence: “I’m most looking forward to teaching _____ because _____.”
Cici: I’m most looking forward to teaching Saturday theater classes because I love to watch the kids make meaningful connections in class, experiment with new skills, and perform a final showcase in front of their parents. Their faces show how proud of themselves they are once the performance is shared!
Don’t miss your chance to work with Ms. Cici and our other amazing teaching artists! Register for Late Fall classes today to ensure your spot in your preferred class. Check out our Class page for more information on our course offerings, then register online or by calling us at (703) 548-1154. Have a great semester, Early Fall classes; we’ll be back soon with another installment of #StudioSaturday!
Photos by Aileen Pangan and Connie Polnow. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.