Photo by Caitlyn Barron for Allstate Insurance Company
1) Helping Hands
To kick things off, Jim Clancy gave his time and helped us to receive a $500 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant. The Allstate Foundation supports the causes that Allstate agency owners, financial specialists, and employees care about most by providing Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grants to nonprofits where they volunteer their time to help communities thrive. When he’s not busy serving on Encore’s Board of Directors, Jim continues to volunteer his time as a director and stage combat instructor throughout the seasons. Learn more about Jim and his work with Encore here.
We are so grateful to volunteers like Jim and organizations like The Allstate Foundation for supporting non-profit organizations like Encore, especially during this uncertain time.
Snow White (Zoe Rocchio) and the Prince (James Brady). Photo by Larry McClemons.
2) Part of the Cause
As theatre practitioners, our Encore staff is used to rolling with the unexpected. When it became clear that our spring production of The Frog Prince of Spamalot would not be able to perform as planned, Encore’s resident costume designer, Debra Leonard, got to work creating cloth face masks to donate around the region. Fabric that was once destined to become clothing of fairy tale villagers is now performing its own kind of magic by keeping people safe!
3) Spring Has Sprung
This month Encore was proud to present two weeks of virtual spring break camp. After barely two weeks of preparation, our stellar Education team came together to adapt and create programming to engage our spring break students. Parents and students submitted high praise for the program and it was great to connect with our students face to face once more.
Graphic by Aimee Pangan
4) Log On + Tune In
In addition to spring break camps, Encore has also launched a bevy of virtual theatre classes for the spring. In addition to popular returning titles like The Actor’s Toolbox and Creative Dance, there are also brand-new script analysis classes available, taught by our very own Artistic Director Susan Keady! Whether you’re interested in a one-week or month-long class series, there is an exciting theatre journey waiting for YOU.
The young among us (including the young at heart) can tune in for a free Parent & Me class every Tuesday morning on Facebook and Instagram Live. Led by Ms. A, viewers will work out the wiggles through movement, stretching, music, and storytelling. We hope to see you in the comments!
Stretching to Grow
In our comedy classes, we teach the primary tenant of improvisational comedy (i.e. “improv”): “Yes; and…?” This simple phrase encapsulates the idea that we should always be moving forward, embracing changes and working to build something even better. This is the attitude that the entire Encore staff has taken on since the move to social distance and telework from home. This has led us to create virtual camps, host live classes, and even incorporate a new platform: IG TV. This series of live Instagram interviews is designed to bring together our staff and students during this physically distant time as we learn more about our teaching artists. Have questions or thinking of someone you’d like to see featured next? Send us a message and let us know!
Catch a Refill
Did you miss out on this season’s performances of Disney’s Frozen Jr. or Flip the Script? You’re in luck! Tune into Encore’s virtual Benefit Breakfast and you just might catch a reprise from some of this season’s favorite shows. Hear from student speakers, honor a beloved volunteer, and learn more about Encore’s mission, all from the comfort of your own home (and PJs… Your secret is safe with us!). Please invite loved ones from far and wide to learn more about Encore. As our primary fundraising event of the season, we’re counting on each and every one of you to spread the word to support Encore’s programming in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Images by Larry McClemons, Caitlyn Barron, Aileen Pangan Christian, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Graphic design by Aimee Pangan.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.