Intern Diary #1: Meet Community Engagement Intern, Maddie Pages

Now that I’ve finished my first two weeks as Encore’s Marketing (or Community Engagement) Intern for Summer 2014, I thought it was about time that I introduced myself to the blogosphere.

A little about me…

I am a rising sophomore at Barnard College in New York City, fulfilling my ultimate destiny of living in the Big Apple (and right on Broadway, no less). Even though I spend most of my year out of town, I am a native Arlingtonian, and a Yorktown High School alum. I am also an Encore alum!
Once upon a time (i.e. 5 years ago), I was cast in Encore’s production of Snow White. Since then, I’ve been on the cast or crew for five Encore productions. I’ve missed Encore so much, and I’m ecstatic about being back!

At Barnard, I am an English Major, with a specialization in Theatre and Creative Writing. My love of theatre and the community it fosters led me to seek out opportunities to get involved in theatre groups at school, where I am a stage manager with King’s Crown Shakespeare Troupe at Columbia University. Although I have been in my fair share of productions as a performer, my most cherished aspirations with regard to theatre are more focused behind the scenes. I love being a stage manager, and I hope to direct productions someday soon, but my real dream is to be a playwright. I may never would have come to that realization had Encore not been a part of my life. If anyone is wondering why I’m working at Encore this summer, I hope that answers your question…
…at least in part. I’ve also been looking forward to this opportunity to come back to Encore as way to explore my interest in arts education (especially theatre programs). I think that youth arts programs are the most important part of any kid’s journey to adulthood. Whether those programs will lead them on a path towards a career in the arts, or just provide a vital outlet in the present, exposure to the arts can change a child’s life. The arts programs I participated in during my childhood, which include Encore, definitely changed mine.

What I’m Working On…

-Did you know encore will be coming up on it’s 48th season this fall? No? Well, part of my job is to connect with those 48 seasons of alumni, and rekindle their love of all things Encore…just in time for Encore to hit 50!
-Writing letters to local businesses who can advertise in our 2014/2015 Season playbills
-Visiting our amazing summer camps and Once Upon a Mattress rehearsals (you can see some of the pictures I’ve been taking here. Keep an eye out for more in future social media posts)
-Bonding with the other interns while tie-dying our super awesome Encore Staff t-shirts
-Managing Encore’s social media presence (the blog, our many Facebook pages, etc)
-Attending meetings and seminars such as “On Ardent Public Support” for Nonprofit Marketing Strategy

(Our Executive Director teaching improv at Stage Door)

What I’m Looking Forward to This Summer…

-ONCE UPON A MATTRESS!
-Seeing all of your beautiful faces at the Arlington County Fair in a few weeks
-All the amazing activities going on at our many summer camps
-Writing more blog posts ☺

(I took some pretty funky photos at Once Upon A Mattress rehearsal)

Well, that’s all folks! I hope your summer is off to an awesome start. I know mine is! And I’m looking forward to great things to come, so look for more posts from me soon!

Thanks for reading!