Category: The Front Row

Encore’s #FridayFive Series – November 5, 2021

Hello Encore fam!

We’re highlighting 5 exciting Encore news today for our new #FridayFive Series! Here’s what’s coming your way at Encore:

#1 – Audition for Cinderella!

Auditions are Tuesday, November 9, 2021 | 5-6:30pm

Cinderella cast and crew will be open to vaccinated students ages 12 and older. Until all children have access to a vaccine, Encore Stage & Studio will require masks for our audience and staff.

Cherrydale United Methodist Church (3701 Lorcom Lane Arlington, VA 22207).
 The Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte may be centuries old, but it’s alive and well in this rollicking play-within-a-play!  The lively commedia troupe spices up the classic Cinderella story with sharp wit, slapstick shenanigans, and endless silly squabbles (including baguette fencing, laugh duels, and slap fights).

#2 – Encore’s 2021 Spirit Store is BACK!

Cozy up with some Encore spirit! Our spirit store returns with fun Encore apparel including hoodies, pajama pants and more! The store will close and orders will be collected on November 19 at midnight, and shipped approximately 2 weeks later.

Shop now at the Spirit Store!

 

#3 –   Spaces for Holiday Mini-Camps are selling out fast!

Our holiday mini-camps are on demand more than ever!  Enroll early to secure your spot today!

For Grades K-5
Date/Holidays  – Themes
November 11, 2021 – Robin Hood — holiday mini-camp sold out! E-mail education@encorestage.org to join the waitlist!
November 24, 2021 – How To Train Your Dragon
December 20, 2021 – 101 Dalmatians
December 21, 2021 – Mitchells vs. the Machines
December 22, 2021 – Frozen 2
December 23, 2021 – Polar Express

#4 – Flip the Script is in the works!

Our Flip the Script cast is already in rehearsal and has met with our Costume Designer, Debra Leonard!

 #5 – Enchanted Bookshop opens this month!

When an important holiday present disappears, it’s up to our come-to-life book characters to solve the mystery of the missing bookmark and save the day for Ellen — all without giving away their magical existence. Characters include the Nutcracker Prince, Amy March, the Velveteen Rabbit, the Little Match Girl, and even Ebenezer Scrooge himself! It’s a hilarious, heartwarming tale that reminds us that the best gifts don’t come wrapped in pretty paper and bows.

November 19-21 & December 3-5, 2021
Gunston Arts Center (2700 S. Lang St. Arlington, VA 22206)

Buy tickets today!

Hello Summer!

Hello summer! Summer 2021 is finally here and camps have started TODAY! We’re so excited to be back with a summer loaded with fun!

Meet our summer team from camp directors, teaching artists, choreographers, camp counselors and more!

Want to join in on all the summer fun? Check out our available camps:

Enroll in your summer adventure today!

 

Our Top 7 Funniest Camps of Summer 2021!

April is National Humor Month and we’re highlighting our funniest camps this summer has to offer!

All of our camps are full of fun and laughter. These camps will sure to make you laugh til your hearts’ content!

# 1 – Scooby Doo Mysteries for Ages 5-9
What would you do for a Scooby snack? Come along with Shaggy and the rest of the gang to solve the mystery and apprehend the villain. This camp calls for lots of teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. You’ll hear the villain say, “I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids and your dog!”

# 2 – Tales of the Wild, Wild West for Ages 5-9
Calling all cowpoke! Come join us for a week of tall tales and folklore around the campfire. We will explore the open range and honor Native American storytelling. Campers are encouraged to dress in their finest country western attire; ten-gallon hats welcome. Of course, there will be socially distanced line dancing, so prepare to move. Yee-haw!

#3 – Improv-a-thon for Ages 8-12
Are you ready for hilarity, silliness, and a whole new style of theatre? Yes, and? The fun doesn’t stop during this week-long improvised comedy intensive. Develop characters, set the scene, and write your own story…all on the spot. Whether you’re completely new to improv or a seasoned comedy lover, every camp comes to life in brand new ways!

#4 – Twelfth Night for Ages 8-12
Explore acting opposites of tragedy and comedy and decide for yourself which will reign supreme! Actors will delve into the extremes of both comedic and dramatic acting styles as well as the skills needed for both. Culminating in a performance of scripted scenes, students can embrace both their inner clown and tragedian.

#5 – Big Bad the Musical for Ages 11-15
A courtroom has never been more lively and fun than in The Big Bad Musical!  The jury — your audience — must decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairy-tale world!  The notorious Big Bad Wolf is being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by storybooks of quirky characters who want to get even:  Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs, and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf.  With Sydney Grimm as the commentator on live Court TV, the two greatest legal minds in the Enchanted Forest — the Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother — clash in a trial that will be remembered forever after.  As our wronged fairy tale characters testify, the wolf seems deserving of all that’s coming.  Yet, even though the infamous Evil Stepmother resents doing pro-bono work on such an obviously futile defense, Mr. Wolf makes a good case for himself.  Was he born a criminal, or made one?  

 

#6 – Complaint Department & Lemonade for Ages 11-15
People will complain about anything — not almost anything, but absolutely anything! In this rapid succession of hysterical grievances, the complaint department takes on everything from Oreo icing to kleptomania and from songs stuck in the head to the price of cheese and on and on and on.  Could there be a glimmer of hope for anyone in charge of a complaint department?

#7 – Comic Book Artist for Ages 11-15
Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz wants nothing more than to become a comic book artist.  When he gets a job as a janitor at Wonder Comics, he anxiously awaits the day that his boss, D.C.  Wunderman, will notice his drawings and discover his artistic genius.  It seems like that day will never come until Wunderman invests in a shipment of magical pens, guaranteed to bring to life any character his artists create.  When the staff artists unwittingly unleash the dreaded Doctor Shock Clock, it is up to Stanley to create his own team of superheroes.  Will they have the superpowers to conquer this dastardly super-villain, who can stop time with the snap of his fingers?  Only time will tell!  Doctor Shock Clock is off to where else but Times Square to pull off the greatest heist of all time.  Watch as the egotistical Star Guy and his “Charisma Ray,” Triple Time with his super fast speed, environmentally correct Blossom with her magical sleeping potion flowers, and the slightly grouchy but goodhearted Wombat Woman combine their special powers to try to stop the dastardly deed!  Your audiences will cheer and laugh out loud when the superheroes battle Shock Clock and his henchmen, the Minutos, only to be saved in the end by the greatest superhero of them all — Eraser Man (a.k.a.  Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz)!Enroll online today for your most hilarious summer ever!

Graphic designs by Aileen Pangan Christian. Photos by Cindy Kane Photography and Connie Polnow. 

 

International Mermaid Day | 3 Shorestopping Camps That are Making a Splash!

Happy International Mermaid Day!
Mermaids of Encore-past have always found fintastic adventures. Today we’re highlighting 3 shorestopper camps that will mer-make your summer!

July 12 – 16, 2021 – Ocean Adventures for ages 3-5

Let’s dive into the ocean and learn all about the unique creatures that live in the sea. Who knows? We might even meet a “baby shark…doo…doo…doo…baby shark?”

August 23 – 27, 2021 – Island Adventures for ages 5-9

Cool ocean breezes, mermaids and pirates await you on our island of adventure! We’ll use some of our favorite stories of the tropics and the sea to launch our imaginations.

June 21 – 25, 2021 – Summer Stories for ages 8-12

Want to write your own mermaid adventure? This is the camp for you! Under the guidance of our professional teaching artists, bring all your wildest imaginations from your mind to the page and, perhaps, to the stage!

Be sure to bring your friends. We can’t wait to “sea” you this summer!

Photos by Larry McClemons and Rosemarie O’Connor

Happy International Women’s Day! | Favorite Female Characters

Happy International Women’s Day!

We celebrate today by taking a look at some of our favorite female characters!

#1 – Mary Poppins

“Practically perfect in every way”– Mary Poppins exuded confidence and encouraged the Banks children to use their creativity and imagination. Looking for a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious summer? Sign up for Broadway Kids: Classics!

#2 – Princess Fred from Once Upon a Mattress

Princess Winnifred from Once Upon a Mattress portrayed strength and a positive attitude. If you love a challenge like Princess Winnifred or desire a royal adventure, try The Amazing Race or Fairytale Kingdom camp this summer!

#3 – Musketeerettes
Our swashbuckling lady musketeers showed courage and helped saved the day to rescue the king’s dog.

If you’re craving for a swashbuckling time this summer, sign up for our Adventure Acting and Stage Combat camp at Scenes for Tweens!

#4 – Queen Elsa from Disney’s Frozen Jr.
We followed Queen Elsa’s journey to being true to herself and embracing her powers. Looking for a frosty adventure? Try the Sights and Sounds of Winter Wonderland this summer!

#5 – Fiona from Shrek the Musical

Fiona taught us that everyone’s “happily ever after” is unique. Speaking of happily ever after, join us for our summer camp that celebrates different fairytale endings!

Who are some of your favorite female characters?

Ready to explore theatre and new characters this summer? Join us for our in-person camps!

Photos by Larry McClemons, Aileen Pangan Christian, and Cindy Kane Photography

What’s New at Encore by the Numbers

It’s a new month and we have new things in store for Encore! From in-person camp to virtual workshops, we’re excited for it all! Check it out by the numbers:

#5 – FIVE Days of Fun for Spring Break Camp!

We’re excited to announce our spring break camp will be outdoors and in-person! This year, spring break camp is inspired by our favorite movies! Small groups of students will enjoy movement, theatre games and crafts led by Encore’s Teaching Artists. We are excited to provide an opportunity for students to spend (socially distanced) time with friends and activate their creativity!

Students and staff must wear masks, practice social distancing and pass a Covid-19 health screening and temperature check daily. Enrollment is a la carte. Enroll for select days to fit your schedule or the entire week.

Spring Break Camp Dates and Themes:
Monday, March 29 – Over the Moon
Tuesday, March 30 – The Sword in the Stone
Wednesday, March 31 – The Emperor’s New Groove
Thursday, April 1 – Tangled
Friday, April 2 – Wonder Park

Morning Camp: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Fee: $70 per day; $315 full week

Afternoon Camp: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Fee: $52 per day; $235 full week

Location: Encore @ Cherrydale UM Church
3701 Lorcom Ln, Arlington, VA 22207

#4 – FOUR New Virtual Workshops in February!

Fairytale Action Virtual Workshop for Grades K-3
Friday, February 26
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Fee: $35

Improv for Kids Virtual Workshop for Grades 2-3
Saturday, February 13
Times: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Fee: $35

Myths & Legends Virtual Workshop for Grades 4-5
Saturday, February 13
Times: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Fee: $35

Modern Dance Virtual Workshop for Grades 6-12
Monday, February 15
Times: 11:15 am-1:15 pm
Fee: $35

#3 – THREE ways to support Encore!

-AmazonSmile
Be sure to select or renewed your AmazonSmile settings to support Encore Stage & Studio Inc in the Amazon shopping app! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations:
-Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
-Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
-Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

-Create a Fundraiser on Facebook
You can raise money on Facebook and select Encore Stage & Studio as your non-profit of choice! This is a great way to spread the word about the organization you love with all of your friends in one place!

Make a Gift on our Website
Your support is vital as we provide theatre arts opportunities to children and youth during the pandemic and as we look toward spring and summer. Help us get ready for the day we can turn on the stage lights!

#2 – TWO-Pack of Encore Face Masks are Available for Purchase!

Rock your Encore spirit while staying safe! Two-pack of 100% cotton antimicrobial reusable face masks are available for $14. A single face mask is available for $8.

#1 – ONE Awesome Summer Ahead!

Save the date: Encore’s Summer Camp Registration Opens on March 1st!

At Encore, we are already hard at work planning our award-winning camp programs! We believe that summer enrichment is essential to the social, emotional, and mental well-being of children in our community. We cannot wait to be back together again onstage.

We are currently planning for a fully in-person summer camp season. Session information will be posted to our website on February 15.

This school year, we have developed thorough COVID-19 procedures for our in-person classes. We will follow all CDC, Virginia and local health guidelines and adapt programming as pandemic conditions dictate, such as holding camp outdoors, adjusting enrollment capacity or adding additional locations. We have also updated our camp refund policy because we understand that all of us will need flexibility this summer!

You are invited to join us for a Summer Camp Parent Q&A session on Saturday, February 20 at 10 am via zoom.

We will share our exciting summer plans and we want to understand your questions and concerns.

That’s the latest on Encore! We can’t wait to see you all in our spring and summer programs!

Photos by Cindy Kane Photography

Encore partners with Arlington County for 2021 Virtual MLK Tribute

We’re so excited to partner with Arlington County for its annual tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! 

 Join us for a free online experience where the audience can choose what they want to see, when they want to see it. From music and dance to spoken word and community dialogues, there will be something for everyone! Join us and Arlington County to help carry on Dr. King’s legacy by remembering our history and joining us in a call to shape our future.

Encore students be featured in the spoken word section of the program. See our sneak peak below:

Our performers are:
Oliver Meek – “Listen”
Maddy Sadler – “Differences”
John Monaco -“Human to Human”

In addition, our Flip the Script students will show a highlighted clip, Change.

Tribute will be available online tomorrow, January 18 online. Click here to view the program.

5 Ways to Celebrate National Dance Day with Encore!

Hello Encore friends! National Dance Day is tomorrow, September 19. We have 5 ways to get moving and celebrate this fun day!

#1 – Enroll in our October Camp – Let’s Get Moving Mondays!

Small groups of students will enjoy movement, theatre games, and crafts led by Encore’s Teaching Artists. We are excited to provide an opportunity for students in grades K-5 to spend (socially distanced) time with friends and activate their creativity!

October Camp – Mondays, October 5, 12, 19, 26 (4 sessions)
Just 16 spots left!
Times: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fee: $220 – October Camp

#2 – Choreograph your Saturdays with a Theatre Class!

In-Person Outdoor Classes For Grades K-1
Fairytales with a Twist – Saturdays–Just 8 spots left!
Time: 9:30 – 10:45am
Fee: $105

In-Person Outdoor Classes For Grades 2-3
Around the World – Saturdays–Just 10 spots left!
Time: 10:00 – 11:15am
Fee: $105

In-Person Outdoor Classes For Grades 4-5
And… Action! – Saturdays–Just 7 spots left!
Time: 11:00am – 12:15pm
Fee: $105

Photo by Cindy Kane Photography

#3 – Step into Something New!

Bring Encore to YOU! Get a group of friends in your neighborhood and bring our class to you for a fun, theatrical, and safe time! Our professional teaching artists will come to your outdoor location and present a session of our Acting is for Everyone classes!
E-mail info@encorstage.org to learn more.

#4 – Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

Check out our past dancers and choreographers featured in our blog’s archives:
-Sisterhood, Choreography, and Fun: Frozen Jr. Director Sarah Conrad
-Wearing Many Hats – Alana Gibson
-Audition Tips from Newsies Choreographer Anneke Collins
-A True Musical Connoisseur Meet Lowry Palmer

#5 – Share Your Favorite Encore Dance Number!

What was your favorite dance number from an Encore production? Was it with Olaf in Disney’s Frozen Jr., did it involve a Who from Seussical the Musical, or a memorable dance from a Stage Door show? Share it with us on social media and be sure to mention @EncoreArlington!


We can’t wait to see how you’ll celebrate National Dance day with us! Dance is a great way to express yourself. Make the arts a part of your every day–Encore’s October in-person and virtual classes will be announced soon, stay tuned!

Photos by Cindy Kane Photography

Virtual Camp Review: Maria, Miles, & Morgan

We’re back on The Front Row blog with another parent review of this summer’s virtual camp programs. Maria was kind enough to share the experiences of her students Morgan and Miles, who have participated in many virtual camps with Encore this summer. Read on to hear more of her thoughts:

This is our family’s first experience with Encore. We are not from the area and heard about Encore when we were visiting Washington, DC last year. We were interested in watching their production of Disney’s Frozen Jr. However, due to our busy schedule, we were unable to watch the show but included our name on their mailing list.

Disney’s Frozen Jr. (2019)

When the pandemic/lockdown happened, our kids’ yearly summer camp did not have any update on their opening, even closing in on the start of the summer vacation. Therefore, when I saw Encore’s email regarding their virtual summer camps for June and July, I signed up. I was having difficulties balancing work/life and needed the kids to have something to do even when they are home.

We registered with Encore for the whole summer (all except for one week for a family vacation), even extending through August when Encore decided to continue on with their virtual platform. Before summer camp started, I feared that the kids would not enjoy their experience as much as their yearly camp will be. I had no idea what to expect with the kids being in front of the computer from 10-4. I was wrong with my expectations and fear. The kids very much engaged in their camps. Every week seems to be a new adventure.

I was very glad that I made this decision.

The kids were very independent and required so little assistance from me that it helped with my work/life balance. The kids are so happy with their experience that they can’t seem to stop talking about their day and the teachers and friends. I can tell that they enjoyed their experience because they are so excited to start their day and disappointed when the week is over and they have to say goodbye to their teachers and friends. My son even makes it a point to be the last one to sign off from camp every day because he does not want to miss any minute of camp. The virtual experience really helped the kids maintain their social interaction with their peers and continue to develop their self-confidence. Both kids especially love the various games, the arts and crafts, and the tongue twisters in their weekly camps. We will miss Encore and wish that we could continue on with the virtual platform if offered in the future. We will make sure to visit when we are in the Virginia area.

A huge thanks to Maria and her students for sharing their experience and for making us smile in camps throughout the summer! We hope to see you in our future virtual workshops, classes, and camps. Once an Encore student, always a part of our fam!

Virtual Summer Camps for August

Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12)

August 31 – September 4, 2020 – Movie Mash-Up

Virtual Workshops for Ages 9-18

August 27: How to Nail Your Audition and Get the Role You Want (with Lisa Shaw)
September 1: How to Belt Without Straining (with Lisa Shaw)

In-Person Camps for Ages 11-18

August 31 – September 4, 2020: Theatre Lovers’ Project – Scene Study (ages 11-18)

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Additional photos contributed by the Masinsin family and members of the Encore Ambassadors. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

Virtual Camp Review: Jeff & Colin

We’re back on The Front Row blog with another parent review of this summer’s virtual camp programs. We’re excited to share another family’s perspective, so we’ll get right to it:

Encore: Please briefly introduce yourself. What was your family’s previous experience with Encore prior to this summer, if any?

Jeff: Our son had participated in a couple of Encore camps and was cast in one Encore production. He’s had a great time in everything he’s done with Encore and was looking forward to this year’s camps.

Encore: If you weren’t already enrolled in an Encore camp, what prompted you to seek out/sign up for virtual summer camp programming?

Jeff: Our son was already enrolled in Encore camp. When we told him that the camp would be online, we figured that he would ask us to switch to a different camp experience. Instead, he was committed to sticking with his Encore camp.

Encore: What expectations did you have about virtual programming before the camp started?

Jeff: He said that he was worried that the virtual camp wouldn’t be as much fun as the in-person camp and that he wouldn’t have fun. He was surprised at how much he enjoyed the online camp and we were surprised at how upbeat and engaged he was. It was cool to hear him in his room singing, laughing, and acting during the day.

Encore: What new skills or lessons did your child learn from their time at camp?

Jeff: He learned how a bit about camera work as he was working to get himself correctly in the frame during the camp performances.

Encore: Are there any key moments from your student’s virtual camp experience that particularly stand out in your memory (a favorite song they learned, a new friend they made, etc.)?

Jeff: He really got into the character he was cast as and enjoyed the opportunity to work on his comedic chops.

Encore: Any words of advice to future virtual participants/their families?

Jeff: I was blown away by the high energy level the Encore staff brought to the camp experience. That enthusiasm was infectious and the kids seemed to engage more as a result. If you know your child is into performing, then they should have a great time with the Encore camp, even with the limitations of the virtual format.

Thank you to the Lee family, for both their honest feedback and for joining us for virtual camp this summer. There is still time for you to register and join their ranks as unique theatre-makers this year.

Virtual Summer Camps for August

Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12)

August 31 – September 4, 2020 – Movie Mash-Up

Virtual Workshops for Ages 9-18

August 27: How to Nail Your Audition and Get the Role You Want (with Lisa Shaw)
September 1: How to Belt Without Straining (with Lisa Shaw)

In-Person Camps for Ages 6-18

August 31 – September 4, 2020: Let’s Get Moving – Mind, Body, and Imagination (ages 6-11)
August 31 – September 4, 2020: Theatre Lovers’ Project – Scene Study (ages 11-18)

Enrollment closes at 5 PM EST the Sunday prior to the start of camp.

Photos by Connie Polnow and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.