Let the Sun Shine on Your Friday the 13th!
Greetings, Encore family! We hope that your #FrontRowFriday the 13th is full of lots of sunshine and few spooks. Today, we’re happy to remind you that spring classes start in just one week! Not sure which path to take? Fear not! We’ll walk you through a few different tracks that Encore has to offer this season.
9:00 am–9:45 am
Preschool – Action Songs and Finger Plays
11:15 am–12:15 pm
K-1st – Creative Dance
Interested in private voice or piano lessons? Click here to learn more!
10:00 am–11:00 am
4th-5th – Sideways Stories from Wayside School
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
2nd-3rd – Laugh Out Loud
11:15 am–12:15 pm
6th-8th – Advanced Acting
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
6th-8th – Monologue Coaching
All classes are held at Encore’s Main Campus, located at 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA 22207. Enroll online or call (703) 548-1154. Registration closes Thursday, April 19th, so don’t wait – call today!
Photos by Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
50 Years in 25 Seconds | Celebrate the Memories at our 50th Anniversary Bash!
Encore’s 50th Anniversary Bash
Join Encore for a stylish evening of entertainment and delicious hors d’oeuvres celebrating “theatre by kids, for kids” for half a century. Funds raised from the evening benefit Encore’s scholarship and access programs. Spread the word and bring your friends to make this party even more unforgettable.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Columbus Club of Arlington
5115 Little Falls Rd. Arlington, VA 22207
Doors Open 7:00 PM
Silent Auction | Open Dance Floor | Raffle
Performances from Encore’s Past & Present
Tickets: $75 Adults: $60 Middle School & High School Students
Creative cocktail attire. Complimentary parking.
Since we have ONE week left to purchase your tickets online, we wanted to share our FIRST show memories!
Here’s our Encore Alum-turned-Development Associate, Rosemarie O’Connor’s first show memories:
My First Show: As a participant Once Upon A Mattress (2014). As an intern Alice in Wonderland (2015).
My favorite memory from Mattress would have to be learning the Spanish Panic! It was a tough dance and my partner Kerry and I tried to hide in the back at dance rehearsals but that didn’t last. It was a challenge but I had so much fun with it.
My favorite memory from Alice would have to be meeting the full Encore team my first weekend at the show. I learned Box Office basics with Aileen and Sara, front of house from Rebecca, and how to run the information table from Caroline and Kelsey. Susan came by and gave the backstage and behind the scenes information about the show.
Here’s Director of Marketing and Design Aileen Pangan first show memory:
My first season was 2011/2012 and my first show was Robin Hood at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre! I remember watching the show for the first time and thinking, how’s Robin going to climb up the building!? I was impressed by the magic that the theatre provided and how professional our young actors were to perform in a totally new space!
Here’s Executive Director Sara Duke’s first show memory:
First show directed: The Little Mermaid Jr. 2009, and a memorable moment for me was teaching a clam to dance with no arm movements!
The first (and only!) Encore show I was in was Pirates of Penzance 2012!
What was your first Encore show? Share your first show experience with us @encorearlington and
Focusing on Quality with Gabe MacPhail #FrontRowFriday
Happy #FrontRowFriday, everyone! Last week, we had the pleasure of chatting with a multi-show participant of the Musical Theatre Intensive. Today we’re pumped to hear from a student that’s new to the program, playing James himself – give it up for Gabe MacPhail!
Encore: Welcome to the Front Row blog! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Could you share a bit about how long you’ve been involved with Encore and the types of activities you participate in here?
Gabe: I’ve been involved with Encore about four years. I was in the cast of Sleepy Hollow and Twelfth Night. I did crew for Fairy Tale Christmas Carol and The Jungle Book. I took part in Annie, Jr and Singin’ In The Rain, Jr [as a part of Encore’s Stage Door summer camp].
Encore: What is your role in James and the Giant Peach? Do you get to work with any unusual puppets or costume pieces for your character?
GM: I play James. I don’t have any unusual costume pieces because I’m just a boy, but I get to interact with puppets.
Encore: What prompted you to sign up for MTI?
GM:The schedule worked around my hockey games and practices, which was kind of a miracle. I hadn’t done cast in a while because it’s hard to find the time.
Encore: What do you enjoy the most about the MTI process that stands out from other productions you’ve been a part of?
GM: The directors and the cast are very serious about working hard so the show ends up being really good. We also had a lot more time to rehearse.
Encore: What’s your favorite aspect of working with MTI? What’s the most challenging part of the process?
GM: My favorite aspect of working with MTI is that they focus on quality. The most challenging part is devoting that much time to one program when I have a pretty busy life.
Encore: Please describe James and the Giant Peach in five words or short phrases.
GM: Mosty remarculously fantasmoriphic show ever!
Encore: Anything else you’d like to tell audience members in advance?
GM: I don’t want to spoil the show – just enjoy it!
Join Gabe (as James) on his fantastical adventure in James and the Giant Peach, opening TONIGHT! Get your tickets now because you won’t want to miss out! Purchase online or by calling the Box Office at 703-548-1154.
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Graphic design by Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Improving the Craft with MTI Student Dahlia Vicens
Happy #FrontRowFriday, Encore family! Today we’re thrilled to chat with a life-long Encore participant, Dahlia Vicens, as she prepares for her role in Musical Theatre Intensive’s production of James and the Giant Peach.
Encore: Welcome to the Front Row blog! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Could you share a bit about how long you’ve been involved with Encore and the types of activities you participate in here?
Dahlia: I’ve been involved with Encore since I was 4. I’ve participated in many camps such as Stage Door, Scenes for Tweens and It’s Elementary. And I’ve even volunteered for It’s Elementary twice. I’ve also taken some Encore classes such as Make ‘Em Laugh and Broadway Boot Camp. I’ve also been in the cast of a few shows such as: Hansel and Gretel, Treasure Island, Cul de Sac, A Little Princess, The Best Haunted House Ever. I did front-of-house crew for Mary Poppins. I also participated in last year’s MTI production of Godspell.
Encore: What is your role in James and the Giant Peach? Do you get to work with any unusual puppets or costume pieces for your character?
DV: Earthworm. She’s both a boy and a girl. And she gets scared easily. I think that’s it. I don’t want to spoil it too much for people. I get to work with a yellow umbrella but it’s called a parasol in the show.
Encore: Why did you decide to enroll in MTI the first time?
DV: My mother encouraged me because she knew it would offer more singing and dancing opportunities. And also because she LOVES Godspell.
Encore: What do you enjoy the most about the MTI process that stands out from other Encore productions?
DV: What I enjoy the most about MTI is that they prepare us for a professional audition so if we want to continue doing musical theater in the future, then we’ll know what to expect and how to prepare for it. For our roles, even though we will all be cast in the show, we have an audition process so we can all see what a professional audition is like.
Encore: What’s your favorite aspect of working with MTI? What’s the most challenging part of the process?
DV: My favorite aspect of MTI is working with Doug and Kelsey because they care about us and genuinely improving our craft. MTI is all THREE things that I love to do: sing, dance, and act. I love learning choreography from Kelsey. The most challenging part is making time to practice at home because you have to balance it with school, home and other activities.
Encore: Please describe James and the Giant Peach in five words or short phrases.
DV: Fun, magical, adventurous, dark, colorful
Encore: Anything else you’d like to tell audience members in advance?
DV: There are some really great songs in the show and the show is lively!
You won’t want to miss all of the hard work the awesome students of MTI have put into this production – purchase your tickets today!
Photos by Larry McClemons, Aileen Pangan, and Nathan Bowen. Graphic design by Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Paying Attention with Lighting Designer Ian Claar #TechTuesday
Time to make like good actors and “find your light,” because today’s #TechTuesday post features lighting designer Ian Claar. We’re excited to learn more about his background in tech, as well as his vision for James and the Giant Peach, opening this Friday!
Encore: Thank you for joining us on the Front Row blog. Could you share a bit about your background and how you’re involving with Encore?
Ian: My name is Ian Claar, and I’ve been involved in theatre since the age of 12. I began learning lights in community theatre before taking professional jobs, and eventually also studying to, and becoming a stage combat choreographer. [Ian has also designed lights for last season’s Godspell and The Tempest, as well as assistant lighting designing multiple shows in Encore’s 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.]
Encore: What is your earliest theatrical memory? What prompted you to get involved in the arts?
IC: I began my theatrical journey when my middle school decided to put on its first ever production. I had already been involved in the morning news show, and so was asked if I wanted to run lights. After that, I just never stopped.
Could you briefly describe your creative process when it comes to lighting design? Does it remain generally the same or does it vary by show?
IC: I always start generally the same way. Reading a script and getting a sense of the environment and mood, and then talking with the director to understand their vision and begin to form more concrete ideas about how the lighting can enhance the other aspects of the production design.
Encore: How does your approach differ when designing for a black box space and a more traditional proscenium theater?
IC: I certainly prefer designing for black box over proscenium. There’s so much more opportunity to make an inclusive and intimate environment with which to draw an audience into the world of the play. That being said, the approach for proscenium, in my mind, becomes a much simpler forward-back approach, to the thinking from every side element of black box.
Please describe your design for James in the Giant Peach in three words or short phrases.
IC: Whimsy, color, depth.
Encore: What would you recommend to any young people who might be interested in lighting design?
IC: Get involved in the arts in your area. Theatre, dance, high school, anything. Start learning about the processes of the people already doing it and form your own method. Pay attention to your everyday environment. How does lighting play a role in a sunny day vs a cloudy one? How to do the lights in your living room differ from your school or office? How do movies and TV use colors to influence the mood of the scene? As designers, we must think creatively about all aspects of the world we live in.
Thank you for your thoughtful insight, Ian! We are so lucky to have talented designers like you working with Encore students to create fantastic and beautiful shows. You won’t want to miss out on Ian’s latest designs in James and the Giant Peach, opening this Friday. Get your tickets today!
Photos by: Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Graphic design by: Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
3 Reasons to You’ll Want to Enroll in Our Spring Classes!
Happy #FrontRowFriday! The snow is melting and we’re starting to see spring in the air! We’ve got 3 reasons you’ll want to enroll in our spring classes, running April 21- May 12 2018.
1 – Discover Your Passion!
All of our classes are taught by professional teaching artists, and lessons are designed to fit the skills and interests of the students enrolled. You may discover different stories you’ll love, styles of storytelling and even movement and music!
2 – Sharpen Your Theatre Skills!
For our youngest students, we emphasize the excitement of discovering the power of the imagination and how a story can be told on stage. We then move forward by helping students to focus on the creative process; what can they create as a team? As students progress, we ask them to make informed decisions to craft compelling scenes onstage. We refine techniques, help our students to build confidence as performers and people, and challenge them to practice thinking quickly and responding authentically.
3 – Make New Friends!
In theatre, not only will you learn about teamwork, you can also gain a new friend! Our Saturday classes are a great way to meet new people outside of your school or neighborhood and make new friendships! Invite your friends to join the class and make it double the fun!
Spring Classes:
9:00am–9:45am
Preschool – Action Songs and Finger Plays
10:00am–11:00am
K-1st – Oh the Places You’ll Go!
2nd-3rd – Rabbit Tales
4th-5th – Sideways Stories from Wayside School
11:15am–12:15pm
K-1st – Creative Dance
4th-5th – Anansi & Other Tales from Africa
6th-8th – Advanced Acting
2nd-3rd – Laugh Out Loud
6th-8th – Monologue Coaching
Enroll in your Spring adventure today!
Looking for spring break options April 2-6? Check out our spring break camp and enroll online today.
Photos by Aileen Pangan and A.K. Nell
3 Encore Experiences Transformed into Life-long Lessons
As part of Encore’s 50th Anniversary, we are collecting stories from people who went from “theatre by kids, for kids” to grown-ups making an impact. Here are 3 stories, messages and lessons from Encore Alumni that have filed our hearts!
Our mission at Encore is to build a life-long appreciation for live-theatre onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience. However, that life-long appreciation also comes with the invaluable life skills that theatre provides. Take a look at how some of our alumni take what they’ve learned from Encore and grown.
1) Stage Door to Board Room
“Being involved in Children’s Theatre of Arlington, Stage Door and now Encore Stage has been one of the major transformational experiences of my life. I was painfully shy as a child and was introduced to Stage Door at the age of 10 when a classmate recommended it. It brought me out of my shell and gave me a safe community and interpersonal skills that helped me from elementary school through graduate school, and beyond into my professional life. I felt like I found my groove somehow. I spent many years speaking and teaching in my industry, based largely on the experience with Stage Door. My daughter is now getting interested in acting, and has attended Encore Stage performances and camps. She loves it and I trust the team and program. Congratulations on your golden anniversary! And thank you for five decades of dedication to and support for all of our kids and the arts.”
2) Improvising the Way to a New Attitude
“I was one of those kids who would pray to not have a snow day so that I could go do rehearsal.” –Olivia T.
Olivia shares her story:
Here’s what she learned from her unexpected improv experience: “It showed me that I could adapt to a challenge. I could think on my feet. I could improvise. It kind of made me believe in myself that I could face anything that could happen on stage. I just want to thank Encore for everything; the memories and the friends, and it means a lot.”
3) From the Audience to On-Stage, to Life Long Friends
Thomas has been onstage, backstage, and in the audience. His Encore journey led him to learn life lessons, put on some fun shows and meet friends who he still keeps in touch with 600 miles away.
Here is his biggest takeaway from his time with Encore: “The greatest thing that I learned from Encore is the absolute and total respect that every single person deserves. No matter their race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. Everyone at Encore is treated so well and it’s something I noticed from day one… I remember looking up to the older members of the show so much and they were just the greatest role models that they could be. And they rubbed off on me to be the a role model once I was the older kid in the show.”
Bonus! Here’s a look at how Encore helped Christine gain the confidence to follow her passion!
“I still draw tools and confidence I gained onstage and behind the scenes daily in my career now as a biomedical engineer.”
We’re so honored to hear these amazing stories from our alumni! Here are 3 things you can do to help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary:
1) Share your Encore Story! We are looking for participants past and present, parents, and volunteers to make videos just like Christine and Oliva’s! Click for details on our 50 for 50 Video Guidelines Be sure to share the link with your fellow cast and crew mates! BONUS–Take it a step further and share your Encore photos with us on social media with @encorearlington. Be sure to check our #WaybackWednesday & #ThrowbackThursday and reminisce on the good ol’ Encore days!
2) Buy your Tickets to the Bash! Party with us and enjoy a stylish evening at the Bash on Saturday, April 28th, 2018 at the Columbus Club of Arlington! Tickets are available online. Help us make it a reunion to remember and buy your tickets today.
3) Make a donation! Support “Theatre by Kids, for Kids” as we look towards 50 more years and beyond! Click here to donate to Encore Stage & Studio’s scholarship and access programs today. Be sure to select 50th Anniversary Bash for the Donation Designation.
4 Ways to “Feel Lucky” at Encore This St. Patty’s Day!
Sometimes you wish for a leprechaun’s magic, a four-leaf clover, or a lucky gold coin before you step into the audition room, but fear not! Today we’re sharing four ways to get you “feeling lucky” for Encore’s upcoming Pinocchio and Seussical auditions.
1) Planning is the best preparation! When you have auditions on your calendar, they’ll be on your mind, helping you to prepare to combat your nerves. In case you need a reminder, here are the upcoming audition dates:
Auditions: Monday, April 9 & Tuesday, April 10 | 5-7 pm
Callbacks: Thursday, April 12 | 5-7 pm
Seussical (musical)
Auditions:
Monday, May 14 | 7-9 pm (ages 14 and up, including college students and adults)
Tuesday, May 15 | 5-7 pm (ages 10-13) and 7-9 pm (ages 14 and up, including college students and adults)
Callbacks: Thursday, May 17 & Monday, May 21 | 6:30-9:30 pm
2) Prepare with a pro! Join one of our professional teaching artists (sometimes even the show’s director!) for a pre-audition workshop the Saturday before auditions. Learn more about what to expect during auditions, as well as some helpful general acting knowledge.
Seussical Pre-Audition Workshop: Saturday, May 12th, 3-5 PM
Reminder: This Pre-audition Workshop is geared towards students ages 10-13, as this age group auditions separately from those 14+ including adults. Students ages 10-18 and adults are invited to audition for the cast of Seussical. Students ages 12-18 and adults may audition for backstage and front of house crew.
3) Follow the leader! Come learn about stagecraft by watching some of Encore’s older performers in their upcoming production of James and the Giant Peach with the Musical Theatre Intensive! Actors are always people watching and picking up on habits to potential incorporate in a character. You won’t want to miss this cast of wacky personalities when they perform April 6th-15th. Be sure to purchase your tickets today!
4) Get to class! Looking for a more in-depth exploration into acting? Sign up today for Encore’s Spring classes! With classes aimed toward students as young as 3 and for artists up through high school, there is a theatre adventure for everyone. Some examples include: Action Songs and Finger Plays (preschool), Creative Dance (K-1st), Rabbit Tales (2nd-3rd),
Anansi & Other Tales from Africa (4th-5th), and Advanced Acting (6th-8th). Click here to learn more about our offerings and sign up today!
We hope these tips have you “feeling lucky” as you celebrate a theatrical St. Patrick’s Day!
Photos by: Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Graphic design by Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
#TechTuesday w/ Puppet Master Martha-Grace Moore
Happy #TechTuesday, everyone! Today we have the pleasure of sharing our interview with actor, director, teaching artist, and prop manager extraordinaire Martha-Grace Moore. As multi-talented as she is, she’s been up to a lot since we last spoke to her last season. Read on to find out more!
Encore: Welcome back to the Front Row Blog! Since our last interview from the 2016/2017 season, which shows have you worked on and which staff roles have you stepped into with Encore?
Martha-Grace: Thanks for having me! It’s been a busy season for Encore, and I’ve been fortunate to have been along for the ride. I’ve gotten to continue my Teaching Artist work this season, and I just finished as Co-Director on The Lion King Jr. This fall, I was the writer, director, and one of the actors in Jungle of Bungaloo (a new work for the very young), I’m working as the Props Manager this season, and I’ve gotten to work on puppets for many of this season’s shows.
Encore: On which show are you currently working?
M-G: Right now, I’m busy working on the props and puppets for James and the Giant Peach. There are going to be tons of fun puppets in this one, and I’m very excited to see this kooky story brought to life!
Encore: What interested you about creating props and puppets?
M-G: While I was studying abroad in London during undergrad, I had the good fortune of being able to see War Horse at the Royal National Theatre, which absolutely blew my mind. The Handspring Puppet Company worked on that production to create life size horse puppets that are some of the most amazingly expressive puppets I have ever seen. That show has really stuck with me. I love that puppets can be this amazing tool for exploring character and expanding the storytelling experience.
Encore: Where/how did you learn your techniques?
M-G: I had actually never worked on puppet-making before Bungaloo, so my process has incorporated a great deal of trial and error, phoning a friend (which often means popping into the staff offices to get second opinions on ideas and designs), and researching basic puppet structures that I can work on and add to. This season, I have tried to re-use existing materials as much as possible, which has often been an excellent spring board to get the ideas flowing. Sometimes it’s easier to see where the puppet is headed if it starts as a material or object that already has shape and form.
Encore: What has been the most satisfying moment of the puppet-making process for you?
M-G: I love the moment when I realize that something is actually going to work. Most of the time, this happens when the puppet just looks like a weird skeleton of wires and rods, but when I get to that moment when the interior mechanism works, it’s the best feeling because I know that the puppet will have life onstage. It has also been satisfying for me to be able to re-use materials, and even puppets, from show to show. Drew the Spider from Bungaloo will be making a cameo appearance in James, and the giraffes from Lion King might make an appearance in Seussical this summer…
Encore: What’s been the most challenging or complex piece you’ve created?
M-G: The most challenging piece I’ve created this season was Pru the Bat in Bungaloo. It was the first puppet with a moving piece that I ever built, and it took a lot of tries to get her wings to articulate and flap. The most complex pieces I have worked on so far were the giraffes in The Lion King Jr. We had several people working on those puppets because they were so huge and needed many brains firing at full capacity to make successful designs. The baby giraffe with wiggling ears was so cute it made me want to cry.
Encore: Any advice for young creators who might be interested in puppetry?
M-G: Experiment at home with recycled materials, take classes and workshops in puppetry, and go see productions that incorporate puppets! It is such a wonderful theatre medium, and all you need to get started is the desire to learn more.
Many thanks to Martha-Grace for taking the time to share her process with us. Be sure to check out her excellent puppets in Musical Theatre Intensive’s upcoming production of James and the Giant Peach, running April 6th-15th. Click here to order your tickets today!
Photos by Aileen Pangan and A.K. Nell. Graphic design by Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
5 Fabulous Highlights from February
Happy #FrontRowFriday, Encore family! Spring will be here before we know it. Before we “March” forward, let’s take this chance to look back on some highlights from February here at Encore Stage & Studio!
1) 49 cast and crew members, 8 performances, and 3,089 patrons made The Lion King Jr. a hit! “Hakuna Matata,” meant no worries for the many audience members that joined us for this production of a Disney classic. The grandeur of Pride Rock gave our designers and crew opportunities to explore new methods of storytelling, ranging from a myriad of puppets and over 100 costume pieces! Our costume designer, Debra Leonard shared that there were “62 ‘characters’ (including grass), 119 items made, 28 items purchased and altered/dyed, and 21 items pulled from storage. It was a lot!” It certainly was a challenging production and we’re so glad to have such a dedicated and amazing design team!
Ready to take the stage yourself? Mark your calendars for Pinocchio auditions, April 9th and 10th!
2) Rally the troops! Encore was excited to welcome 82 Girl Scouts in 8 troops to join in our pre-show Girl Scout Workshops. Our fantastic Arts Apprentice, A.K., led Brownies through a series of awesome team-building activities to explore their creativity and grow closer as a troop, while Ms. Mara led the Daisies in engaging and fun theatre games. We are always thrilled to share the joy of theatre with new young artists. Interested in joining in on the fun? Check out our selection of Spring classes, starting Saturday, April 21st!
3) Valentine’s Day fun! Our staff was in the red and white spirit on the 14th, even throwing ourselves a mini-photoshoot. Check out more of our antics on our Instagram page, @encorearlington.
4) It’s summer time! Planning, that is… Our staff members were happy to represent Encore at three local summer camp fairs last month, sharing all of the wonderful theatre adventures that await you. From elementary to adulthood, musicals to Shakespeare, there is something for everyone this #EncoreSummer!
5) Party time! Speaking of save the dates, invitations for Encore’s 50th Anniversary Bash went out last month. On April 28th, we will be celebrating half a century of “Theatre by kids, for kids!” Join us for an evening of excellent food and music, featuring performances by Encore alums and current students.
Thanks for looking back on this fabulous February with us. With so many outstanding performances, camps, and classes on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what spring will bring!
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Video editing by Rosemarie O’Connor. Website contributor: Shannon McCarthy