We had over 300 patrons for both our opening and closing nights of Cul de Sac, so a great front of house staff is vital! From our first house manager Instagram takeover, to presenting the #SweetestSeason competition, we were glad to have a house manager as wonderful as Isabel Dines for this show! Check out her interview with us!

I’m Isabel Dines, I’m from Arlington, Virginia and I’m 14 years old in eight grader at Swanson Middle School. Outside of Encore I love to play soccer, bake and hang out with my friends.

Encore: Can you describe your first involvement with Encore? What motivated you to audition?
Isabel: In sixth grade my friend Jessica auditioned for a show at Encore called The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. When she made the show we were all so proud of her and couldn’t wait to go see her. After the show she told us how much fun we had and I knew I had to try. Later in the season she told me that she was going to audition for Twelve Dancing Princesses and I told her that I was going to as well. I was so nervous but when I went to auditions I had so much fun and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. In school Jessica and I frantically checked the list and in the middle of chorus class we (loudly) celebrated when we found out we had both made the show. And I had a good reason to celebrate because I had so much fun and made so many friends doing that show.

Encore: This year you’ve played many roles and positions for Encore on cast and crew. Can you list and describe your experiences in these roles?
Isabel: First over the summer I did my first camp with Encore with bunch of my friends some who had never done Encore. Not only was it my first camp but also my first musical with Encore and I had an amazing time. Then in the fall I was on cast for Hansel and Gretel. I got to be a gypsy which was such a fun and different role. The cast of Hansel and Gretel was so amazing and most of us regularly talk and keep up with each other. Then I was on crew for the first time in Treasure Island. It was so fun and interesting to see how much work goes on behind the scenes. Building the set was super fun and being on front of house crew taught me many new things. Now I’m so excited to be house manager for Cul de Sac.

Encore: Describe your responsibilities at House Manager what you’re looking forward to for this show?
Isabel: As house manager I’m in charge of parent volunteers coming to help with front of house crew. I show them the job they need to do and how or what to do. As well as being a greeter at the front door, organizing the rest of front of house crew and the overall set up before the show. Now I am helping with designing the playbill and social media/ marketing which I’m super excited to learn for this show.

Encore: What have you gained from your experience at Encore at that you can take away to apply to areas outside of the theatre?
Isabel: I have learned new acting techniques and ways to better myself as a performer and I think I have improved a lot since I started working with Encore. And while on crew I learned to use new tools and build confidence in other areas of theater. Not to mention that being on cast has built up my confidence and improved my public speaking and memorization skills.

Encore: Can you share a memorable moment you had at Encore?
Isabel:It’s so hard to choose one memorable moment in particular but I do remember very much the first time I auditioned and how nervous and excited I was. Then I went into auditions and I got to act and play theater games and suddenly I felt much less nervous and more just wanting to enjoy the experience. When I made the show the same feeling continued on and I’ve been having a great time ever since.

Encore: What did you enjoy most being House Manager?
Isabel: I loved going into the office before and seeing how much work goes into the show that you don’t even think about and getting to be a part of it. I also enjoyed being in charge of parent volunteers and getting to teach new people and see people eager to help.

Encore: What did you learn from your experience, and what’s your advice to other future House managers?
Isabel: I learned that there is so much more to putting on a play than you think and that everyone works so hard to make sure the show goes well. to future house managers I would say be ready to learn a lot and teach it to everyone else and have fun!

Encore: Is there anything else about your participation at Encore you’d like to share?
Isabel: I’m so grateful for Encore. They have given me the opportunity to do something I love while building confidence, learning new things and making new friends.

Thanks Isabel for sharing your Encore experience!