Meet Encore’s New Season Characters: Ariel, Aslan, Sherlock Holmes & Shrek!
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August 2, 2013
Encore was lucky enough to sit down with the EXTREMELY famous characters from Encore’s upcoming season: Ariel, Aslan, Sherlock Holmes, and Shrek. Check out what they are saying about Encore!
Encore: What are you looking forward to the most with Encore’s upcoming season?
Ariel: I just want to be where the people are. I am tired of my father’s rules, and I just want to be a part of the human world. I want to run, walk, dance, and explore. Sometimes this tail can weigh a girl down. Sherlock, you have no idea how lucky you have it.
Encore: Sherlock, do you have a hard time fitting in with all of these non-human headliners?
Sherlock: Human or not human, that does not bother me one bit. I am just trying to keep an eye on everything and everyone. We are all members of the world, you see, so of course, we all enjoy our pursuits. Especially what you Americans call “the pursuit of happiness.” But, naturally, as a detective, my finely tuned talent of observation is always working because you never know when crime might strike. A good inspector is always prepared.
Encore: Aslan, you are the ruler of all of Narnia. Is it difficult work to run an entire kingdom?
Aslan: (laughs) You make me seem otherworldly! Well, in a sense, you may be right. In my kingdom I just want to maintain peace and civility, to have all men and women live in harmony. Yes, it is true that occasionally, people or events attempt to disrupt that, but I strive to ensure that good always conquers evil.
Encore: Shrek, most of the other headliners this season are royalty. Do you feel you are at a disadvantage?
Shrek: You sound like Donkey! Now listen here, I am not at a disadvantage. I may be a big, green, ugly ogre, but no one has rescued Princess Fiona yet, so I still have a shot. So what if I live in a swamp and not a castle. A crown is nice, but it’s what’s inside a person (or ogre) that matters most. Don’t underestimate me. (winks)
Encore: Wow, it sounds like you ALL have some exciting stories to tell this season. Why do you think people should purchase a discounted ticket bundle for this season?
Ariel: I hope everyone will come to see all of my treasures of whosits and whatsits galore! You want thingamabobs? I think I’ve got 20! I can’t wait for you all to sing along with me and my amazing friends, Flounder and Sebastian! My father King Triton may disagree but, I’m very excited to see all of the fascinating humans walking on land in Sherlock’s story – don’t you think humans are just wonderful creatures?
Sherlock: It’s elementary economics, my friend. Fans of the theatre can enjoy more entertainment for fewer pounds–or I guess your currency is the US dollar? Nevertheless, it is one brilliant deal! This season has action-packed adventure, exciting musicals and mystery all in one! Speaking of mystery–it is very suspicious to me that you would NOT buy a season ticket bundle. Maybe you are hiding something? Hmmmm? I must call Watson at once!
King: I’ve already bought all thirteen ticket bundles for my daughters and me. These bundles are a great gift for the entire family to enjoy, and the girls can be home before their bedtime! For those who haven’t bought their season ticket bundles, I find it almost as puzzling as my daughters’ torn up shoes every night! What’s so intriguing about this great deal is that if you can’t make it to a performance, Encore’s boxoffice provides quick and easy exchanges/ Wish I had that for every royal ball I’ve missed–This has the royal treatment written all over!
Aslan: In addition, everyone in the kingdom of Narnia will be there, I am sure of that. I am delighted to introduce you all to our incredible, young warriors: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie. They would be so proud to see you enjoy our season ticket bundles! How they found themselves in Narnia, you’ll have to come and see! Be they from a village or a castle, who would not love a fine evening of revelry? I would urge you to do the same.
Shrek: Donkey and I need all the help and support we can get. It will be a long journey with many dangers to overcome. Perhaps I can convince Aslan to stick around and help me out!
Encore: Thank you all so much for taking the time to chat with us today. Best of luck in your challenges ahead this season with Encore!
Click here order your discount ticket bundle today!
Click here to learn more about our 2013/2014 season.
Want to audition for our productions? Click here to download your audition form today!
Intern Diaries Part 2- Kadie Dennison
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July 11, 2013
HEY EVERYBODY!
I’m Kadie Dennison and I’m Encore’s Marketing Intern for the Summer of 2013! I am so excited to be working in Virginia this summer and I can’t wait to tell you all about what I’m doing here. But first, let me introduce myself.
ABOUT ME
I’m a senior at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. A lot of you may be asking, “Where is that?” And to that I answer, in the middle of absolutely nowhere! I love going to school in the middle of cornfields and one-horse towns. But, living in Arlington has been a nice change of pace if I do say so myself.
I am a double major in Theatre and Communication Studies. I arrived at these majors after two whole years in college. I was switching my majors practically every week, but the one thing that was staying constant in my life was theatre. I decided to go with theatre (DUH!); it is my passion. I love being involved in all aspects of performing. I’ve been an actor, singer, dancer (I tried anyway), director, stage manager, and just about any other crew position you can think of. I’m a member of my school’s theatre honor society, Alpha Psi Omega, and have worked as a teacher at community theatre children’s camps in Iowa.
Before I moved to Arlington for the summer, I was in Chicago studying at the Second City. For an entire semester I had the amazing opportunity to study sketch comedy and improvisation at the training center where Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, and pretty much all of the other super-talented funny people out there studied! That was an awesome experience and I am so glad I got to live in the Windy City! So I was in Chicago for six months then moved here. And this is where our story begins….
WHY I’M HERE
As you can tell, I’ve had a lot of performance experience. This internship is perfect for me because I want to learn more about what it takes on the business side to run a non-profit theatre. My dream is to one day run a children’s theatre, much like Encore, to promote the arts in youth.
WHY ENCORE
I feel very strongly about exposing children to the arts. Encore is theatre for kids by kids. Not only are you giving kids a place to have fun and be creative, but you are teaching them about themselves and the world around them. Whether a child is in the audience or working on the production, they are becoming more culturally literate (something I feel is crucial to growing up). I wasn’t exposed to theatre until I was in seventh grade and looking back I wish I would have had a theatre like Encore to get me involved at a much earlier age. So, even though I just got involved here at Encore, the mission is one that I feel very connected with!
Aileen and I wore the same outfit to work one day!
WHAT I AM DOING
As working in a theatre usually is, I get to do a wide variety of tasks and projects. Here are some of the highlights:
-Contact local university sororities and invite them to Legally Blonde: The Musical to push group sales
-Contact local businesses and restaurants and invite them to advertise with us
-Street Marketing! Running all over Arlington hanging posters and handing out fliers for Legally Blonde: The Musical and Willy Wonka, Jr.
-Researching at the library for possible grants we could apply to.
-Buying a kiddie pool for Stage Door’s Willy Wonka Jr. (Fun trip to Toys R Us!)
-Marketing Archives—organization, organization, organization
-Social Media promotion. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
-Ushering Willy Wonka Jr.
-Website Editing
-Answering phone calls
-Helped take headshots of the Legally Blonde Cast
Taking headshots of the cast. Needed someone to reflect light. Sure I’ll do it!
I have the opportunity to organize Encore’s booth at the Arlington County Fair! I am also going to work the subscription table at Legally Blonde. So, come see Legally Blonde July 19-28 and visit me at the Arlington County Fair August 7-11! Plus, I’ll be around the office working on various things.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
Thanks for reading my blog! I’ve learned so much already and it’s only my third week here. I’m having so much fun and I hope to see you at the theatre!
Kristina and I at the park hanging up posters!
Intern out!
“OMIGOD You Guys!” Director Susan Keady Tells it All
- Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20 at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, July 25 at 8 p.m.
- Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, July 28 at 2 p.m.
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July 8, 2013
“OMIGOD You Guys!” Director Susan Keady Tells it All..about Legally Blonde The Musical. Check out our short clip of our directors Susan Keady and Amy Young sharing why Legally Blonde is a must-see this summer! Click here to read the full press release, “From Elle Woods Pink to Harvard Crimson.”
Behind the Scenes of Legally Blonde with Susan Keady and Amy Young from Encore Stage on Vimeo.
Susan A. Keady shares with us the excitement and positive messages portrayed in our upcoming production, along with her wonderful Encore journey!
The musical of Legally Blonde tells the story of Delta Nu Sorority Sister Elle Woods and her amazing journey as a major in Fashion Merchandising at U.C.L.A. to her admission as a freshman in Harvard Law School. Initially she is in pursuit of her college sweetheart, Warner Huntington III, who has dumped her because he plans to be a senator by age 30 and needs a more conservative and serious girlfriend. Warner does not believe Elle to be especially bright and, thus, not serious. Plus Warner has begun a relationship with a well-connected, elite, erudite East Coast Harvard girl. Elle tosses aside her future plans to design clothes, studies furiously for the LSAT, applies to and enters Harvard. Her adventure begins as we follow her from class to class, many hours of studying, and conversations at her favorite hair/manicure salon. Along the way, Elle meets some fascinating Bostonian characters, like her new BFF, her manicurist, Paulette.
The audience can look forward to an extraordinarily upbeat, fast moving musical performed by one of out best casts ever placed in Encore’s summer production, and executed with perfection by our backstage crew. The visual aspect of the show is attributed to our outstanding production team: Caroline Schreiber, Amy Young, Matthew Heap, Kelsey Meiklejohn, Rebecca Pfeil, Marji Jepperson, Kristin Jepperson, Aileen Pangan, Gary Hauptman and Sara Duke.
I have worked as a a director, designer, teacher, camp director for Encore since 1988, and during those 25 years, I have directed over 50 shows during the season of September to June with cast and crew all of whom are ages 9-18. In 1998, I was hired with the additional responsibility as the Artistic Director. For the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of working with countless college students and adults while directing ACT III nearly every summer. (ACT III refers to Encore’s summer productions.)
I can’t imagine anything that would be more fun during the summer than directing a show and working alongside such a brilliant group of people. What I like about working for Encore is a two-fold. First, it would difficult to find a better bunch of people with whom to work.
The production staff is compellingly creative and fun! I look forward to going to rehearsals each day/evening during the run of the show. Most of the staff has worked diligently for years to grow the program and their loyalty and enthusiasm for Encore is infectious. In addition, the growing office administrative staff has been an encouraging addition to our offices at 3700 Four Mile Run. The staff is helping us set up countless production projects using their high level of energy and attention to detail. We have some very smart interns. This is a special job; my passion to create live theatre aside–I love, love, love to go to work with my friends.
Next, the cast and crew. What can I say? I am extraordinarily blessed with this engaging script and score, and a cast and crew with whom I can confidently charge to learn difficult music and challenging choreography and bring the script to life. Many cast and crew return to Encore every summer to help work this show, although they have graduated college with a variety of impressive degrees, they work all day and still…attend a 4 hour evening rehearsal for Legally Blonde.
The schedule for this production is grueling, intense and tiring. Sometimes the whole staff, crew and cast has to take a breather and work on an improvisation for energy but my advice?
In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. (Albert Schweitzer) ….Especially our Board of Directors!
JUST REMEMBER: No matter where you begin your journey and what occurs along the way, it is where the journey ends and we know you will want your summer journey to end in our theatre laughing away all your worries.
See you in the theater!
Sincerely,
Susan A. Keady
Don’t miss this amazing show! Buy your tickets today online or call the box office at (703)548-1154.
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
July 19 – 28, 2013
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre
125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22204
Bubbly and bright Elle Woods never takes “no” for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious,” Elle upgrades her signature pink for Harvard crimson! This Hollywood blockbuster turned musical sensation will have you dancing in the aisles. Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Performance Dates and Showtimes
Ticket Prices
$15 adults, $10 children, students, and seniors (includes all box office fees)
Click here to purchase tickets online, or call our box office (703)548-1154. For additional questions e-mail boxoffice@encorestage.org
Photos courtesy of Gina Pelusi
Intern Diaries Part 1- Kristina Erwin
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July 2, 2013
Hi everyone!
My name is Kristina Erwin and I am Encore’s Development Intern for Summer 2013. I’m a Senior at James Madison University where I’m a Communication Studies major with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Theatre. After I graduate I plan on working in Development or Communications. I was also very interested in learning about nonprofits, so this has been a great opportunity to try many things at once! I’ve been involved in theatre all throughout middle school, high school and college, so it’s great to working behind the scenes in the office.
Kristina at the Season Subscription table.
Of course, as an intern, I’ve done the usual things about the office, such as copying and sending emails. But with the help of my wonderful co-workers, I’ve been able to dabble in a bunch of different specialties!
Here’s a list of just some of the things I’ve been able to do during my time here at Encore Stage & Studio:
– Load-in for Sleeping Beauty
– Sold 2013-2014 Season Subscriptions at Sleeping Beauty
– Helped Rebecca (the Stage Management intern) with Legally Blonde auditions
– Went to two Board Development workshops with Sara Duke (our executive director)
– Had to opportunity to learn about “html” and write two blogs posts and make two web pages
– Attended Marketing, Programming and Development Committee meetings
– Attended a day of camp at Stagedoor
– Organized next year’s Traveling Theatre Club shows
– Collaborated with Tutti Frutti in the community and planned the Do More 24 event
I absolutely loved planning Do More 24 because I was able to put a whole event together all by myself. It was awesome to be able to reach out to people not involved with Encore and tell them about what we do. It was a great success AND we started a wonderful relationship with a local Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt!
Kristina and Jon at the Do More 24 event
Being involved in Sleeping Beauty was such a great experience! Seeing all the little girls running around in their princess outfits before the show was absolutely adorable. The actors all did a great job and I look forward to seeing Legally Blonde at the end of the month! It was also awesome to see all the interest in next year’s shows. Encore has a great 2013-2014 season coming up and it will be a blast for everyone involved.
I want to thank Encore Stage & Studio for giving me such a wonderful opportunity this summer. I’ve learned so much and everyone I’ve met has been so nice and caring. I’ve had some great times in the past 7 weeks and it will be sad when my last day comes next week. I will definitely be back to visit and see what this great organization continues to give to the community!
Intern Out!
Congratulations to the Class of 2013!
- June 14, 2013
We’d like to congratulate the class of 2013! We’re very proud of our Encore seniors and their hard work both on and offstage! Good luck on your endeavors! Encore will always be cheering you on!
-Carla Astudillo (attending Northern Virginia Community College)
-Jace Casey (attending Stanford University)
-Sarah Chapin (attending Yale University)
-Anna Chelak (attending University of Virginia)
-Jimmy Keady (graduating University of Maryland College Park)
-Candace Garnes (graduating from the College of William & Mary)
-Elise Huppert (attending University of Virginia)
-Nora Huston (attending Christopher Newport University)
-Mikaela Kane (attending New York University)
-Jack Ladd (attending DePaul University)
-David Lopez (attending Virginia Commonwealth University)
-M.C. Murphy (attending Sewanee: The University of the South)
-Lowry Palmer (attending the College of William & Mary)
-Melina Smith (attending Fordham University)
-Connor Stapp (attending George Mason University)
-Nora Walls (attending University of Virginia)
-Claire Yenson (graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University)
Photos taken by Larry McClemons, Jackie Young and Aileen Pangan. Contributed by Walter Lohmann. Don’t see your name? E-mail aileen.pangan@encorestage.org to be included onto our list!)
Happy Opening Night Sleeping Beauty Cast & Crew!
- June 7, 2013
Director Meghan Smith: “Ah-go!” (meaning “may I have your attention.” in Swahili)
Cast: “Ah-may!” (“you may have my attention.”
Everyone: “Umoja” (meaning “unity”)
This is how Meghan Smith starts her rehearsals and reminds our cast the importance of “umoja”–unity. During the production process, learning to work as team is not only a great skill, but leaves a powerful impact in the performance. Staff, cast, and crew all play a vital team player, and we’re more than thankful for each individual’s hard work!
We’re very excited to present to you this evening Sleeping Beauty. Be sure to check out the trailer and buy your tickets online or call (703) 548-1154. See you at the show!
Ticket Prices: $12 adults, $10 children, students, and seniors (includes all box office fees)
Click here to purchase your tickets.
Photos taken by Larry McClemons
Sneak Peek into Do More 24 on June 6!
May 31, 2013
Do you like frozen yogurt? Want to enjoy some on a sunny afternoon? Well, now you can have some Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt and support Encore Stage & Studio at the same time!
On June 6, Encore will be joining with Tutti Frutti for a community-wide event called Do More 24. Do More 24 is a 24-hour online fundraising extravaganza! Do More 24 is an event occurring all over the DC/Metro area on June 6, 2013 in order to create awareness about your organization and to raise money. Many nonprofits are participating in this event in order to broaden the reach of our organization. This is Encore’s first time being a part of Do More 24, but we hope to be a part of this wonderful event in the future.
Encore will be at Tutti Frutti on June 6 from 2:30-5:30pm. There will be children, parents, Board members and employees of Encore present in order to spread the word of this great organization. We will have a table outside with our brochure, flyers for future productions and a computer in order to donate to Encore. There will also be members of the Show Choir there to sing and grab the attention of people passing by. The Tutti Frutti is located at 2439 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207.
If you can’t attend the actual event, that’s okay! The whole point of Do More 24 is actually online fundraising. Do More 24 wants to focus on the connections that social media and the internet help us harbor and allow us to so easily be a part of. You can visit our website page for detailed instructions on how to donate or go straight to the Do More 24 website to get started! In order to make this event the best yet, we would love if you all could share the link for the event on your Facebook or even via email to your family and friends. Donations can be made on the Do More 24 website anytime until 11:59pm on June 6.
Tutti Frutti is an international frozen yogurt brand. They have stores in over 20 countries, including the United States, Cambodia, France and Hong Kong. Tutti Frutti has over 50 flavors of frozen yogurt and continue to develop more to ensure that Tutti Frutti really is a unique brand of frozen yogurt. If you have a gluten or dairy allergy, don’t fear! Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt is gluten and dairy free! If you want to learn more about Tutti Frutti you can go to their website or visit the N Harrison St Tutti Frutti at their Facebook page.
We hope to work with Tutti Frutti again in the future and that Do More 24 is a big success! Thank you for helping make Encore Stage & Studio as great as it can be.
Thank You Marian DiJulio!
May 24, 2013
Last Thursday, May 16, 2013, our families and friends celebrated Marian DiJulio’s 25 years of excellent service and guidance as Encore Stage & Studio’s Educational Director. With good food, good company and a lot of laughter, we enjoyed sharing our stories and fun memories with Marian, and reflecting on the great strides she has done for the individuals of Encore, and the organization itself.
We were honored to present Marian with the original poster of her very first production she directed for Encore in 1988, “The Great Cross Country Race.” For the past 25 years, Marian has led the educational programs for our organization with great passion and enthusiasm.
Thank you Marian for teaching our students to soar.
Photos taken by Larry McClemons
All beauty and no sleep, Meet Sleeping Beauty Director Meghan Smith
- May 10, 2013
Joking about the sleep–we can’t tell you how excited we are to present Sleeping Beauty this June! Meet the fun and fabulous Meghan Smith, Director of the show, as she describes this beautiful fairytale story in her own words, shares with us the casting process, and her Encore experience.
Click here to view the full press release “An Unforgettable Birthday Gift.”
Meghan: The story of Sleeping Beauty tells us about Briar-Rose, the daughter of King Rudolph and Queen Eleanor, who has been cursed by the Bad Witch, Evilina. At a party to honor Briar-Rose’s birth, Evilina casts a terrible curse that Briar-Rose would prick her finger on a spinning wheel spindle on her sixteenth birthday and die. The Six Good Witches of the Kingdom of NeverNod spend sixteen years trying to undo or fix the curse and come up with a way to save Briar-Rose – if she pricks her finger, she won’t die but will fall into a deep sleep until she is saved by True Love’s Kiss! Enter Prince Alexander, to whom the Princess is betrothed. The story has action, comedy, drama, and a villain!
Encore: How was the casting process?
Meghan: The casting process was SO HARD! From the first auditions until the final cast was set, I have been consistently impressed with the talented kids and teens who came out for the show. We have twenty five actors in this production. Casting is a challenge because you’re really trying to create a balanced show: you want to play to a given actor’s strength, while still providing challenges to each performer, and figure out what pairings and groupings work best. Physical characteristics play into this – how tall or short an actor is, what his or her voice is like, etc – but it’s also about intangibles like “Presence” (you can be very small and still manage to be huge on stage!), and recognizing team players.
Encore: What can our audience look forward to in this production?
Meghan: The audience coming to Sleeping Beauty will be delighted by a classic fairy tale filled with their favorite Princess and Prince, some rascally animals, an evil witch, action, and lots of laughs! I like to find the humor in everything – the world is so much more engaging if you can laugh at it! So we have been finding ways for these characters to be fun and funny and silly, while still telling a classic and much-beloved fairy tale.
Encore: What other Encore productions have you been involved with?
Meghan: I began as a Technical Director for Encore when I was still in college (at GWU) in the fall of 2003. I don’t remember all of the productions I was involved with behind the scenes but there were LOTS! I’ve also been involved with Act III as a stage manager for Oklahoma, and then as a performer in High School Musical (Sharpay) in 2006 and Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth) in 2009. I have worked as a teacher for Encore classes in after school programs as well as summer camps, and I directed Cinderella. I think this is such a great organization, and I’m always happy when I can find time to be involved.
What do you enjoy most about working with Encore?
Meghan: I love the kids of Encore! Really, getting to know so many bright, talented, and energetic kids and teenagers is such a joy for me. I grew up in a children’s theatre in Rhode Island and the values I learned there have carried through my life. I love that I can be involved in that experience for others. And, really, I just love getting to do some great theatre!
Performance Dates and Showtimes:
Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 8 at 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m.
Friday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 15 at 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m.
Ticket Prices: $12 adults, $10 children, students, and seniors (includes all box office fees)
Candace Garnes, Summer 2012 Intern Extraordinare!
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May 3, 2013
Last summer, we had the opportunity to hire a Community Outreach intern sponsored by ExxonMobil. Little did we know that we would have her new job title as Intern Extraordinare! Meet Candace Garnes, a current senior at The College of William and Mary with a major in Theatre and a minor in Marketing. From painting in the shop, to assisting as Camp Aide at It’s Elementary, reorganizing the main office to greeting patrons at box office, Candace went above and beyond as an intern for Encore’s busy summer of 2012!
Candace is a member of a number of organizations on campus, however she is most proud of her membership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., College Partnership for Kids Tutoring Program and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. This year, she just finished a production of The Pillowman and is currently completing the set construction of Sitayana, a play written by a faculty member based on the Ramayana.
Encore: How did you hear about Encore’s internship and what made you interested to apply?
I met Sara Duke at a William and Mary networking event in D.C. where current students were given the opportunity to meet, chat with, and learn from alumni of the theatre department. It was at this function that she handed me a flier about the internship and it sounded like a lot of fun. I added it to the rest of the notes and things I had been taking and told myself that I would look over later. I remember it being the day the application was due that I was going through some files on my desk and trying to reorganize things that I came across the flier. I remembered how much I enjoyed Sara’s company and personality. I sat down right then and there and submitted my application. So really it was that one, very brief, but lasting encounter with Sara that convinced me to apply.
Encore: What did you enjoy most about your summer with Encore? Do you have a favorite memory? 
This may sound cheesy but I really enjoyed meeting the people I met. I really think that it is the people that make and experience what it is and I met some amazing individuals this past summer. A favorite memory I have is of Aileen and I driving to find the storage unit so that we could pick up props for the County Fair. I remember driving with the windows down and it just being the most beautiful day, the radio playing, and us getting lost. And then when we finally made it to the storage unit I remember that place being very creepy. It was a fun time. My favorite thing that I did during the internship was organizing and cataloging all the scripts and cleaning up the upstairs office. That was such a fulfilling moment looking at that place and seeing how beautiful it all looked. Organization is the key to happiness.
Encore: What skills do you think helped you throughout your internship?
Being such a neat freak and lover of organizing really helped me with this internship. Also being able to think creatively was very important. There were many instances where things had to be presented or put together that having a creative mind was very useful. I’m specifically thinking about the study guides and the County Fair. Also being able to engage will people from different walks of life and different ages was very integral in my success at Encore. With my blog, presence at the box office and rehearsals, and my booth at the county fair I was always thinking about how I could reach and engage with people whether it be with my words or just a smile. But I suppose a Community Outreach intern should know how to reach out to the community.
Encore: What skill sets and experiences did you take away from your summer with Encore?
Encore was my first time working on a set. I had not yet taken the stagecraft course required of theatre majors at William and Mary so it was all very new to me. I learned some great skills on set construction and painting. I also gained a lot of knowledge on software that I had not really worked extensively with. But perhaps the biggest thing I learned is how a non-profit actually works and all of the things that go on in the background and everything that it takes to run a successful theatre organization.
Encore: What are your plans after college?
I am a senior and will graduate in just a few short days with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Theatre. I currently have a summer job awaiting me in Wellesley, Massachusetts where I will be the Office Manager for the Summer Exploration program which a summer camp for kids from all across the globe ages 9-17. At Explo students engage in a two or three week “camp” where they take classes in which ever area they choose and are encouraged to find their passions in life. After that I am looking for a job/internship/apprenticeship at a theatre company where I hope to learn what it is like to act at a theatre outside of college and I hope to take those lessons and apply them to theatre in London, England where I hope to move to within the next year or two before attending grad school.
Thanks again Candace for all your hard work and efforts last Summer, and setting the bar high for our future interns to come! Congratulations on graduating college and good luck on your endeavors!