Dramaturgy 101: Going Live w/ Radio Theatre
Welcome back to Dramaturgy 101! As Encore rolls out our line-up of virtual Spring classes and camps, we’re excited to continue to bring creativity and storytelling into the lives of our students, families, friends, and community. This month, we’re excited to debut our Radio Drama classes with our Artistic Director Susan Keady. Susan will be leading an ensemble of performers in a virtual class focusing on the production and performance of radio plays.
Radio drama first started gaining popularity in the 1920s. As more people could afford radios in their living rooms, the demand for programming beyond news announcements grew. In 1922, Station WGY in Schenectady, New York, began producing weekly staged readings of plays. Soon, major radio stations all over the country began producing readings of plays with live music, sound effects, and troupes of actors. Many people who would later be pioneers of film and television, like both Ethel and Lionel Barrymore, Lucille Ball, and Rod Serling, got their start writing, performing, and producing radio plays.
By the early thirties, artists were writing plays specifically for the radio, taking into consideration specific qualities of radio that made it different from live theatre. One such radio drama, the 1924 French play Marémoto (“Seaquake”) by Gabriel Germinet and Pierre Cusy staged a soundscape of a realistic sinking ship before revealing that the characters were all actors in a theatre rehearsing a play. The play ran popularly in Germany and England but was banned in France until 1937 because the government feared ships would mistake the dramatic SOS messages in the opening sequence for actual distress signals. By using sound to set the realistic scene of a sinking ship, Gabriel and Cusy bring the audience into the emotion of that moment and make it real for them. Then, the actors break the audience’s illusion of this heightened moment of danger by bringing them suddenly into a very different space: a rehearsal. Not only was the twist exciting for audiences, who were used to receiving their drama exclusively on stages, but it tells us about the close connection between radio and theatre. Both are largely performed live and radio, unlike theatre at the time, had a unique ability to reach everyone regardless of where they lived or whether they could afford sometimes-expensive live theatre tickets. Radio also allowed artists to present music, stories, poetry, drama, and other work directly to thousands of families and individuals around the country all at once. It was simultaneously able to be mass-marketed and still feel personally moving.
In the late 2000s, the rise of online music streaming services like iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify created a familiar opportunity for writers, comedians, playwrights, and independent producers: the advent of podcasts. These platforms provided a public place where artists could produce their work to a large audience and make an income off of that audience’s engagement with their work. An individual with an idea and a microphone had the same opportunity as established radio stations to share their work with a potential audience consisting of anyone who had an internet connection. As podcasts have entered the mainstream, they’ve grown more diverse than ever and many rely on playwrights and actors who also work in television, films, and theatre to bring stories to life for their audiences. Some dramatic podcasts today revive old radio dramas or recreate them to celebrate the roots of the form.
With Susan Keady, winner of a 1996 Peabody Award for directing the radio show Kinetic City Super Crew, students will have the opportunity to explore a new (old) form of dramatic performance. Together, we’ll explore historical and modern radio drama scripts and build the foundations of vocal performance, script work, storytelling, and audience engagement. We’re so excited to share this opportunity to develop skills in producing and performing in radio.
In addition to Susan’s courses in radio drama, Encore is offering a robust line-up of programming for our Spring session. Classes for Grades 6-8 and 9-12 begin as early as next Thursday, April 16. Classes for Grades K-5 pick up starting in May, so now is the time to get signed up and invite all of your friends to join you before enrollment is full!
Blog contribution by 2019/2020 Production Apprentice Kyla McLaughlin.
Edited by Shannon McCarthy.
Encore Goes Live! Spring Online Classes
Hello Encore friends! So, it’s been a minute since I’ve had the chance to check in with you here on The Front Row. Our staff has been hard at work, crafting new and enriching virtual programming for all of our student participants. Today I’m excited to share just a few of the exciting topics you have to explore with Encore this spring.
Brush Up Your Shakespeare
If the Bard’s wacky words have always been a bit intimidating, this is your chance to delve deeper. Working with teaching artists like Patrick McGee and Susan Keady, you’ll break down the text so that you will not only understand what is being said but be able to perform the words with ease! With classes ranging from monologues to full-length scripts, there’s a sampling of Shakespeare for every actor.
Do a Little Dance
If social distancing has you going crazy inside the house, an Encore movement class sounds like the perfect fit! Get your body moving, learn new steps, sing along to your favorite tunes, and work off some of that pent up energy.
Check out: Creative Dance (GR K-1), Broadway Bound (GR 4-5), and Saturday Showstoppers (GR 6-8).
Bring the House Down
Nowadays, we could all use a good laugh. Bring joy and tears of laughter to your family (and friends over Skype) with the skills you’ll gain in Encore’s spring comedy classes. You’ll learn about different styles of humorous scenes, comedic timing, and how to play off of an audience’s reactions. You’ll have everyone laughing in no time!
Check out: Laugh Out Loud (GR 2-3), Off the Cuff (GR 4-5), and A Comedy Tonight! (GR 6-8 & GR 9-12).
Get Swept Away
Do you love a great story that captures your mind and takes you on a journey to another place and time? You’re in luck! This spring Encore is proud to offer several storytelling-focused classes that will let your imagination soar (or swim, or fly, or…whatever you desire!).
Join Us LIVE!
Encore is excited to bring live interactions to all of our friends and followers. Join Ms. A every Tuesday morning at 10:30 AM for a free virtual class geared toward students ages 6 – 5 years and their caregivers. Work out the wiggles and practice new skills (such as counting, naming colors, and more) through music, movement, and storytelling. Be sure to share it with all your friends!
Graphic by Aimee Pangan
Please note that the above classes are just a brief selection of what Encore has to offer this spring. Full class descriptions and schedules are available on our Class pages. Click here to view a calendar for all of Encore’s online classes.
The best part? Virtual classes can be taken from anywhere! This is your chance to connect with far-away cousins, buddies from other school districts, and your friends who have moved away and create something new and interesting together in the land of virtual theatre!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Video edit by Aileen Pangan Christian.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Celebrate World Theatre Day with Encore!
Happy World Theatre Day, everyone! Here at Encore, we’re riding this wave of joy and appreciation for this beautiful art form all the way into another glorious weekend. Before we go, I want to leave you with three easy (and fun!) ways to celebrate World Theatre Day and “Theatre by kids, for kids” at the same time. #MultiTasking!
It’s official! Spring Break Camp is going virtual. Through a combination of live classroom interactions via the Zoom platform and prerecorded instructional videos (for which you’ll have life-long access), you/your students will experience an engaging day of theatre and creativity from the comfort and safety of your own home. There’s lots of room in the Zoom chat, so come join us April 6-10 and 13-17!
2) Work Out the Wiggles w/ Ms. A
This week we hosted our first virtual Encore event with a Parent & Me class hosted by “Ms. A,” A.K. Nell. Through storytelling, movement, and music your child will sharpen critical social and physical skills in a fun and imaginative environment. Geared towards our youngest learners, ages 6 months – 5 years, this charming and engaging class makes for a fun mid-morning break for the whole family!
Free virtual classes will be hosted by Ms. A live on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM on Encore’s Facebook page and Instagram profile.
3) Create an #IndoorEncore Adventure
Our wonderful teaching staff have devised a series of awesome activities and challenges for all of our different student age groups, from early childhood up through age 18. We can’t wait to see your moves, monologues, makings, and more when you tag us on social media with #IndoorEncore and @EncoreArlington!
BONUS! Share on social media what you love about theatre and be sure to tag us so we can join in the fun! #TheatreByKids4Kids @EncoreArlington
Photos by Cindy Kane Photography. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian and Aimee Pangan.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Make it an #IndoorEncore Adventure!
All the world’s a stage! Many of us are now working and schooling from home. Today we’ve got 15 ways to stay creative at home, courtesy of our awesome Education Team:
Photo by Aileen Pangan Christian
For Ages 6 Months – 2 Years
1. Stretch in the Morning: Reach up high, touch your toes, turn around, step side-to-side, march with high knees, or do some easy yoga moves (ex: cat, downward dog, candlestick).
2. Count Together: Practice counting to 10 using your fingers (like we do in the Speckled Frog song we use in Parent & Me class).
3. Practice the Alphabet Together: Practice singing the alphabet and get your child familiar with the melody and the sounds of the letters.
Challenge: Follow Encore on Facebook and Instagram to participate in Ms. A’s (free!) live Parent & Me class for ages 6 months-5 years at 10:30 AM on Tuesday mornings. Click here to watch today’s class!
Photo by Aileen Pangan Christian
For Ages 3-5
1. Introductions! Have your young person try entering the room, introducing themselves, and saying one thing they like to do. Have them finish their introduction by taking a bow as their audience applauds!
2. Let’s Go to the Zoo: Have your young person use their body, voice, and imagination to transform into different zoo animals! Your family can also visit the farm, beach, or wherever else fun animals can be found!
3. Stuffed Animal Storytime: Read a short story, then have your young person color a background for it. For example, they could draw the castle from Cinderella, or a bus for e Pigeon Drive the Bus. They can then act out the story in front of their background using stuffed animals!
Challenge: Post a video of your young person introducing themselves or a photo of their stuffed animal story, tag @EncoreArlington, and use the tag #IndoorEncore.
Photo by Cindy Kane Photography
For Grades K-1
1. Read a story and have your young person pick their favorite character. Have them draw a design of a costume for that character using things they can make/find at home!
2. Create a fun indoor obstacle course! Encourage your young person to think of creative uses for everyday objects. For example, use blankets to turn your kitchen table into a tunnel!
3. The Masked Actor: Use materials found at home to make a mask. It can be an animal, superhero, favorite character, or something else! For an added challenge, encourage your young person to pretend to be what their mask is!
Challenge: Post a picture of your young person wearing their costume or mask, tag @EncoreArlington, and use the tag #IndoorEncore.
Photo by Cindy Kane Photography
For Grades 2-5
1. Draw a cartoon strip of your favorite story or one you’ve made up yourself! Use this storyboard structure to help you design. For an additional challenge, you can write the story underneath your drawings.
2. Make them Laugh! Get your best acts together, whether they be your own jokes or you need help from a friend. Do your best comedy for a group of your favorite audience members.
3. Try these tongue twisters on your own or with a friend! See how many times you can say them correctly going quickly, going slow, or spinning in a circle!
One-One was a racehorse, Two-Two was one too. When One-One won one race Two-Two won one too.
Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said, “The butter’s bitter.
If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter,
But a bit of better butter will make my batter better.”
So she bought some better butter, better than the bitter butter,
And she put it in her batter and her batter was not bitter,
So ’twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter.
Challenge: Now, create your own tongue twister! With a parent’s help and permission, write it out or post a video of you reciting your tongue twister on social media with the hashtag #IndoorEncore. Be sure to tag us (@EncoreArlington)!
Photo by Clarence Chan
For Grades 6-12
1. Find a camera or phone and take your own headshot. If you are feeling more creative, look at the headshot you took, and draw it out on a canvas or paper. Next, you can color in a makeup design on your headshot for a character in a fun Broadway show, like Seussical, Cats, or Shrek.
2. Getting ready for that next audition. Design your own acting resume with the shows, roles, and companies you have worked for. Need ideas on how to format your resume? Check out these templates.
3. Casting Call: Pick your favorite Broadway musical or play that you want to star in. Next, cast your family, friends, and celebrities in all the other roles in order to make this show shine!
Challenge: 60-second Star Power. Own the space and unleash your star power. You have 60 seconds to shine with a song, monologue, scene, dance, joke, speech, etc. Lights, Camera, Action! Post the video and tag us @EncoreArlington, using the hashtag #IndoorEncore.
Photo by Shannon McCarthy
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Shannon McCarthy, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Blog contributions by Encore’s Education team and Shannon McCarthy.
Many of you have been following the news about the new coronavirus. We are following the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as local and state public health authorities, to safeguard our participants’ health and well-being. For more information about Encore’s response to COVID-19, please visit our website.
#IndoorEncore: Fun Ideas for Theatre at Home
Happy #FrontRowFriday, Encore fans! Yes, it’s finally Friday. Does anyone else feel like this last week of working and schooling from home has lasted longer than usual? If you’re already going out of your head with boredom, you’re in the right place. We’ve got seven ideas to keep you in top performance condition, all while having a blast. Let’s go!
Photo by Kyla McLaughlin
Take a stretch break from online homework to turn your bedroom into your very own Broadway stage. Sing along to your favorite musical theatre tunes and dream of seeing your name in lights. Ready to take Center Stage? There are still spaces available in Encore’s production-based summer camps: Stage Door (ages 11-15) and Center Stage (ages 14-18)!
2) Get Crafty
Did you know that Encore has a Pinterest account with recipes, crafts, and activities related to specific shows in our season? Well, now you do! Come check it out and let your creative mind wander.
Are performance arts more your thing? Try creating an Encore theme song, rap, or dance. We’re not on Tik Tok, so we’ll leave the epic dance moves to our participants; tag it #EncoreTikTok and our awesome apprentices will take a look for us. 🙂 We would love to see all of your wonderful creations; tag us @EncoreArlington!
Photo by Cindy Kane Photography.
3) Bust a Move
Release some of that pent-up energy in a way that’s creative, fun, and helpful! Invite your family members to a dance party. You can put on a playlist of your favorite songs or even take it to the next level. Check out some choreography videos on YouTube, like these from Disney on Broadway, and do your best to learn the routines. This will keep your body moving and help you pick up skills that will help you in future auditions!
Encore students at the Celebration of the Arts #ARLSaveOurStage (2019)
Photo by Aileen Pangan Christian
4) Connect with a Board Member
Wondering what to do with your free time? Consider reaching out to the Arlington County Board (please get family help and permission if you’re under 18!). Let them know how much you appreciate their support of the arts in Arlington and how the arts have positively impacted your life. It’s important that Board Members continue to hear from their constituents. You can find a listing of contact information on our #ARLSaveOurStage page; thank you again to all those who came together last spring to celebrate and defend the arts in our county.
The cast of The Enchanted Bookshop performs at the 2019 Benefit Breakfast
Photo by Aileen Pangan Christian
Looking for another way to support Encore’s mission during this period of social distancing? RSVP to our annual Benefit Breakfast, currently scheduled and on-track for April 29, 2020. Spread the word, invite your friends and colleagues, and consider making a gift to safeguard Encore’s important goals in this uncertain time. We thank you in advance for all of your assistance and support!
5) Catch Up on The Front Row
Take a break from streaming to catch up on the awesome interviews, advice, and information that The Front Row blog has to offer. Hear from our students and alumni, learn from our staff, and more. You’re already here; what’s another post or 10… 😉
Photo by Clarence Chan
6) Run the Rehearsal
Auditions for The Frog Prince of Spamalot got moved to April, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to participate in a production. Now is your chance to assume the role of casting director and choose your cast. Get together with some friends on Zoom or Google Hangouts and put on an informal reading of a script! Unsure how to begin? Try searching for public domain scripts. We’ll give you a great place to start: MIT’s unabridged collection of Shakespeare’s complete works. Start with a scene and watch what happens!
7) Show Us Your Spirit
In case you missed our last post, we’re currently celebrating Encore with a week of spirit days! So far, we’ve seen woodland creatures, villains, and more! Tag us @EncoreArlington and #EncoreSpringSpirit to join in the fun.
We’re excited to announce that there will be another week of themes…decided by YOU! Vote in our poll or send us a message with your theme day suggestion and it might make it into the final round.
Photo by Aileen Pangan Christian
Looking for more tips and activities? Our Education team sent some awesome age-specific suggestions to our mailing list. Want the content? Fear not! Subscribe to our list, then send us an email at info@encorestage.org; we’d be happy to send a copy your way!
We’re grateful to all of our Encore family for all of the love, support, and laughter during this uncertain time. Remember: “We’re all in this together!”
Jimmy Mavrikes (“Troy”), Ellen Chapin (“Gabriella”), and cast. High School Musical, 2007.
Photo by Larry McClemons.
Photos by Kyla McLaughlin, Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, Clarence Chan, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Many of you have been following the news about the new coronavirus. We are following the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as local and state public health authorities, to safeguard our participants’ health and well-being. For more information about Encore’s response to COVID-19, please visit our website.
Don’t Miss #EncoreSpringSpirit Days!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Encore fans! Working or schooling from home? Join us virtually for #EncoreSpringSpirit days and challenge your creativity! Share your spirit and memories with us through Instagram and Facebook. Our staff is already joining in on the fun this #TechTuesday. Feeling lucky? Tag us @EncoreArlington and we might share your post!
Tech Tuesday
Rock an all-black attire for crew and share a favorite crew task or memory.
(Mark your calendars for April 14 & 15. Come interview for The Frog Prince of Spamalot at these rescheduled auditions!)
Woodland Creature Wednesday
Create an outfit inspired by a woodland creature and share with us your most memorable costume or make-up design you wore or seen in a production.
(Feeling crafty yourself? Check out Encore’s Pinterest for a wealth of fun crafts, activities, and recipes!)
Villain Thursday
Dress up as your favorite villain from an Encore show or what villain you’d like to one day play.
(Feeling inspired? Join us this summer for camps such as Royal Adventures, Villains and Their Descendants, and more!)
Fairytale Friday
Wear an outfit inspired by your most cherished fairytale and share what this character or story means to you.
(Become a meaningful part of Encore’s story by donating your time, skills, or resources to support “Theatre by kids, for kids!”)
Pajama Saturday
Whether you are at the theatre for a two-show Saturday or hanging out a home, who doesn’t love Pajama Saturday! Share why Encore feels like home to you.
(Looking for some cozy Encore merch to get you through those two-show days? Check out the Encore spirit store! We have Encore pullover sweaters, pajama pants, fleeces, and more! Orders will be collected on March 27th and distributed approximately 10 days later. )
Encore Show Shirt Monday
Represent your favorite show with your Encore shirt and share a moment that was special to you from the show.
(Encore participants, families, and alumni: We want to hear your stories! Interested in being featured on the blog? Email us at info@encorestage.org!)
Excited for the #EncoreSpringSpirit challenge? Game on! Connect with us and be sure to mention @EncoreArlington.
Many of you have been following the news about the new coronavirus. We are following the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as local and state public health authorities, to safeguard our participants’ health and well-being. For more information about Encore’s response to COVID-19, please visit our website.
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Additional photos contributed by the O’Dell-Payne family and Encore staff members.
Encore jerseys designed and created by 2018/2019 Arts Apprentice Alana Gibson.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
The Easiest Way to Have a Great Encore Audition
Greetings, readers! This #TechTuesday marks less than a week until Encore’s next round of auditions. The Frog Prince of Spamalot auditions next Monday and Tuesday. This “ribbeting” tale is sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter; don’t you want to be a part of it?
What was that? A bit of stage fright has you on the fence, hmm? Read on for some helpful tips that will have you hopping into the audition circle in no time.
Whether it’s your first audition or your 15th, there are several ways to prepare for the big day. Encore is happy to offer a Pre-Audition Workshop leading up to each of our auditions. You’ll have the chance to work with a member of Encore’s production staff member and work through exercises that will prepare you for the audition room. As of press time, there are only 10 spaces remaining in this Saturday’s workshop for The Frog Prince of Spamalot, so register today!
If you aren’t able to make it to the workshop, you can still practice helpful audition room skills at home. Work in front of a mirror or with a family member to rehearse standing up straight, smiling, introducing yourself clearly, and projecting a confident and positive attitude. You can also visit our Auditions page to download and fill out your audition forms ahead of time!
2) Be on Time
One of the biggest rules of theatre is to be on time: to rehearsals, to show call times, and when it’s your queue to go onstage! Auditions are no exception to this rule. While auditions run from 5 to 7 PM, we recommend arriving no later than 6:30 PM to ensure that you have enough time to complete your audition forms, get your photo taken, and join an audition group without stress. You may have to wait for a bit before you go into the audition room, but, once inside, you should only take around 10-15 minutes.
3) Speak Up
Our creative team needs to hear you in the audition room so they can be confident in the fact that audience members will be able to hear you from the stage! You don’t want to yell or shout, but rather, “project,” as we say in the theatre. It helps to take a deep breath, slow down, and focus on speaking clearly with good diction.
4) Play for the Team
Did you know that when you enter an audition room, you are not alone in your audition? Sure, there are the directors and the stage manager. Maybe a producer. That’s it, right?
Not quite! When you work in an audition room, you are all on the same team! Work together to present a cooperative group to your directors by listening and staying open to feedback. It can be really exciting to work on a scene or a game together but try to let everyone have a turn to speak and share their thoughts. This will show the director that you can be a good scene partner and remain focused during the longer rehearsals you will face if you make it into the show.
5) Be Yourself
Your audition is your time to shine! When it’s your moment to share a fact about yourself or take a turn in a game, let your personality do the work for you. This is the creative team’s chance to get to know you. You only have 10 or 15 minutes in the room, remember? So don’t be shy! Even if you’re feeling a little intimidated, “fake it ’til you make it.” Directors like to get a feel for how you’ll be like to work with and who knows, maybe your personality may inspire how they cast a character in the show.
6) Plug In
Phew! You made it through your audition! Now what? This can be a bit difficult: you wait… Be sure to stay connected in case our team needs to reach you for any reason. Email in any last-minute conflicts that you may have forgotten on your audition form. Keep an eye on email or any missed calls, just in case. Lastly: check the callback list to see if you’re on it! Remember, it’s possible to be cast in a show, even if you’re not called back. Sometimes the director has already seen everything they need to know how they’d like to work with you, now or in the future.
Armed with these tips, you’re set to have an awesome audition experience. We’re so excited to see you at auditions for The Frog Prince of Spamalot next Monday and Tuesday, March 16 & 17, 2020, at 5-7 PM, at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. Break a leg!
Photos by Cindy Kane Photography, Clarence Chan, and Aileen Pangan Christian.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
From Backstage to the Booth: Musketeer Reflections w/ Kerstin F.
We’ve got another Musketeers throwback interview for you this #FrontRowFriday, this time with stage manager Kerstin F. Learn more about what a stage manager does throughout the rehearsal and show process, her thoughts on this new production, and more!
What was your position on the last production of The Three Musketeers?
Kerstin: It was my first Encore show on crew at age 12.
Encore: What’s your position on this production?
Kerstin: I’m proud to serve as the Stage Manager on this production of The Three Musketeers.
Encore: What do you remember from the first production?
Kerstin: My first time building in the scene shop! I learned to use power tools, paint sets, and apply lots of glitter! I just remember there being glitters everywhere.
Encore: How is stage managing different from other positions you’ve had on Encore shows?
Kerstin: Good question! I take notes throughout the rehearsal process to keep all of the production staff fully updated on decisions and the support needed [lights, props, etc.] to get the show ready. I make sure that everyone is present and ready for their cues. During the run of the show, I call all of the cues that bring the show together – lights, sound, flies, and set changes.
Encore: What does a typical rehearsal look like for you?
Kerstin: I show up early and set up the room. As I already said I take lots of notes, including blocking notes which are the record of where every actor is placed in the scene and what they should be doing. I always follow the rehearsal closely and have the script handy, ready to prompt an actor that needs my help with lines or stage direction. I also play warmup games and read for absent actors. And, at the end, I return the room to order and ensure that every actor has been picked up safely.
Director Jim Clancy
Encore: How is it working with a director as a stage manager?
Kerstin: I love working with Jim Clancy! I appreciate how intentional he is about the history and character development in this show. Being up close with his creative process has been a real treat.
Encore: What stands out about this rehearsal/production process compared to the first?
Kerstin: It was my first show so really didn’t understand much about what happened for the creative process for the first go ‘round. It’s been really fun doing it again and understanding so much more!
Encore: Has your perspective on The Three Musketeers changed at all? How?
Kerstin: The script is even funnier now that I can see cast re-interpret the same story and add their own talent to every part.
Major thanks to Kerstin for taking time out of a busy school/production week to share her reflections with readers of The Front Row. Come witness the magic that this stage manager facilitates during this production, now playing its final weekend!
Remaining Performance Dates and Showtimes:
Friday, March 6, 2020 at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11am and 3pm
Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 3pm
Photos by Caitlyn Barron and Cindy Kane Photography.
Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian and Aimee Pangan.
Blog contribution by 2019/2020 Production Apprentice Kyla McLaughlin.
Edited by Shannon McCarthy.
Musketeers Guest Reviewer: “Funny and Energetic!”
Hello! This is my second review for Encore Stage & Studio and I was very happy to be asked back. Why, do you ask? Because I really enjoy their productions! Even though I haven’t reviewed that many, I have seen a lot of their shows and this latest production did not disappoint! Encore is a children’s theatre – kids performing for kids which is an amazing concept. What kid couldn’t imagine himself as a character in the play after seeing his peers onstage?
Anyway, this past weekend, seasoned and new performers alike debuted their version of The Three Musketeers, [adapted by Matthew Heap and Susan Keady,] originally written by Alexandre Dumas. The young and extremely talented cast gave their all in a play that combined swash-buckling drama with laugh-out-loud comedy. Adding a few twists to the well-known story, Encore showcased an updated version of this literary classic, focusing on the ideas of friendship and feminism.
Encore Stage & Studio’s presentation of The Three Musketeers was truly unique and brought 21st-century attitudes and jokes to liven up the classic tale. My favorite part of this theatrical experience was that it was really funny and the cast was so energetic and delivered their one-liners with perfect comedic timing. The young actors were true professionals and some even demonstrated their high-quality sword-fighting skills!
The Three Musketeers: Athos (played by Henry Mangum), Porthos (played by Oliver Meek), Aramis (John Monaco) and D’Artagnan (played by Sam Regardie).
For this play, the cast transports you to 17th century France where the story unfolds through a series of flashbacks. Having been captured and imprisoned, an older self-proclaimed “fourth” Musketeer, D’Artagnan, regales his jailers with the not-so-often heard tale of his friends, the three more famous Musketeers – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. He recollects how the quartet once uncovered a dastardly plot to kidnap the King’s favorite pup and enlisted the help of their countrymen and a trio of fearless girls to defeat the evil Cardinal Richelieu and his minions and rescue the adorable little dog, Deimos.
D’Artagnan shares his story of meeting the three musketeers in his jail cell. From left to right: Guard 1 (Sarah McBurney), Guard 2 (Lola Jurgensen), Older D’Artagnan (Xander Tilock), and Guard 3 (Margot Yacabucci).
The cast was superb – especially, the “four” Musketeers: Sam Regardie, Oliver Meek, John Monaco, and Henry Mangum; each of whom handled their roles admirably. All had a great sense of the stage and knew just the right moment to pause for the audience’s laughter. And, Samantha Russell as Milady de Winter was perfect in the role of Cardinal Richelieu’s wicked accomplice.
Three swashbuckling musketeer-ettes. From left to right: Amelie Oration (played by Molly Savage), Constance Bonacieux (played by Nyla Elder), Anna Conda (played by Bridget Schaller).
If you love plays where the characters engage in daring and romantic adventures and are looking for a fun-for-the-whole-family theatre experience, purchase your tickets now to see Encore Stage & Studio’s The Three Musketeers.
The show’s run-time is approximately 1.5 hours with a 15-minute intermission. Performances run February 28 – March 8, 2020, at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S. Glebe Rd Arlington, VA 22204). Friday performances are at 7:30 pm; Saturday performances are at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm; and Sunday performances are at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $12 for Children, Students, Military, and Seniors and are available online at www.encorestage.org or by calling the box office at (703) 548-1154.
Meet the Reviewer:
Mac Cronin is in the sixth grade at Westminster School in Annandale, Virginia. Mac is an enthusiastic fan of the theatre, especially children’s theatre, and hopes to have the opportunity to view, and review, many more of these great Encore Stage & Studio shows!
Photos by Rebecca Pfeil and Larry McClemons. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian and Aimee Pangan.
Review by Mac Cronin. Edited by Shannon McCarthy.
Dramaturgy 101: The Three Musketeers
Welcome back to Dramaturgy 101! This month, we’re excited to revive Encore’s adaptation of The Three Musketeers, originally written for our 2014/2015 season by Matt Heap and Encore’s Artistic Director, Susan Keady. This production, like several of our other mainstage works this season, focuses on the power of stories and the art of their telling and retelling. This adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel blurs the lines of reality and story through its narrator, an older D’Artagnan, retelling his past adventures.
The Three Musketeers: Athos (played by Henry Mangum), Porthos (played by Oliver Meek), Aramis (John Monaco) and D’Artagnan (played by Sam Regardie).
Dumas’ The Three Musketeers adapts the historical court of Louis XIII, who ruled France from 1610 to 1643, into an adventure story of mythic proportions. Like his Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, Dumas’ legendary Musketeers, Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and D’Artagnan, are based on historical figures from the 1625 France. Dumas, nearly 200 years later, uses these characters to tell a story of political intrigue, warmongering, and the growing class tensions in France at the end of the Ancién Regime. In the 1840s as in the 1620s, France experienced widening class disparities, increasing authoritarianism, and the growing unrest among the disenfranchised, particularly the working classes. Dumas’ novel follows the (imagined) story of the (historical) Cardinal Richelieu arranging to blackmail (historical) Queen Anne and the Duke of Buckingham into revealing their (possibly historical) relationship, thus, starting a war with England and allowing the Cardinal to secure his power over Louis XIII, his court, and the nation at large.
D’Artagnan shares his story of meeting the three musketeers in his jail cell. From left to right: Guard 1 (Sarah McBurney), Guard 2 (Lola Jurgensen), Older D’Artagnan (Xander Tilock), and Guard 3 (Margot Yacabucci).
The novel builds political and social criticism into a thrilling adventure that has since been adapted hundreds of times into other novels, plays, films, and television plots. In fact, Dumas’ own story was based on Memoires de Monsieur d’Artagnan written in 1700 by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras. Dumas even cites the semi-fictionalized novel, written 75 years after the historical D’Artagnan would have lived, in his original introduction to The Three Musketeers as his inspiration for his own story.
Three swashbuckling musketeer-ettes. From left to right: Amelie Oration (played by Molly Savage), Constance Bonacieux (played by Nyla Elder), Anna Conda (played by Bridget Schaller).
This script, like Dumas’ original novel, recognizes the power of storytelling and retelling in creating these larger-than-life characters, like the Three Musketeers (and D’Artagnan), who seem to step out of their original stories and into the cultural consciousness. The script reimagines the D’Artagnan of Dumas’ story as an older man buying himself time before his imminent execution by telling his captors stories of the musketeers’ early days. “Just think—,” one of the guards says in response to D’Artagnan’s offer, “we’d be heroes if we had a new musketeer story to tell!” And a new story they receive, indeed, complete with all the adventure and intrigue of Dumas’ work, though considerably more comedy and even more sword fighting, Encore’s The Three Musketeers builds on the characters and world of the original story. With the help of a royal but ferocious dog, a nervous mayor, a reluctant mime, three strong female leads, and a crew of insurgent villagers, the Three Musketeers (and D’Artagnan) foil Cardinal Richelieu’s latest evil plot.
We hope to see you at the second weekend of Encore’s The Three Musketeers, running March 6th-8th at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. En garde!
Performance Dates and Showtimes:
Friday, March 6, 2020 at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11am and 3pm
Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 3pm
Photos by Rebecca Pfeil.
Blog contribution by 2019/2020 Production Apprentice Kyla McLaughlin.
Edited by Shannon McCarthy.