5 Favorite Songs from Annie Jr!
Next month Annie Jr is premiering at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. In celebration of this exciting, heartfelt musical, we are highlighting our 5 favorite Annie Jr songs.
#5 – Maybe
The sweetest and saddest song. Little Annie dreaming about what her parents are like is definitely a tear jerker for a few. With Annie’s one and only dream being to have a family, the ending of the show truly makes you happy.
#4 – Easy Street
Who doesn’t love money? Nobody loves it more than Miss. Hannigan and Rooster. Who doesn’t love a brother sister singing duo? Who doesn’t love a good plan? This song has it all and it’s a catchy tune! If you don’t find yourself humming along when you hear it, play it again!
#3 – I Don’t Need Anything But You
The cutest duet! Nothing is better than family, and Annie and Warbucks prove it’s all you need. It turns out Annie was right. The sun will come out tomorrow!
#2 – Tomorrow
The most hopeful song in the entire show. The optimism that Annie has is a reminder that there is a brighter future. If anything bad happens and you’re feeling sad, always hold onto the hope of a better tomorrow. And remember, you learned it from Annie!
#1 – Hard Knock Life
Chores, what a bore! This song has it all! Compelling and clever lyrics, a nice beat, and great choreography. It’s an enjoyable number and a definite crowd pleaser. If you don’t know the lyrics to this song you should check them out.
Be sure to check out these songs before coming to see the show! Buy your tickets to Annie Jr. today!
Blog contributor: Taylor Ballinger.
What’s New at Encore by the Numbers
It’s a new month and we have new things in store for Encore! From in-person camp to virtual workshops, we’re excited for it all! Check it out by the numbers:
#5 – FIVE Days of Fun for Spring Break Camp!
We’re excited to announce our spring break camp will be outdoors and in-person! This year, spring break camp is inspired by our favorite movies! Small groups of students will enjoy movement, theatre games and crafts led by Encore’s Teaching Artists. We are excited to provide an opportunity for students to spend (socially distanced) time with friends and activate their creativity!
Students and staff must wear masks, practice social distancing and pass a Covid-19 health screening and temperature check daily. Enrollment is a la carte. Enroll for select days to fit your schedule or the entire week.
Spring Break Camp Dates and Themes:
Monday, March 29 – Over the Moon
Tuesday, March 30 – The Sword in the Stone
Wednesday, March 31 – The Emperor’s New Groove
Thursday, April 1 – Tangled
Friday, April 2 – Wonder Park
Morning Camp: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Fee: $70 per day; $315 full week
Afternoon Camp: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Fee: $52 per day; $235 full week
Location: Encore @ Cherrydale UM Church
3701 Lorcom Ln, Arlington, VA 22207
#4 – FOUR New Virtual Workshops in February!
Fairytale Action Virtual Workshop for Grades K-3
Friday, February 26
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Fee: $35
Improv for Kids Virtual Workshop for Grades 2-3
Saturday, February 13
Times: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Fee: $35
Myths & Legends Virtual Workshop for Grades 4-5
Saturday, February 13
Times: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Fee: $35
Modern Dance Virtual Workshop for Grades 6-12
Monday, February 15
Times: 11:15 am-1:15 pm
Fee: $35
#3 – THREE ways to support Encore!
-AmazonSmile
Be sure to select or renewed your AmazonSmile settings to support Encore Stage & Studio Inc in the Amazon shopping app! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations:
-Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
-Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
-Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
-Create a Fundraiser on Facebook
You can raise money on Facebook and select Encore Stage & Studio as your non-profit of choice! This is a great way to spread the word about the organization you love with all of your friends in one place!
Make a Gift on our Website
Your support is vital as we provide theatre arts opportunities to children and youth during the pandemic and as we look toward spring and summer. Help us get ready for the day we can turn on the stage lights!
#2 – TWO-Pack of Encore Face Masks are Available for Purchase!
Rock your Encore spirit while staying safe! Two-pack of 100% cotton antimicrobial reusable face masks are available for $14. A single face mask is available for $8.
#1 – ONE Awesome Summer Ahead!
Save the date: Encore’s Summer Camp Registration Opens on March 1st!
At Encore, we are already hard at work planning our award-winning camp programs! We believe that summer enrichment is essential to the social, emotional, and mental well-being of children in our community. We cannot wait to be back together again onstage.
We are currently planning for a fully in-person summer camp season. Session information will be posted to our website on February 15.
This school year, we have developed thorough COVID-19 procedures for our in-person classes. We will follow all CDC, Virginia and local health guidelines and adapt programming as pandemic conditions dictate, such as holding camp outdoors, adjusting enrollment capacity or adding additional locations. We have also updated our camp refund policy because we understand that all of us will need flexibility this summer!
You are invited to join us for a Summer Camp Parent Q&A session on Saturday, February 20 at 10 am via zoom.
We will share our exciting summer plans and we want to understand your questions and concerns.
That’s the latest on Encore! We can’t wait to see you all in our spring and summer programs!
Forget West; #EncoreSummer Support is Global!
Happy #FrontRowFriday, Encore friends! It may be hard to believe in the weirdness that is quarantine, but mid-July has arrived. In “normal” times, tonight would have been the opening night of Encore’s summer production of West Side Story. While this isn’t the summer we all expected, we can all do our part to make it a fun and enriching season nonetheless. Dance it out with YouTube choreography, create a cereal box set design, or even look into starting some virtual voice lessons with West Side music director Sarah Markovits or one of our other talented instructors. Looking for other ways to engage with Encore and show your support in place of your production ticket purchases? I’m so glad you asked, Front Row fan. Read on for more ideas!
Newsies “seize the day” in Encore Stage & Studio’s production from Summer 2019. Photo by Cindy Kane Photography.
Follow Our Lead
Are we friends everywhere that we could be? Did you know that, in addition to Facebook and Instagram, Encore posts regularly on Tumblr and Pinterest? Once you’ve given us a follow, encourage your friends to get connected as well. You never know what we might announce next…
While you’re at it, send your favorite #EncoreSummer memories our way – we can’t wait to reminisce with you. Wishing to see something in particular (student features, trivia, IG Lives) in your feed? Send us a message with your ideas!
Take Us Out to the Ball Game
Relive the Washington Nationals’ championship season by entering our raffle for an authentic autographed jersey from your favorite third baseman, Anthony Rendon! Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.
The winner will be drawn on Facebook Live on Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 PM EST before the first home game of the 2020 season. All proceeds will benefit Encore Stage & Studio.
Bring #EncoreSummer to Your Home
We’re well into month two of virtual summer camps with our Encore students and amazing team of teaching artists. We’ve created, imagined, and adapted, finding new ways to bring our ideas to life in this unique format. If you’re missing out on the drama of West Side Story, join us at Scenes for Tweens for Romeo and Juliet or one of our other programs for ages 3-18.
Work Out the Wiggles
For those readers with young ones at home, we hope that you’ve been enjoying Ms. A’s virtual classes for ages 6 months – 5 years. While we’re taking a break from our weekly updates due to summer camps, be sure to check in for mini-classes from Ms. A every other week throughout the summer. In the meantime, have you revisited the fun with our YouTube playlist? Share the screen with friends on Zoom for your very own at-home theatre class!
Erin Driscoll (“Maria”) and Alex Pyke (“Tony”)
Photo by Larry McClemons
Give Back to Your Community
Theatre people are adaptable by trade, but your support means more than ever during these uncertain times. Your donations allow us to continue offering scholarships to any students that are interested in summer camps this year, offering creative engagement and structure to young learners no matter their circumstances. Our staff continues to collaborate with our partners at AFAC and APAH to brainstorm ways to continue to bring theatre and its benefits to their communities. If you are able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Encore’s work today.
Photos by Larry McClemons and Cindy Kane Photography. 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.
The Lady Returns: Alum Maggie Keane on Musketeers
Happy #FrontRowFriday and opening night to Encore’s production of The Three Musketeers! Today you’re in for a double treat: 1) A wonderful opening night performance (Go get your tickets!) and 2) A throwback interview with the original Milady de Winter from Encore’s 2015 production of Musketeers. With warm Encore memories, insider-peeks behind the curtain, and more, this Friday installment is one you won’t want to miss!
Encore: Please introduce yourself. What are you up to now (classes, jobs, projects, shows, etc)?
Maggie: Hi! My name is Maggie Keane. I am a 20-year-old sophomore at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA (right outside San Jose, and just south of San Francisco). I am a Theatre and Communications double major with an emphasis in Journalism. I participated in 14 (I think? Maybe 15 or 16?) Encore productions between sixth and ninth grade. Since then, I was in two Signature in the Schools plays my junior and senior year of high school and have been in three shows as a lead at SCU so far. The fourth show I’ve been cast in here, Dry Powder by Sarah Burgess, opens tomorrow night actually! This is why I, unfortunately, cannot attend Encore’s current production of The Three Musketeers.
Encore: What was your most memorable moment at Encore?
Maggie: Most memorable moment? Tough to recall because there are so many. I always loved the break time between the two Saturday shows when the entire cast and crew would get up on stage, turn off all of the lights and dance like crazy to “Sandstorm.” The “big” kids–who I greatly looked up to– would always lead us. It was so much fun and a great way to bond and get out our energy.
I also remember getting cast as Princess Briar Rose in Sleeping Beauty when I was in seventh grade. I was absolutely ecstatic because not only was it my first lead role ever, but Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite princess. (I also had my very first kiss in that show so how could I forget that? Hahahaha.)
I always looked forward to the cast parties at The Silver Diner after each closing performance. Again, it was a great way to bond with everyone in the production and celebrate our hard work.
Encore: Which skills or lessons did you take away from your time at Encore?
Maggie: Encore taught me a lot. I didn’t go to the same middle school as all of my elementary school friends, so the beginning of sixth grade was a rocky transition. Luckily, I got cast in an Encore show that same year which gave me a wonderful safe space and creative outlet where the inevitable stresses of middle school no longer seemed to matter. Encore allowed me to become friends with some really wonderful, unique, caring, and talented people of all ages. Encore gave me the opportunity to form strong bonds with people I otherwise would likely have never met. Encore helped me learn how to become comfortable in my own skin, which is something that is especially difficult in middle and high school. I had been in one or two shows during elementary school, but Encore was pretty much my first real experience with theatre. Encore laid all the theatre groundwork that allowed and encouraged me to continue to pursue theatre. It was through performing and working backstage at Encore that I developed such a strong passion for theatre and performing. Theatre is such a blessing in my life, and I owe the discovery of that blessing to Encore.
Encore: Were there any Encore staff members who particularly resonated with you?
Maggie: Every staff member at Encore was always incredibly friendly, understanding, and supportive. But Marji Jepperson and Susan Keady stand out in my mind most. Marji was my first director at Encore. She was so sweet and patient with me as it was my first show and I didn’t really know what I was doing. I remember her incredible, very detailed props and how giddy she got about each one. She always made shirts for each show, too, and she’d wear them so proudly. She was the type of woman whose smile made everyone around her smile too. I was so heartbroken to hear she passed away.
Susan taught me a lot about acting. She really treated all of us like professionals yet also as her friends. She is so unbelievably strong, talented, and such a hard worker. I really really look up to her.
Encore: You played Milady de Winter in our 2015 world premiere production of The Three Musketeers. What was that experience like?
Maggie: Playing Milady de Winter was a blast. I had never played an evil character until that point, so I was so thrilled to get that part. I remember the role and the show as a whole was a lot of work. It was a big cast; there were fight scenes and a lot of lines, and it was a comedy but there was also plenty of drama. But, it was so worth it because I learned so much. I feel like I really grew my acting skills in that show. I was so lucky that a bunch of my friends were in the production with me, and I made a bunch of new ones as well.
Encore: What were challenges or your favorite lines from the show?
Maggie: A challenge was playing someone evil. Again, before that I had only played “nice” roles. So, I had to be OK with scaring audiences or audience members not liking my character. But, I realized if that was the case then that meant I was doing a good job. I don’t remember a ton of the lines, but I do remember Act l closed with me center stage, grabbing the hair of a much younger cast member, glaring at the audience saying “I will destroy them all.” I felt so powerful with that line.
Encore: Any words and wishes to share to our 2020 Three Musketeers cast and crew?
Maggie: Have fun! You all are so lucky to be a part of an original show. Since it hasn’t been done many times before, that means you have the opportunity to create the characters yourselves. The show is really special, so enjoy it. If you enjoy yourselves up there, then the audience will enjoy themselves too. You’re all going to be amazing, I wish I could come see it. Break legs! 🙂
Many thanks to Maggie for taking time out of her own tech week to share her memories and reflections with readers of The Front Row. Come share her well wishes with the cast and crew of The Three Musketeers, opening tonight!
Performance Dates and Showtimes:
Fridays, February 28 and March 6, 2020 at 7:30pm
Saturdays, February 29 and March 7, 2020 at 11am and 3pm
Sundays, March 1 and 8, 2020 at 3pm
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan Christian.
Blog contribution by Aileen Pangan Christian.
Edited by Shannon McCarthy.
The Best Ways to Have an Epic Summer!
Happy #FrontRowFriday, Encore fans! We’ve got a lot of awesome to share with you today, so I’ll keep this intro short and sweet. Read on to catch five major ways to make 2020 the best summer you’ve ever had!
Erin Driscoll (“Maria”) and Alex Pyke (“Tony”)
Photo by Larry McClemons
The icy refreshment of summer air conditioning may feel years away as we ward off the winter chill, but auditions for Encore’s summer production of the classic musical West Side Story will be here before we know it! With opportunities for dancers, singers, ushers, and technicians, this production offers a wonderful chance to learn from adult performers and older students, ensuring that all of our cast and crew members will get to share and learn in equal measure. Cast auditions and crew interviews will take place on May 11 & 12, 2020.
(P.S. Keep an eye on your email in the next few weeks to cash in on a special ticket offer for West Side Story, only running for a limited time!)
Guide the Next Generation
For many performers and theatre-lovers, it’s possible to look back in our memories and pick out a few key moments that helped to shape our love for the arts. For you, maybe it was a grandparent who loved movie musicals, an art teacher who constantly encouraged you, or a downstairs neighbor who didn’t complain as you tap-danced around your room for hours. For Encore’s community of young adults, this summer could be your opportunity to be a key memory for a future Teacher of the Year, Tony nominee, or award-winning playwright. Bring your passion for theatre to camp as a counselor and share the magic of the arts with the next generation. Applications are now available for paid summer opportunities.
Become an Encore VIP
Summer is the prime time to lock in your best ticket prizes and secure your favorite seat placements as an Encore Season Member. Members not only get exclusive ticket discounts but also have the opportunity to reserve their preferred seats before single tickets become available to the general public. Memberships will go on sale following our 2020/2021 season reveal. This event usually occurs in June, so stay tuned for more information. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your confidence in Encore and our quality productions by purchasing your tickets in advance!
(P.S. This is your final chance to lock in Season Membership savings with a 3-show package. Become a Season Member and join us at The Three Musketeers with the satisfaction that you are living your best Encore life!)
Put on a Happy Face
Summer always seems to sneak up with unexpected purchases: beach towels, sunblock, pool floaties, and s’more. Remember Encore in your vacation planning by making your last-minute purchases through Amazon Smile, where a percentage of your donation will go toward supporting “Theatre by Kids, for Kids” in your community!
(P.S. Looking to make an impact even sooner? Considering joining us for Encore’s annual Benefit Breakfast for some delicious food, wonderful performances, and vision casting on April 29, 2020.)
Take a Trip to Lands Far and Near
New York City, the Jungle of Nool, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Wonderland, and Verona. What do all these locations have in common? You can journey to all these places and more this summer with Encore (no passport required!). With programs for ages 3-18, 2020 is your year to step out and join us on a fantastic theatre adventure.
Register today, Friday, January 31, 2020, to secure the best summer camp prizes of our season before prices increase at the end of our Early Bird sale!
Photos by Larry McClemons, Aileen Pangan Christian, Shannon McCarthy, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
2019 Wrap-Up: November and December Highlights
The beginning of November saw the premiere of Encore’s latest program, Flip the Script. Three packed audiences enjoyed “The Day That Nothing Happened,” a student-devised and performed piece focusing on the historic integration of Arlington County public schools. We look forward to featuring scenes from this work in the MLK Day performance produced by Arlington County.
Ready to tackle your own production experience? Audition for The Three Musketeers on January 14 & 15, 2020!
We Played the Day Away
November brought us several wonderful Holiday Mini Camp days. We had a blast collaborating as a group to create a brand-new final sharing each day, as well as playing games, making crafts, and learning dances.
January is full of new mini-camp opportunities, so now is your chance to join us for an epic day of play and theatre fun whenever school is out for the day. Sign up today to secure your spot – limited space available!
We Welcomed New Friends
This fall we welcomed a new Development Officer, Kelley O’Dell! She has already had an incredible impact on Encore’s individual giving stats, as well as being a joyous addition to Encore’s offices.
Make Kelley’s day and give your 2019 tax refund a boost by placing an end-of-year gift to Encore (a 501c3 organization) by the end of today!
We Sang, Danced, and Performed
Our Late Fall classes covered topics ranging from Shakespeare to Broadway, fairytales to stage combat, and beyond. With so many of our classes running, we were thrilled to present a host of awesome end of session sharings.
Space in Winter classes is limited, so sign up today to join in on the creativity, collaboration, and, of course, fun!
We Investigated
It doesn’t take a detective to realize that Encore’s annual holiday show was a smash-hit. CSI: Christmas Scene Investigators closed out with a second weekend full of sold-out performances! The Clue Club hunted down the missing Santa Claus and the holiday season was saved for all!
Keep the winter magic alive with Encore’s upcoming production of the musical Narnia, playing January 10-19, 2020 at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre.
We Dreamed of Summer
This month we were pumped to announce all of our camp themes for Summer 2020. Lucky for you, registration opened just yesterday. Head over to our summer landing page, check out the dates and themes, then sign up today to lock in your best early bird price and guarantee your spot for your summer theatre adventure!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Top 20 Posts to Prep for 2020
Welcome back to The Front Row, Encore fans! I hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. The Encore offices remain closed until January 2nd, 2020, but I wanted to drop in to remind you all of some of the wonderful goings-on that were featured on the blog this year. Grab a mug of cocoa and enjoy this look back at some of the highlights of 2019:
January
1) 7 Terrific Reasons to Come to Tech Camp This Summer
I love featuring aspects of Encore’s programming that may not always find the spotlight. This look at Encore’s summer Tech Camps is timely once again, as registration for Summer 2020 opens on December 30th!
February
2) 7 Reasons to Make Headlines in Newsies
I personally love the summer production, having participated as an actor these past three summers. This blog feature was particularly fun because I got to dive into some of the history of the real-life newies. Keep an eye out for more summer-related content in the new year and mark your calendars for West Side Story auditions on May 11th & 12nd, 2020.
3) Turning the Tables: Isabel and Rebecca
It’s always fantastic when members of our staff have the opportunity to directly share their experiences with students. As the blog editor, I love to learn more about both our participants and our awesome staff. Check this one out if you’re interested in learning more about Rebecca and the field of production management!
Mean Girls Day, 2019
March
4) Encore’s Real-life Superheroes
I have the great fortune to work alongside and learn from a whole team of theatre professionals that make coming to work each day a blast. If you missed this post when it first went up on the blog, definitely check it out to gain some wisdom in the new year! Searching for your next endeavor? Join our team!
April
5) Thank You from Executive Director Sara Duke
Spring of 2019 was full of some serious questions for Encore and the rest of the Arlington arts community. Proposed budget cuts threatened many of the resources that we depend upon to produce the shows that we love so much. Luckily, our community rallied together to make the #ARLSaveOurStage movement a success. Thank you again!
6) 7 Sunny Highlights from 2019’s Benefit Breakfast
The Benefit Breakfast is always a greatly anticipated event for those of us working in the Encore offices. There’s a buzz of excitement leading up to the event every year. It’s a joy to spend time with our Encore family, hear from volunteers, and view excellent performances from our talented participants.
7) #TechTuesday with Scenes for Tween’s Seth Rosenke
Our students love to work with Mr. Seth, so I was happy to have him on The Front Row for an interview. As the Camp Director for Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12), Seth oversees week after week of amazing summer programming. Check out his interview while you bide time before registration for Summer 2020 opens on December 30th!
May
8) The Parents Speak: Encore Education
We love receiving feedback! The only thing we love more is probably sharing positive feedback with all of you, our followers. We are proud to brag on our talented participants, engaged teaching artists, and professional staff any day.
9) A Pre-K Q&A w/ Madaline Langston
In 2019 we debuted a brand-new summer camp program, created especially with young learners in mind. We’re pumped to bring back our camp for Ages 3-5 this summer as well, so registered on December 30th to join us!
June
10) Encore Named #OneOfTheBest by Catalogue for Philanthrophy
It was (and continues to be) a true honor to be included in the 2019/2020 Catalogue for Philanthropy under such a prestigious designation. We’re grateful for all of the support, resources, and advocacy that the Catalogue continues to provide to non-profits such as Encore Stage & Studio year in and year out.
11) 5 Life Skills Children Cultivate in the Performing Arts
As a product of arts education myself, I always relish the opportunity to showcase the benefits that spending time and around the arts can have for young people (and adults as well!).
July
12) “An Exercise in Courage” with Emma Kiely-Hampson
Here’s a glimpse behind the curtain for you blog readers: Emma and I are best friends from college, so I was thrilled when she finally came out to audition for an Encore show after supporting me from the audience for the last few years. I loved her insight into the rehearsal and audition processes and was thrilled to share my sweet friend’s interview with all of you!
13) From the Cast: A Newsies Rehearsal Update
The passion and enthusiasm of the Newsies cast this summer was utterly infectious and perfect for sharing. I love when we’re able to draw back the curtain and share some of the behind-the-scenes elements of a production, and the summer show is just perfect for doing so.
August
14) The Parents Speak: #EncoreSummer
The Encore community had an amazing summer in 2019! Not only did we debut two brand-new camp programs to serve additional age groups, but we also mentored dozens of camp aides and interns, produced several camp productions, and shared the magic of theatre with hundreds of young people. Let’s get ready to do it all again!
September
15) Delving Deeper with Patrick McGee
After witnessing his excellent work in both the classroom and rehearsal space, we were thrilled to welcome Mr. Patrick McGee to Encore’s full-time staff. I personally appreciate his teaching mentality and outlook; it was a pleasure to share his interview with Encore readers.
October
16) Audition Advice Round-Up
As an editor, I aim to make The Front Row blog a resource for students, parents, teachers, and beyond. Auditions can be stressful for even more experienced performers (guilty!), so I wanted to share the wealth of advice we’ve accumulated over the years to share with all of you!
November
17) Season of Giving Resource Guide
One of my favorite parts of working in Marketing is getting to assist and facilitate projects in all other departments of the organization. I’m personally proud of this guide, as it can act as a quick and easy resource during this busy season for Development.
18) Capturing Magic with Cindy Kane
Cindy’s photographs have honestly been such a meaningful and significant contribution to Encore’s marketing efforts. It was wonderful to sit down with her and learn more about her process. A definite must-read!
19) An Attitude of Gratitude
It’s always super enjoyable to check in with our staff and hear from them, especially during the happiness of the holiday season!
Photo by Anne Canon Photography
December
20) Alumni Friendship Going Strong: “A Decade and Counting”
We love hearing from our Encore alums and finding out what they’re up to. This month brought us a special BFF double dose of Encore friendship. Heart-warming enough to get you through even the coldest winter day.
Thank you for another wonderful year here on The Front Row blog. I’m excited to share the classes, camps, productions, and more that await us in the next decade!
P.S. Be sure to join us on Monday, December 30th, 2019 for the opening of Summer Camp Registration!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Connie Polnow, and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.