Poltergeists of Encore’s Past
As the end of September draws near, the spirits are stirring. We’re searching for brave souls to join our Ghostchasers to face down the season’s spooks. Are you up to the challenge?
Encore has also tangled with its fair share of witches over the years…
Snow White, 1996
Hansel and Gretel, 1973
Some villains choose to work alone… (Snow White, 2009)
While others prefer to keep some cronies and flunkies on hand. (Disney’s The Lion King, Jr., 2018)
Though not all beasts are necessarily scary. (Reluctant Dragon, 1997)
Cul de Sac, 2016
Sherlock Holmes, 2018
We’ve even had creepy critters and spooky specters show up off the stage…at Encore’s annual Costume Caper, that is!
Come one, come all; we promise to be good hosts. To witches, ghouls, and, of course, ghosts!
If you made it through this menacing menagerie without fear, you might be ready to graduate to the level of the Ghostchasers! Come take in the thrills and chills of poltergeists, ghosts, zombies, and more when the show opens on October 5th. Get your tickets online or by calling our Box Office at (703) 548-1154.
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Graphic by Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Wearing Many Hats – Arts Apprentice Alana Gibson
This #TechTuesday we welcome a new member of Encore’s incredible team. Alana Gibson is serving as one of two Arts Apprentices for the 2018/19 season here at Encore. We’re excited to introduce her to our wonderful Encore family. Without further ado: Ms. Alana!
Encore: Briefly introduce yourself: what’s your past experience with theatre and/or education?
Alana: Hey! I’m Alana Gibson, hailing from Prince George’s County, MD. I’m a recent graduate of Goucher College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts Administration. I’ve been involved the arts (theater and dance) since I was child. My experience with education stems from working at the Youth Center on Joint Base Andrews in Clinton, Maryland. My experience with the arts led me to teaching dance and being a Teaching Assistant for the Being Acting class at Goucher.
Encore: What’s the most memorable theatre experience you’ve ever had?
Alana: My most memorable theater experience involved being an integral part of my senior project production at Goucher. The R&J Project was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that utilized audience-centered experimental theater. The whole class, including myself, rewrote the entire script, which included sonnets, poems, and songs. I was cast as the Nurse character that would become the radical, yet motherly, bodyguard of Juliet. Not only a writer and cast member, I was also the choreographer for the production. I wore many hats while working on that production and it’s an experience I will forever cherish.
Encore: What led you to applying for Encore’s apprenticeship program?
Alana: What led me to applying for the program was that awkward time of my senior year in college when I knew that I needed to start applying for jobs and the fact that graduation was coming closer than I realized. The theater department chair at Goucher, Becky Free (shout out to her!), forwarded me an email from Sara [Duke] about the program so I took the leap faith.
Encore: What are you most excited about during your time with us?
Alana: I’m most excited about really getting the chance to dive head first into the world of arts administration. I could have taken all the classes in the world, but nothing will beat the reality of experiencing it firsthand.
Encore: Which show are you most looking forward to in our 2018/19 season?
Alana: I’m looking forward to Jingle ARRGH The Way the most! It’ll be the first production that I will see to fruition here at Encore, so that makes it a little extra special. Also pirates plus Christmas equals a match made in heaven to me!!
To meet the lovely Alana in person, be sure to purchase your 2018/19 Season Subscription to guarantee your best seats at all of Encore’s upcoming productions. Stay tuned for next week’s #TechTuesday to meet our other awesome apprentice!
Photos by Nikki Cee and Larry McClemons. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Visit Encore at Clarendon Day 2018!
With students back to school and the first crunchy leaves on the ground, fall is just around the corner! With fall comes the annual Clarendon Day street festival. This year’s festivities will take place on Saturday, September 22nd and Encore will be there to celebrate! Why should you come join us? We’re so glad you asked!
2) Satisfy your cravings! You might be on your way home from Saturday classes or headed to rehearsal – in any case, the plethora of delicious restaurants at CD will surely have your tummies rumbling, but not for long!
3) Take in a show! From Irish step dancing to ballet and local singer-songwriters, there’s so much to see and hear at Clarendon Day. Perhaps you’ll discover a new favorite band or be inspire to dance a jig yourself!
4) Get crafty! Looking for something to decorate your locker or your desk at work? Maybe shopping for a birthday gift or getting a jump start on the holidays? With over fifty vendors featured, Clarendon Day is a great place to start!
5) Spread the Encore love! We love our Encore family of students, teachers, families, and volunteers – so much that we love watching that family grow! Come visit our booth and share your stories of Encore shows, camps, and other adventures with new friends. Looking to get some volunteer hours in for your organization? If you’re an Encore alum (or current show participant), sign up for a shift at Encore’s booth using our SignUpGenius! Our volunteers are so great at sharing that we won’t have to “chase” anyone down to come see the first show of our season!
Photos by Larry McClemons, Connie Polnow, and Aileen Pangan. Graphic by Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Hands-On Learning w/ Production Arts Apprentice Caolan Eder!
This #TechTuesday, prepare to give a warm welcome to our second Arts Apprentice for the 2018/19 Season, Encore family. Introducing…Caolan Eder!
Encore: Briefly introduce yourself: what’s your past experience with theatre and/or education?
Caolan: I grew up around here and took acting classes when I was young. That really helped me come out of my shell, and in middle school I switched to technical theater. Through my work in college with a multicultural theatre company, I saw how theatre can be used as an educational tool; it was there that I discovered a love of teaching.
Encore: What’s the most memorable theatre experience you’ve ever had?
Caolan: A few years ago I was props master and ASM for a local theatre festival. One of the shows required me to make a 7-foot-long plush unicorn horn, which I then puppeteered from backstage. Unfortunately the curtains didn’t really hide me from view, so I ended up performing the role of the unicorn’s body for the small section of the audience that could see me.
Encore: What led you to applying for Encore’s apprenticeship program?
Caolan: I was looking for a hands-on job that would help me learn more about theatre as education, so Encore’s apprenticeship was the perfect opportunity!
Encore: What are you most excited about during your time with us?
Caolan: I look forward to making people smile.
Encore: What do you anticipate to be a challenge you’ll overcome as an Apprentice?
Caolan: I get social anxiety sometimes, but since theatre helped me get through that in the past, I expect that working with Encore will likewise be an opportunity to grow.
Encore: Which show are you most looking forward to in our 2018/19 season?
Caolan: I’m excited about Newsies. I’ve seen and worked on several productions of the show, so I’m interested to see how Encore interprets it.
Welcome aboard, Caolan! We’re excited to see all of the wonderful contributions you’ll make to Encore’s productions this season. To join us in the audience, purchase your season subscription today to guarantee your best seats and theatre experience! Click here to purchase and learn more or reach us in the office at (703) 548-1154.
Production photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
#StudioSaturday with Ms. “Cici” Allen
Today is the start of our Saturday Early Fall classes! To celebrate, we’re kicking off a new blog series focusing on our fabulous Education department. Welcome to the first installment of #StudioSaturday! Every few weeks, we’ll feature one of our talented teaching artists to get their thoughts on theatre education and give you the chance to get to know them better. This week, we’re kicking it off with an Encore favorite, Ms. Christina “Cici” Allen.
Encore: How long have you been teaching for Encore? In which capacities?
Cici: I have been teaching for Encore Stage and Studio for nine years. I have taught Saturday classes, after-school classes, and summer camps, such as It’s Elementary. I have worked the most with preschool and elementary school ages.
Encore: What’s the most valuable skill that theatre has taught you?
Cici: Theater has taught me many valuable skills, so it is difficult to choose just one. However, I would say one of the most valuable skills it has taught me is how to adapt to any challenge and situation that I encounter with an open mind and fresh ideas. Theater teaches improvisation and how to think of new ideas in the moment. I think that this inspires innovation within our students that can help them in all sorts of pursuits. I often come up with out-of-the-box ideas and I think I owe a lot of that skill to my theatrical training and teachers.
Encore: Why is arts education important for young people?
Cici: Arts education is so critical for young people’s development. In addition to helping students develop their cultural awareness, confidence, and social-emotional development, it also helps support their overall intelligence. Students make meaningful connections with their classmates and learn to collaborate; these are important life-skills that can help them in any aspect of life. Students also get substantial linguistic development through reading literature and being exposed to new vocabulary. Also, many students will find an interest that is enjoyable that they can continue for their entire lifetimes either as spectators or performers.
Encore: Complete this sentence: “I’m most looking forward to teaching _____ because _____.”
Cici: I’m most looking forward to teaching Saturday theater classes because I love to watch the kids make meaningful connections in class, experiment with new skills, and perform a final showcase in front of their parents. Their faces show how proud of themselves they are once the performance is shared!
Don’t miss your chance to work with Ms. Cici and our other amazing teaching artists! Register for Late Fall classes today to ensure your spot in your preferred class. Check out our Class page for more information on our course offerings, then register online or by calling us at (703) 548-1154. Have a great semester, Early Fall classes; we’ll be back soon with another installment of #StudioSaturday!
Photos by Aileen Pangan and Connie Polnow. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
And the Season Reveal Contest Winner is…
Happy #TechTuesday, Encore fans!
With Ghostchasers in rehearsal and the second night of Jingle ARRGH the Way auditions this evening, Encore’s 2018/19 season is already well underway!
Leading up to our Season Reveal/Hamiltunes party in June, we hosted a scavenger hunt on the Front Row blog and Encore’s Instagram that offered up riddles as clues to the upcoming season’s roster of shows. We had a great time reading through your musings and guesses in the comments!
One of you, however, came closer to guessing the season than all the rest. When it came to submitting the ballot for show suspicions, this Encore fan correctly listed Ghostchasers, Robin Hood, and Disney’s Newsies. For this valiant effort, this super sleuth will receive a free season subscription for the 2018/19 season! Congratulations to…Xander Tilock!
Worried you’ve missed out on the fun? Have no fear (unless it’s of a pesky ghost) – Season Subscriptions are available now! To secure your best seats for every show this season, sign up before October 14th. Not sure what your schedule has in store? A 3-show subscription is also available and subscribers are able to change performance dates at any time (in this case, we will get you as close to your original seats as possible). If you’re ready to laugh, cheer, sing, and spook with “Theatre by kids, for kids,” a season subscription is a fantastic way to kick off the school year, celebrate a birthday, or bring family and friends together.
To purchase, visit Encore online or call our Box Office at (703) 548-1154. We can’t wait to tickle your funny bones at Ghostchasers, opening October 5th!
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan. Graphic by Aileen Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Have a Happy Labor Day! | Encore’s Office Closed Sept. 3-7, 2018
We’ve had such a great summer!
Encore’s offices will be closed September 3rd – 7th, in honor of Labor Day and to give our hardworking staff a break after a busy summer of thrilling productions, awesome students, and whirlwind camps.
But fear not, dear Encore friends – we’ll be back with more behind-the-scenes interviews, audition tips, and highlights from Early Fall classes before you know it!
Have a great Labor day weekend, from your Encore family!
Photos by Aileen Pangan and Larry McClemons. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Climb Aboard and Join the Crew!
Ahoy, #TechTuesday mateys! In two short weeks, Captain Kristen Jepperson will be recruiting brave souls to sail on the SS Jingle Crew and, oh buoy, we can’t wait. Why should you leave your landlubbing ways behind and interview to join the crew? Keep yer eyes here and there may be tech treasure to be found!
Still feeling un-shore? Check out the antics of our jolly Crewtons on Instagram and read some of their “swell” responses below:
- Building stuff!
- Getting to see what’s going on behind the scenes.
- Opening night! (It’s even better with M&Ms!)
- Working with awesome teachers like Kristen and Rebecca!
- Seeing the finished product. It is so cool to know that I helped build that [set] and now it’s on stage.
If you’re ready to climb on board, come out to auditions for Jingle ARRGH the Way, September 10th and 11th at Encore’s Main Campus. You’ll have the chance to meet with Captain Kristen and interview for a chance to serve on her crew. Don’t worry – we won’t let anyone walk the plank…unless it’s to the moving truck!
Photos by Aileen Pangan and Larry McClemons. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
4 Fabulous Fall Faves at Encore
According to Pumpkin Spice lovers out there, autumn kicks off just next week. We can’t wait for all of the goodness of fall – the crunch of leaves, new school supplies, hilarious costumes! Here are four spooks and goofs that we’re excited for at Encore.
1. Early Fall classes kick off September 15th! With offerings aimed toward students 6 months through 12th grade, this sweet 4-week session will satisfy any craving. For more information and to register today, click here.
2. Music, Family, Fun! Come visit your Encore family at our booth during Clarendon Day on September 22nd. With an entire street festival to explore, there’s lots to discover, from delicious food to adorable arts and crafts. Come spread the word about the joy of Encore with your family and friends!
3. Don’t be a lazy bones! The third annual Costume Caper 5K and Fun Run in on Saturday, October 27th, so mark your calendars. Early Bird registration ends October 5th.
4. It’s beginning to look a lot like… For those of us who are ready for a whole other holiday season, you’re in luck! Auditions for Jingle ARRGH the Way are coming up on September 10th and 11th. Check out our Auditions page for tips and information about our pre-audition workshop.
All this festive fall fun has us going batty and we can’t wait to share it with all of you! What’s your favorite thing about the autumn season? Whether it’s spooky or sweet, we can’t wait to hear about it – join us over on Instagram to celebrate the season!
Photos by Aileen Pangan and Larry McClemons. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Arts Management Intern Connie Polnow Signing Off
Hello everyone! Today is the last day of my Arts Management Internship here at Encore. It’s been an amazing summer and I want to share some of the highlights and tell you all about what life as an intern has been like.
I was put to work right away for our 50th Anniversary Celebration and our big season reveal back in June (for those of you who were there, I made the season reveal book!) and I’ve been hard at work ever since. I helped with our website update, particularly the Opportunities, 2018/2019 Season, Staff, and Past Seasons pages, school outreach, taking photos of our camps and Seussical, and many design projects you’ll see later in the season! I also helped out at camps by greeting at Stage Door and Scenes for Tweens and creating all the programs for the camp shows.
One of my favorite projects that I got to work on was designing posters for some of our upcoming events. You’ve already seen the Costume Caper 5K poster at Seussical, but be on the lookout for our Early Childhood Classes and Disney’s Newsies posters in the coming months! I love design and I really enjoyed the opportunity to create these posters as well as some website pages, social media graphics, and the shirts for the upcoming Improv-A-Thon and Summer Nights Live camps.
But, by far, my favorite experience of the summer was being Front of House Manager for Seussical. While I’m a huge theatre fan, I’ve never been a part of a show before and I had no idea what to expect. I had so much fun running around and making sure everything went smoothly. This experience showed me what a great community Encore and theatre are and I was really sad when it was all over I have to give a big thank you to my wonderful Front of House Crew for making working Seussical so much fun and so fulfilling!
I learned a lot this summer about theatre. As I said, I came in with no theatre experience, so I had no idea what goes on behind the scenes. Well let me tell you, there’s A LOT, and I don’t just mean backstage! So much preparation goes into setting up, advertising, creating the Playbill, social media, building the website so that people can actually buy tickets, answering patron questions, and so much more! It was awesome to learn about this largely unseen part of theatre.
As a marketing major, I’m very interested in learning about how theatres like Encore promote their shows and classes. Aileen (Encore’s Marketing Director and my supervisor) taught me about all the marketing avenues Encore uses to do so. She really broadened my understanding of how far the term marketing reaches and how a nonprofit like Encore manages its resources.
This means that I learned a lot about the inner workings of nonprofits too. Being a nonprofit comes with it’s own challenges and opportunities and it was fascinating to learn about and see how Encore takes charge of them.
I think being a non-profit is what makes the Encore culture so awesome. Everyone loves coming in to work and is always ready to share their passion. I’ve felt welcome here since day one and I’ve never learned names so quickly. This summer has been hectic for everyone but no one let it affect the positive atmosphere of the office. I too enjoyed coming in to the office every morning, coffee in hand, ready to take on the day.
I’m going to leave you all with some of the photos I took these past 8 weeks and a final thank you to Aileen and the Encore team for making this summer so memorable! To anyone considering this internship in the future, definitely apply! If you love theatre, this is a great opportunityand I’m very glad I got to have this experience.
