Category: Latest Encore News

Virtual Camp Review: Jeff & Colin

We’re back on The Front Row blog with another parent review of this summer’s virtual camp programs. We’re excited to share another family’s perspective, so we’ll get right to it:

Encore: Please briefly introduce yourself. What was your family’s previous experience with Encore prior to this summer, if any?

Jeff: Our son had participated in a couple of Encore camps and was cast in one Encore production. He’s had a great time in everything he’s done with Encore and was looking forward to this year’s camps.

Encore: If you weren’t already enrolled in an Encore camp, what prompted you to seek out/sign up for virtual summer camp programming?

Jeff: Our son was already enrolled in Encore camp. When we told him that the camp would be online, we figured that he would ask us to switch to a different camp experience. Instead, he was committed to sticking with his Encore camp.

Encore: What expectations did you have about virtual programming before the camp started?

Jeff: He said that he was worried that the virtual camp wouldn’t be as much fun as the in-person camp and that he wouldn’t have fun. He was surprised at how much he enjoyed the online camp and we were surprised at how upbeat and engaged he was. It was cool to hear him in his room singing, laughing, and acting during the day.

Encore: What new skills or lessons did your child learn from their time at camp?

Jeff: He learned how a bit about camera work as he was working to get himself correctly in the frame during the camp performances.

Encore: Are there any key moments from your student’s virtual camp experience that particularly stand out in your memory (a favorite song they learned, a new friend they made, etc.)?

Jeff: He really got into the character he was cast as and enjoyed the opportunity to work on his comedic chops.

Encore: Any words of advice to future virtual participants/their families?

Jeff: I was blown away by the high energy level the Encore staff brought to the camp experience. That enthusiasm was infectious and the kids seemed to engage more as a result. If you know your child is into performing, then they should have a great time with the Encore camp, even with the limitations of the virtual format.

Thank you to the Lee family, for both their honest feedback and for joining us for virtual camp this summer. There is still time for you to register and join their ranks as unique theatre-makers this year.

Virtual Summer Camps for August

Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12)

August 31 – September 4, 2020 – Movie Mash-Up

Virtual Workshops for Ages 9-18

August 27: How to Nail Your Audition and Get the Role You Want (with Lisa Shaw)
September 1: How to Belt Without Straining (with Lisa Shaw)

In-Person Camps for Ages 6-18

August 31 – September 4, 2020: Let’s Get Moving – Mind, Body, and Imagination (ages 6-11)
August 31 – September 4, 2020: Theatre Lovers’ Project – Scene Study (ages 11-18)

Enrollment closes at 5 PM EST the Sunday prior to the start of camp.

Photos by Connie Polnow and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

Virtual Camp Review: Michelle & Ali

Welcome back to The Front Row blog. I hope you enjoyed Tuesday’s post, where we introduced a new mini-series of parental reviews of Encore’s virtual summer camp programs. Today we’re back, with some familiar faces and a new perspective on Stage Door in this unique format. Enjoy!

Encore: Please briefly introduce yourself. What was your family’s previous experience with Encore prior to this summer, if any?

Michelle: My name is Michelle, and my daughter’s name is Ali. Ali is 12 years old. She has performed in several Encore shows and attended one camp in-person last year (Tragedy vs. Comedy) and one virtual camp (Stage Door Annie Jr.) this year.

Encore: If you weren’t already enrolled in an Encore camp, what prompted you to seek out/sign up for virtual summer camp programming?

Michelle: Ali was already enrolled in Annie Jr. camp when the pandemic made for an interesting summer. We decided to try the virtual format with Encore and we were not disappointed at all!

Encore: What expectations did you have about virtual programming before the camp started?

Michelle: This was Ali and Encore’s first virtual camp and I was hoping that she would be engaged enough for the entire camp. I was pleasantly surprised and my expectations were met and exceeded.

Encore: What new skills or lessons did your child learn from their time at camp?

Michelle: Ali learned so many aspects about Zoom that she did not know before. During camp, there were break-out sessions with a smaller number of campers and she was able to navigate the platform well.

Encore: Are there any key moments from your student’s virtual camp experience that particularly stand out in your memory (a favorite song they learned, a new friend they made, etc.)?

Michelle: Here are two:

1) When we watched Annie Jr. as a family, we were amazed at how well the show was done. Campers filmed themselves singing and dancing at home and the Encore staff was able to put the film together to make the show. It was a great show.

2) Listening to Ali up in her room singing and dancing every day made my heart happy. She was in her element.

Encore: Any words of advice to future virtual participants/their families?

Michelle: If you or your child are interested in attending a virtual camp, you will not be disappointed with Encore’s camps. Your child will be able to enjoy their love of theatre at home.

Many thanks to Michelle and Ali, for both their honest feedback and for joining us for virtual camp this summer. There is still time for you to register and join their ranks as unique theatre-makers this year.

Virtual Summer Camps for August

It’s Elementary (ages 5-9)

August 17-21, 2020 – Laugh Out Loud
August 24-28, 2020 – Around the World in 5 Days
August 31-September 4, 2020 – Under the Sea

Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12)

August 17-21, 2020 – Improv-a-thon
August 24-28, 2020 – Summer Nights Live
August 31 – September 4, 2020 – Movie Mash-Up

Enrollment closes at 5 PM EST the Sunday prior to the start of camp.

Photos by Cindy Kane Photography, Aileen Pangan Christian, and Connie Polnow. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

Virtual Camp Review: Dasha & Sayuri

Welcome back to The Front Row blog, Encore fans. This #TechTuesday, I’m excited to introduce a new series. The staff here at Encore love what we do and deeply believe in the power of theatre to bring happiness, encourage growth, and build friendships…but you hear us share about that quite a bit. Want a fresh take on our programs? Who better to ask than the families that have experienced the camps and put them to the test? Join us over the coming weeks as we hear from some of our recent virtual camp participants!

Encore: Please briefly introduce yourself. What was your family’s previous experience with Encore
prior to this summer, if any?

Dasha: My name is Dasha, and my daughter’s name is Sayuri. Sayuri is seven years old. Before this
summer, Sayuri had attended The Tales of Beatrix Potter classes and a mini-camp (Matilda) during
the school year at Encore.

Encore: If you weren’t already enrolled in an Encore camp, what prompted you to seek out/sign up
for virtual summer camp programming?

Dasha: Because Sayuri had such a great time with Encore during the school year, I enrolled her in an
Encore summer camp, knowing that she would enjoy it. After the pandemic started, I decided that
a virtual summer camp would be a good alternative because I knew I would be studying for the
Bar Exam during the summer.

Encore: What expectations did you have about virtual programming before the camp started?

Dasha: This was our first experience with the online camps, and I did not really know what to expect. I just hoped that the camp would be interactive enough, and Sayuri would enjoy participating in it. I was sure that Encore would be able to successfully transition to an online structure, and I was right. Sayuri enjoyed interacting with her new friends and teachers, playing theatre games, and developing new skills.

Encore: What new skills or lessons did your child learn from their time at camp?

Dasha: Sayuri learned how to participate in an online setting, which will be extremely helpful for an upcoming online school year. Also, she learned how to attend online performances (online etiquette). On top of that, she continued developing her acting, singing, and dancing skills.

Encore: Are there any key moments from your student’s virtual camp experience that particularly stand out in your memory (a favorite song they learned, a new friend they made, etc.)?

Dasha: Sayuri enjoyed that Encore camps included some of her favorite musicals. The favorite songs she
learned were “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins and “A Million Dreams” from The
Greatest Showman.

Encore: Any words of advice to future virtual participants/their families?

Dasha: Your child(ren) will enjoy how interactive Encore’s camps/classes are. Encore will provide the structure and support your family needs while attending the virtual camps/classes. During the breaks, I recommend going for a walk outside when possible to get the sunshine/vitamin D. Otherwise, Encore provides plenty of activities for the children to be active (dancing, theatre games, etc.) Also, I recommend setting up a routine: treat a virtual camp the same way you would treat an in-person camp: set up a morning routine and make sure you child(ren) dress comfortably and properly. It will help your child(ren) start their day right and set their mind to enjoy Encore’s fun activities.

Many thanks to Dasha and Sayuri for sharing about their experiences with Encore’s virtual summer camps this year. We can’t wait to see you in our programs again soon! Has this interview piqued your interest? You’re in luck: Encore has three more weeks of virtual summer programming available this year. There’s still time to join in on the fun – we look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

Virtual Summer Camps for August

It’s Elementary (ages 5-9)

August 17-21, 2020 – Laugh Out Loud
August 24-28, 2020 – Around the World in 5 Days
August 31-September 4, 2020 – Under the Sea

Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12)

August 17-21, 2020 – Improv-a-thon
August 24-28, 2020 – Summer Nights Live
August 31 – September 4, 2020 – Movie Mash-Up

Photos by Cindy Kane Photography. Additional photos contributed by Encore participants. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian and Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

5 Ways to Beat Boredom This Summer at Encore

1) Read Up

Looking for something to read during these lazy summer months? Missing the buzz of hearing fellow actors share stories in the rehearsal room? You’re in luck! We have bunches of interviews, advice columns, and more right here on The Front Row blog, dating all the way back to 2012!

2) Log On

This summer’s calendar has gifted us an extra week to create and collaborate together in our virtual camps! We have programs for ages 5-12 running from now until Friday, September 4. Bring your family and friends along for the fun too; the beauty of technology allows us to connect with students everywhere. So far we’ve had students joining us from New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, and beyond!

3) Get Crafty

Did you know that Encore has a Pinterest page full of crafts, recipes, and activities inspired by each show in our production season? Check it out when you’re in need of inspiration for your next art project or trip to the kitchen. Cook a recipe inspired by a show (James and the Giant Peach, anyone?), create a cereal box set, or design a poster for your favorite movie in the style of an Encore poster!

4) Wave Hello

Encore is excited to now offer small, socially-distanced, in-person camps for students in ages 6-11! Click here to learn more about themes and safety procedures. If you’re interested, hurry! Registration is filling up quickly.

5) Put On a Show

Feeling nostalgic? Make your living room your stage and recreate your favorite scene, song, or dance from an Encore show you’ve seen or been in. I’ll personally be jamming to Disney’s Newsies from last summer’s wonderful production; time to dance (when) no one’s watching!

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

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.

5 Benefits of Choosing a Virtual Camp This Summer!

Happy #TechTuesday, Encore fans! Can you believe that it’s already July? It seems like just yesterday that we all packed up our desks at the office, expecting to be working from home for a few weeks at the most…

Luckily, working in theatre has taught our staff and students how to remain flexible and adapt to changing situations (Ever forgotten a line onstage or had something go wrong with a prop?). We’re already well into #EncoreSummer with a broad range of awesome virtual camp offerings. Still on the fence about online programming? Today we’ve got five key reasons why spending your summer at Encore (online) will make this a season to remember.


#1 – Follow a Structured Schedule

Having a set schedule for the weeks ahead will provide your child with structure for growth and a sense of normalcy. At Encore’s Stage Door, for example, there will be ensemble-building in the morning, followed by masterclasses, rehearsal, recording time, and a daily wrap-up in the afternoon.

Looking for a scheduled something for your little one, ages 6 months – 5 years? Be sure to follow up on Facebook to enjoy a new song and movement video from Ms. A, every two weeks throughout the summer. Just can’t wait? Be sure to bookmark the YouTube playlist to relive the fun again and again!

#2 – Take the Opportunity to Build New Skills

Working with our professional teaching artists, students have the opportunity to explore specific theatre skills such as stage combat, dance, vocal work, and improv, all while learning empathy and self-confidence.

#3 – Gain a Sense of Community

Theatre is all about being a team player! Gain a sense of community and teamwork as your student participates with their peers to create art together. All summer programs will conclude with a final sharing or performance. Be sure to invite your family and friends to join us on Zoom!

#4 – Grow through Connections

In a virtual format, your child will gain new perspectives by connecting with students and artists from our community and far beyond. A wealth of possibilities, ideas, and fun in a dynamic atmosphere await!

#5 – Make Memories through a Summer of Fun

Our Education Programs Manager shares that “the definition of what we do as theatre artists is play.” Our virtual camps allow us to safely create theatre with our students and promote the essence of play from home. Join us this summer for a memorable theatrical adventure!

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, Cindy Kane Photography. Additional photos contributed by Tasha Tilock and Kyla McLaughlin. Blog contribution by Aileen Pangan Christian. Edited by Shannon McCarthy.

Don’t “Wait for It” – Our Fave Hamilton Educational Resources

Greetings, Encore fans! If you’re anything like us, the Disney+ premiere of Hamilton: An American Musical has been marked on your calendars for weeks, the anticipation building ever faster with each passing day. To help pass the time before the big day, we’re hosting #EncoreHamiltonWeek as a celebration of this captivating and innovative show that has captured the hearts of so many. Be sure to sign up for our e-mailing list and follow us on social media to ensure that you won’t miss out on any of the fun. We can’t wait to hear your song covers, see your awesome cosplays, and revel in the excitement with you! Today, we’re breaking down three of our favorite Hamilton-related resources to allow you to dive deep into the world of the musical, learn more about the creation of the show, and, perhaps, even flesh out your characterizations when you make your big debut…

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shakespeare, and Hip Hop

Hamilton’s America on PBS

Based around the wonderful documentary that aired on the same network, PBS has crafted a series of entertaining and educational videos for students in Grades 4-12, ranging in topic from hip-hop to Shakespeare, elections to immigration. Whether you’re wanting to dive into the Founding Fathers’ world in preparation for your viewing of the show or aiming to ace your next round of trivia, this is a great place to start.

Rise Up! An American Curriculum

Get creative at home with lessons that delve simultaneously into artistic expression and civic responsibility. The Rise Up! team describes its mission as follows: “Rise Up! uses creative inquiry to explore Hamilton: An American Musical. Lessons help students to understand and critically examine Hamilton themes and artistry, and to express their own personal narrative through writing and performance. If you’ve been searching for a way to start (or continue) the conversation about racial equity and justice in our country, this may prove to be a valuable resource. Our team is certainly excited and intrigued to delve deeper together.

YouTube

In this unusual time where much of life has found itself on a screen of some sort, we’ve found YouTube to be an extremely valuable resource. From socially distant cast-wide reunions to captivating interviews and behind the scenes footage, the rabbit hole of knowledge is seemingly endless. The video above, from The Wall Street Journal, is just one example of the fascinating thought and detail that goes into any Broadway show. We can’t wait to spot these smooth moves during our viewing of Hamilton on Disney+ this weekend!

If you’re ready to “Rise Up” and keep learning “Non-Stop,” there’s still time to join us at virtual summer camps this #EncoreSummer. From Shakespeare to stage combat, choreography to characterization, there is something for everyone who’s heart is captivated by the magic of theatre.

Encore photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

Meet Our Summer Arts Management Intern: Audrey Huie

Welcome back to The Front Row blog, Encore fans! Today we’re excited to introduce the latest addition to the illustrious group that is the Encore interns. Read on to learn more!

Welcome to Encore Stage & Studio! Tell us about yourself and your role at Encore this summer.

Audrey: Hi, I am Audrey Huie! I am currently an Arts Management Intern at Encore Stage & Studio and a rising sophomore at VCU majoring in Communication Arts. I love doing any design or illustration work and for the longest time, I competitively did a Chinese martial art called wushu.

How did you learn about the Encore summer internship and what prompted you to apply?

Audrey: My goal for this summer was to get an internship because I thought that this would be a good opportunity for me to be productive this summer. I also really wanted to learn more about the art business side of the industry since I did not have much experience in this area or any work experience in general. I researched many internships through my many college resources and happened to stumble upon this opportunity. Thankfully I found Encore’s amazing opportunity and here we are today!

Photo Credit: H.Ni

Which part of your internship has you most excited? What kinds of projects will you be working on?

Audrey: Although I have a lot to learn, I love design work so I am most excited to create designs for the web or promotional work. I will be doing a lot of behind the scenes projects while in my time in Encore such as creating flyers for the upcoming plays and updating the website and many more!

An example of Audrey’s design work for Encore so far.

What is the most memorable theatre/arts experience you’ve had in your life?

Audrey: Although I do not consider myself a “theatre person,” I did do Wushu (Chinese martial arts) for the longest time. The most memorable moments I had when doing wushu were making lots of friends no matter what age they were. We were always like one big family, always connected and still staying in touch to this day, even after some left the school. We all grew up together and helped each other in the toughest moments in practice, and I can never forget that.

Photo Credit: Bruce Aboo Yeung

What impact have the visual and/or performing arts had on you as a person?

Audrey: I was a very shy person when I was little; I know I never talked to anyone in kindergarten so performing arts has definitely changed me. I remember going into martial arts class on the first day with my brother and all the students were in high school except for us and two other little kids. As the youngest, I was so scared but as time went on it helped me be a lot more confident in myself, and I was able to gain a lot of close relationships that I cherish to this day.

Why do you think the arts are important to young people?

Audrey: The arts are very important to young people especially because it is how they express themselves first without probably knowing any words. They often cannot find the right words to express how they feel. Kind of like giving your parents a present you drew as a kid. It is also very important for kids to use their imagination so that they can learn about the world, gain experiences in new perspectives, and new challenges as they grow up into a wonderful being.

Photo credit: Tre sa Wong

If you were a social media platform, which one would you be and why?

Audrey: Definitely Instagram. I use it a lot. Not only because it has cool, fun pictures on it and I can connect with my friends, but because there are a lot of different artists out there in the world not just in my local area. Since I know that I am still learning how to draw, I love getting inspired by other artists and even just learning from their techniques on their posts really helps me learn what my dislikes and likes are as an artist and transforming it into my own style that I can hopefully share one day.

Give us a question you wish we’d asked you and, of course, your answer.

Audrey: “Any advice to aspiring artists?”

You will probably hear it many times, but do not give up on what you love to do. Even if you get criticized for something you did, do not let it get to you. Just embrace it; your mistakes and other people’s opinions can help transform you into a beautiful artist. So do not give up, we are cheering right behind you!

Thank you for sharing your stories with us! If you’re ready to pursue your art like Audrey, check out our wealth of awesome virtual summer camps, running now until September 4, 2020. We’ve got programming available for ages 3-18. Our teachers can’t wait to create with you!

Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian and Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Audrey Huie. Edited by Shannon McCarthy.

How Encore’s Adapting: Stage Door/Tech Camp & Center Stage

Welcome back for our final summer adaptation post here on The Front Row blog! As many of us are experiencing personally, Encore too has been faced with many questions and difficulties since we’ve begun working and learning from home. Luckily, theatre brings out the best in us and creates creative problem solvers! We’re happy to share about each of our camp programs and how they will be adapting to the virtual format. Finally, we have Stage Door, Tech Camp, and Center Stage:

Ages 11-15
For Stage Door, we are excited to offer a new virtual experience. This new format will offer actors the opportunity to have more individualized performance moments and to connect with the directors. We will spend the mornings in workshops and playing acting games while the afternoons will be left to rehearse the script and work on the musical. Through a hybrid of live zoom classes and opportunities to work on material at their own piece, the ensemble will act, sing, and dance in order to create a musical in a new virtual experience.

Stage Door/Center Stage Schedule/Time Blocks
Start: 10:00 am EST
End: 4:00 pm EST
10:00 am – 10:30 am WELCOME/INTRODUCTION: Warm-Ups and Announcement/Chat Time & Ice Breaker
10:30 am – 11:00 am BLOCK 1: Activity/ Ensemble Building
11:00 am – 11:30 am Break for water and bathroom/Snack
11:30 am – 12:30 pm BLOCK 2: Activity/Master Class/Rehearsal
12:30 pm – 01:30 pm Lunch/Chill/Free Time
01:30 pm – 02:30 pm BLOCK 3: Rehearsal/ Activity/Recording Time
02:30 pm – 03:00 pm Break for Water/ Bathroom/Snack
03:00 pm – 03:45 pm BLOCK 4: Activity/ Rehearsal/Recording Time
03:45 pm – 03:50 pm Breathing/Meditation/Yoga/Relaxation
03:50 pm – 04:00 pm Reflection/Closing Ritual and Announcements

This summer in tech camp, we’ll be exploring all of the behind-the-scenes elements that go into both a physical and a virtual performance including set, costume, and lighting design as well as video production and editing. We’re excited to bring together the principles of theatrical design with video production to explore the possibilities for virtual theatre with our campers. Campers will gain a variety of skills in design, production, and development and will have opportunities to pursue their areas of interest in service of the final performance.

Tech Camp Schedule/Time Blocks
10:00 am – 10:30 am WELCOME/INTRODUCTION: Warm-Ups and Announcement/Chat time & Ice Breaker
10:30 am – 11:00 am BLOCK 1: Activity
11:00 am – 11:30 am Break for water and bathroom/Snack
11:30 am – 12:30 pm BLOCK 2: Activity
12:30 pm – 01:30 pm Lunch/Chill/Free Time
01:30 pm – 02:30 pm BLOCK 3: Activity
02:30 pm – 02:50 pm Break for Water/Bathroom/Snack
02:50 pm – 03:00 pm Meditation/Relaxation
03:00 pm – 03:45 pm BLOCK 4: Activity/Rehearsal/Recording Time
03:45 pm – 04:00 pm Reflection/Closing Ritual and Announcements

Now that you’ve had a peek at the virtual schedule, check out the teaching team that will be joining us this summer! We’re excited to welcome new and familiar faces to join us for another amazing Encore Summer!

Still have questions about how a virtual theatre camp could work? Please visit our FAQs and enjoy the Q&A session from Encore’s virtual Open House event that took place on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

If you have additional questions regarding summer programming or if you’d like to receive a full recording of the Open House event, please email camp@encorestage.org. Our staff will be happy to reach out and assist you!

Photos by Aileen Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Video editing by Rebecca Pfeil.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

How Encore’s Adapting: Scenes for Tweens (ages 8-12)

We’re back with another informative post here on The Front Row blog! As you saw last week, we’ve begun a series of posts breaking down Encore’s upcoming virtual summer programs. As many of us are experiencing personally, Encore too has been faced with many questions and difficulties since we’ve begun working and learning from home. Luckily, theatre brings out the best in us and creates creative problem solvers! We’re happy to share about each of our camp programs and how they will be adapting to the virtual format. Up next, we have Scenes for Tweens:

Ages 8-12
It’s time to take your interest in theatre to the next level! Join our professional theatre artists to take a deep dive into diverse and fascinating topics. Bust a move in Broadway Bootcamp, battle villains in Tragedy vs. Comedy, or be a part of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This is your chance to focus in on what captivates your attention and makes your creative spirits soar!

Scenes for Tweens strives to provide actors with a space to create the stories they want to tell. With a focus on ensemble building and collaborative storytelling, Scenes for Tweens also helps actors develop vital theatrical skills. We will spend the mornings developing Skills and Ensemble and afternoons developing and rehearsing Content. Scenes for Tweens offers a diverse experience for each actor, allowing time with individual instructors as well as facilitated group development. Make friends; make theatre!

Scenes for Tweens Schedule
Start: 10 AM EST
End: 4 PM EST
10:00 am-10:10 am: Welcome/Group Game
10:10 am-10:20 am: Ice Breaker/Warm-Up
10:30 am-11:15 am: Class Rotation 1
11:15 am-11:30 am: Bathroom/Water/Snack Break
11:30 am-11:45 am: Game
11:45 am-12:30 pm: Class Rotation 2
12:30 pm-01:00 pm: Lunch/Recess
01:00 pm-01:30 pm: Ensemble Building
01:30 pm-02:15 pm: Rehearsal Rotation 1
02:15 pm-02:30 pm: Bathroom/Water/Snack Break
02:30 pm-03:15 pm: Rehearsal Rotation 2
03:15 pm-03:30 pm: Game
03:30 pm-04:00 pm: Share Out Individual Song/Work for Final Sharing

Now that you’ve had a peek at the virtual schedule, check out the teaching team that will be joining us this summer! We’re excited to welcome new and familiar faces to join us for another amazing Encore Summer!

Still have questions about how a virtual theatre camp could work? Please visit our FAQs and enjoy the Q&A session from Encore’s virtual Open House event that took place on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

If you have additional questions regarding summer programming or if you’d like to receive a full recording of the Open House event, please email camp@encorestage.org. Our staff will be happy to reach out and assist you!

Photos by Cindy Kane Photography. Video editing by Rebecca Pfeil. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.