Our Top 7 Funniest Camps of Summer 2021!
April is National Humor Month and we’re highlighting our funniest camps this summer has to offer!
All of our camps are full of fun and laughter. These camps will sure to make you laugh til your hearts’ content!
# 1 – Scooby Doo Mysteries for Ages 5-9
What would you do for a Scooby snack? Come along with Shaggy and the rest of the gang to solve the mystery and apprehend the villain. This camp calls for lots of teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. You’ll hear the villain say, “I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids and your dog!”
# 2 – Tales of the Wild, Wild West for Ages 5-9
Calling all cowpoke! Come join us for a week of tall tales and folklore around the campfire. We will explore the open range and honor Native American storytelling. Campers are encouraged to dress in their finest country western attire; ten-gallon hats welcome. Of course, there will be socially distanced line dancing, so prepare to move. Yee-haw!
#3 – Improv-a-thon for Ages 8-12
Are you ready for hilarity, silliness, and a whole new style of theatre? Yes, and? The fun doesn’t stop during this week-long improvised comedy intensive. Develop characters, set the scene, and write your own story…all on the spot. Whether you’re completely new to improv or a seasoned comedy lover, every camp comes to life in brand new ways!
#4 – Twelfth Night for Ages 8-12
Explore acting opposites of tragedy and comedy and decide for yourself which will reign supreme! Actors will delve into the extremes of both comedic and dramatic acting styles as well as the skills needed for both. Culminating in a performance of scripted scenes, students can embrace both their inner clown and tragedian.
#5 – Big Bad the Musical for Ages 11-15
A courtroom has never been more lively and fun than in The Big Bad Musical! The jury — your audience — must decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairy-tale world! The notorious Big Bad Wolf is being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by storybooks of quirky characters who want to get even: Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs, and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. With Sydney Grimm as the commentator on live Court TV, the two greatest legal minds in the Enchanted Forest — the Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother — clash in a trial that will be remembered forever after. As our wronged fairy tale characters testify, the wolf seems deserving of all that’s coming. Yet, even though the infamous Evil Stepmother resents doing pro-bono work on such an obviously futile defense, Mr. Wolf makes a good case for himself. Was he born a criminal, or made one? 
#6 – Complaint Department & Lemonade for Ages 11-15
People will complain about anything — not almost anything, but absolutely anything! In this rapid succession of hysterical grievances, the complaint department takes on everything from Oreo icing to kleptomania and from songs stuck in the head to the price of cheese and on and on and on. Could there be a glimmer of hope for anyone in charge of a complaint department?
#7 – Comic Book Artist for Ages 11-15
Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz wants nothing more than to become a comic book artist. When he gets a job as a janitor at Wonder Comics, he anxiously awaits the day that his boss, D.C. Wunderman, will notice his drawings and discover his artistic genius. It seems like that day will never come until Wunderman invests in a shipment of magical pens, guaranteed to bring to life any character his artists create. When the staff artists unwittingly unleash the dreaded Doctor Shock Clock, it is up to Stanley to create his own team of superheroes. Will they have the superpowers to conquer this dastardly super-villain, who can stop time with the snap of his fingers? Only time will tell! Doctor Shock Clock is off to where else but Times Square to pull off the greatest heist of all time. Watch as the egotistical Star Guy and his “Charisma Ray,” Triple Time with his super fast speed, environmentally correct Blossom with her magical sleeping potion flowers, and the slightly grouchy but goodhearted Wombat Woman combine their special powers to try to stop the dastardly deed! Your audiences will cheer and laugh out loud when the superheroes battle Shock Clock and his henchmen, the Minutos, only to be saved in the end by the greatest superhero of them all — Eraser Man (a.k.a. Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz)!
Enroll online today for your most hilarious summer ever!
Graphic designs by Aileen Pangan Christian. Photos by Cindy Kane Photography and Connie Polnow.
Coming Soon: Voyager’s Compass | July 10 @ St. Thomas Cathedral Parking Lot
Encore Cares Production: Voyager’s Compass
Enjoy a quest unlike any other! Join eccentric creatures on their epic mission to explore the seven skies and find their way home. Drive from scene to scene to meet each character and take part in this special homeward bound adventure. Audience members will remain masked and in their vehicles for the duration of the show.
6 Musical Theatre Camps You’re Gonna Love!
Move, groove, and sing your heart out this summer with our musical theatre camps! Here are our 7 musical theatre focused camps you’re gonna love!
#1 – Fun with the Backyardigans for Ages 3-5
Join Encore for a fun filled morning based on the popular kids show, The Backyardigans. Each day your child will go on an adventure using their imagination, discovering different musical sounds and movements from many countries and musical genres.
This camp is currently sold out. Please e-mail info@encorestage.org to join the waitlist.
#2 – Broadway Kids: Disney for Ages 5-9
Broadway Kids was so popular that we brought it back again for you to enjoy this summer! Be Our Guest as we Step in Time to Disney songs you know and love. Don’t Let It Go because we’re going to show you A Whole New World!
#3 – Broadway Kids: Classics for Ages 5-9
Broadway Kids was so popular that we brought it back again for you to enjoy this summer! Be Our Guest as we Step in Time to Disney songs you know and love. Don’t Let It Go because we’re going to show you A Whole New World!
#4 – Broadway Bootcamp for Ages 8-12
Ready to work toward your personal greatest show? Let your musical theatre skills reach their peak during this training. Geared toward musical theatre lovers and newbies alike, this ensemble atmosphere will build dance and acting skills. Start on your path toward triple-threat status and learn all about what it takes to make it on Broadway.
#5 – Stage Door’s Rainbow Fish the Musical for Ages 11-15
These “denizens of the deep” admire the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in all the ocean. But when Rainbow Fish refuses to share his vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores him anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus. Octopus helps the young fish learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.
#6 – Stage Door’s Big Bad the Musical for Ages 11-15
A courtroom has never been more lively and fun than in The Big Bad Musical! The jury — your audience — must decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairy-tale world! The notorious Big Bad Wolf is being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by storybooks of quirky characters who want to get even: Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs, and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. With Sydney Grimm as the commentator on live Court TV, the two greatest legal minds in the Enchanted Forest — the Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother — clash in a trial that will be remembered forever after. As our wronged fairy tale characters testify, the wolf seems deserving of all that’s coming. Yet, even though the infamous Evil Stepmother resents doing pro-bono work on such an obviously futile defense, Mr. Wolf makes a good case for himself. Was he born a criminal, or made one?
Enroll online today for your summer musical adventure!
Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!
We cannot wait to be back together again onstage! Summer camp registration is now open. We are currently planning for a fully in-person summer camp season. Scholarships are available for all camp programs. Contact camp@encorestage.org. See Encore’s policies page for detailed information on refund requests, late pick up and other camp related policies. All camp titles, dates, times, formats and locations are subject to change.
In-Person Camp for Grades K-5: Let’s Get Moving Mondays | May
Join Encore on Mondays for our popular in-person, outdoor series Let’s Get Moving – Mind, Body and Imagination. 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!
Dates: Mondays, May 3, 10, 17 and 24
Times: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Encore @ Cherrydale UMC (3701 Lorcom Lane Arlington, VA)
Price: $220
NEW! Encore Masks On Sale | Single and Two-Packs
Stay safe with Encore’s new masks! Masks are 100% cotton antimicrobial reusable. Face masks are black with the Encore logo. Purchase one mask for $8 or two masks for $14 on our website. Additional fee for shipping.
Encore Stage & Studio Summer 2021 Update
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.
Summer camp registration will open on Monday, March 1, 2021. 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, April 17 at 10am via zoom. Register here. We will share our exciting summer plans and we want to understand your questions and concerns.
Please email camp@encorestage.org with any questions or for further information. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing your student at camp this summer!
NEW! Musical Theatre Online Workshop for Grades 4-5 | Feb. 15
Welcome to the world of Musical Theatre, enjoy discovering the magic in this fun, interactive workshop!
“Come with me to the Emerald City,” on March 6th for two glorious hours of fine-tuning your vocal instrument. Make some space in your place. Learn the music and beginning choreography of ONE SHORT DAY from the musical, WICKED. “The Wizard will see you now”!
Participants will receive a secure Zoom link via email the day before our event.
Encore Students perform in Arlington County’s Virtual MLK Tribute
We are so excited to partner with Arlington County for its annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! The tribute will be held on Sunday, January 17 at 5 p.m online including performances, music, and spoken word by Encore students.
NEW Virtual Winter Classes for Grades K-12!
Our winter just got better! Virtual classes are available for grades K-12 starting January 18. Classes include the Magic of Musicals Online, Actor’s Tool Box, Genre Film Enrichment, and more. Join our professional teaching artists and connect with your peers for creativity, imagination, and skill building.