Theatre By Kids, For Kids!
Your school can partner with Encore to provide after-school programs, in-school
creative drama residency and more.
For over 50 years, Encore Stage & Studio has given children throughout northern Virginia an opportunity to grow and discover themselves through theatre: onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience. We bring high quality, age-appropriate theatrical productions to our community and offer an ever-expanding selection of enriching, curriculum-enhancing educational classes, workshops, and summer programs. We believe that participating in live theatre has critically important benefits for young people: it builds teamwork, leadership, creativity, literacy, and problem-solving skills, as well as self-confidence. Encore provides a stage where students can use their creativity to discover their potential.
Our class offerings include topics in acting, movement, music, playwriting, and more. We are also happy to work with you to customize a class based on the interests of your students.
Encore’s VIRTUS certified teaching artists can’t wait to get started. Ask our Education Programs Director for more information.
Contact Madaline Langston at madaline.langston@encorestage.org or call (703) 548-1154.
Encore Enrichment Class Catalog
These funny and delightful tales explain the “why” of things. Such as why spiders are bald, why the moon is in the sky, and why the turtle has a hard shell. Sometimes funny, sometimes worrisome and sometimes philosophical, these tales have a wisdom and humor to which all children respond. Children will develop acting skills while creating colorful, exaggerated, and wacky animal characters.
Time-Honored Children’s Classics (recommended for Grades K-1)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate ability to use voice, body, imagination, and ensemble work
Hear and act out stories that will literally “hop” off the page! Using classics such as Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, Aesop’s Fables and Winnie-The-Pooh, students will engage with the material to learn acting techniques and storytelling skills.
Fantastic Voyage (recommended for Grades K-1 or 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate storytelling abilities and ensemble work
Each week, travel to places unknown in this fantasy fairytale themed class. Live like a King or Queen, slay dragons, break magic spells, sail the seven seas, blast off to the moon, and live happily ever after as you and your classmates act out riveting classic stories as an ensemble.
Under the Sea (recommended for Grades K-1)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate storytelling and movement skills
Set sail on a creative journey! In this playful class, we’ll use our bodies, voices, and imaginations to bring our favorite undersea stories to life and create original scenes involving our favorite sea creatures. If you’re a fan of The Rainbow Fish, The Little Mermaid, or other aquatic tales, this class is a great way to begin your acting career!
Wild Things (recommended for Grades K-1)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate ability to use voice, body, imagination, and ensemble work
Where are the Wild Things? Right here with Encore Stage & Studio! Monsters, creatures, animals, and aliens are all welcome in this imaginative drama class for young performers. Using the classic Maurice Sendak book as inspiration, students will explore a familiar story and then gain the confidence to create their own wild vision. This class is a great way to stretch the imagination and build confidence on the stage.
Broadway Kids (recommended for Grades K-1 or 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate rhythm, choreography, and storytelling
Explore the magic of movement for musicals in this fun and interactive dance class! Students will enjoy discovering new songs, rhythms, and steps as they learn creative choreography. This class may be repeated throughout the year, as each session focuses on different dances.
Disney Dance (recommended for Grades K-1 or 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate rhythm, movement, and storytelling
Get ready for a Whole New World as we dance to Disney classics and brand-new hits! From The Lion King to The Little Mermaid and The Beauty and the Beast, we invite you
to “Be Our Guest” as we learn rhythm and movement through your favorite tunes and tales as old as time!
Each week, travel to places unknown in this fantasy fairytale themed class. Live like a King or Queen, slay dragons, break magic spells, sail the seven seas, blast off to the moon, and live happily ever after as you and your classmates act out riveting classic stories as an ensemble.
Broadway Kids (recommended for Grades K-1 or 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate rhythm, choreography, and storytelling
Explore the magic of movement for musicals in this fun and interactive dance class! Students will enjoy discovering new songs, rhythms, and steps as they learn creative choreography. This class may be repeated throughout the year, as each session focuses on different dances.
Disney Dance (recommended for Grades K-1 or 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate rhythm, movement, and storytelling
Get ready for a Whole New World as we dance to Disney classics and brand-new hits! From The Lion King to The Little Mermaid and The Beauty and the Beast, we invite you
to “Be Our Guest” as we learn rhythm and movement through your favorite tunes and tales as old as time!
Knock, Knock, Who’s There…? (recommended for Grades 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate comedic timing
Jokes are a great way to make people laugh, but get a group of people doing a skit or short scene and you can bring the house down. In this class you’ll explore different
types of humor and work as a team. This class may be repeated.
Fairytale Fun (recommended for Grades 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate storytelling skills and ensemble work
Every great fairytale begins with “Once upon a time” or does it? This magical fairytale-themed class is filled with majestic imagination creativity. Does Sleeping Beauty really go to sleep? How do fairies learn to fly? Who is truly the beauty; is it the beast? Join us as we create our own Fairytale Fun.
Snow Queen Stories (recommended for Grades 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate storytelling skills and ensemble
Delve into the magical world of Hans Christian Andersen with this inspiring class. To develop our acting and storytelling skills, we’ll use Andersen’s classic tales as well as recent adaptations like Frozen to create imaginative performances. Come prepared to use your imagination and to let your inhibitions go!
The Mighty Heroes (recommended for Grades 2-3)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate imagination, storytelling, and choreographed movement
Countless heroes exist and walk among us. In this class, it’s your job to bring them to life. Create your own hero. Can you imagine being the neighbor next door who turns into a mighty hero when people are in need? Make daring rescues, prevent dastardly plots, and thwart your enemies with your super strength, speed, and intelligence in this headline-worthy class.
Always wanted to try acting? Already been in a play and eager to learn more? This engaging acting class is great for new actors and experienced performers alike, and focuses on helping students to build an ensemble, work as a team, and hone their performance skills. Throughout the course of each session, students will be encouraged to explore a variety of theatrical styles, including scripted drama and scene work, improv, comedy, and more. Bring your sense of adventure!
Mythical Legends (recommended for Grades 4-5/6)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate storytelling through exploration of characters, plot, and ensemble work
Explore the fascinating tales of Greek and Roman mythology as you travel over 2,000 years into the past with Encore. Bring gods and goddesses to life, interact with otherworldly villains, and do your best to outwit the Fates in this exciting class. Students will use their voices, bodies, and imaginations to breathe new life into classic tales via acting, music, and movement.
Make ‘em Laugh (recommended for Grades 4-5/6)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate physical awareness and comedic timing
This acting class is accented with humor! Students will learn the basics of acting in comedies and creating funny characters. Explore different styles of comedic humor, rhythm, and jokes. Choose funny scripts or stories and create scenes together as you develop the craft of “making them laugh!” This class may be repeated.
No Fear Shakespeare (recommended for Grades 4-5/6-8)
Learning Objectives: Show complexity of characters through use of language
Give classical theatre a try as you learn to interpret and perform works by one of the world’s greatest playwrights. Engage in battles of wit, visit courtrooms and forests, and discover timeless themes as you work with your classmates. Beginners and experienced students are welcome!
The Magic of Musicals (recommended for Grades 4-5/6-8)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate song interpretation and confidence
Eager to learn a beautiful ballad or high-energy showstopper? Explore your favorite musicals and discover new shows in this high-energy class. Learn to interpret a song and dazzle your audience as you build confidence in your performance skills. This class may be repeated, as we’ll focus on new songs and scenes each session.
Character Creativity (recommended for Grades 4-5/ 6-8)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate character-driven choices and show objectives and obstacles
Are you an astronaut lost in space trying to get rescued? Or a magical wizard on a brand-new journey to a new land? You will decide your character and their fate in this class all about bringing to life the characters in your imagination.
Always wanted to try acting? Already been in a play and eager to learn more? This engaging acting class is great for new actors and experienced performers alike, and focuses on helping students to build an ensemble, work as a team, and hone their performance skills. Throughout the course of each session, students will be encouraged to explore a variety of theatrical styles, including scripted drama and scene work, improv, comedy, and more. Bring your sense of adventure!
Mythical Legends (recommended for Grades 4-5/6)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate storytelling through exploration of characters, plot, and ensemble work
Explore the fascinating tales of Greek and Roman mythology as you travel over 2,000 years into the past with Encore. Bring gods and goddesses to life, interact with otherworldly villains, and do your best to outwit the Fates in this exciting class. Students will use their voices, bodies, and imaginations to breathe new life into classic tales via acting, music, and movement.
Make ‘em Laugh (recommended for Grades 4-5/6)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate physical awareness and comedic timing
This acting class is accented with humor! Students will learn the basics of acting in comedies and creating funny characters. Explore different styles of comedic humor, rhythm, and jokes. Choose funny scripts or stories and create scenes together as you develop the craft of “making them laugh!” This class may be repeated.
No Fear Shakespeare (recommended for Grades 4-5/6-8)
Learning Objectives: Show complexity of characters through use of language
Give classical theatre a try as you learn to interpret and perform works by one of the world’s greatest playwrights. Engage in battles of wit, visit courtrooms and forests, and discover timeless themes as you work with your classmates. Beginners and experienced students are welcome!
The Magic of Musicals (recommended for Grades 4-5/6-8)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate song interpretation and confidence
Eager to learn a beautiful ballad or high-energy showstopper? Explore your favorite musicals and discover new shows in this high-energy class. Learn to interpret a song and dazzle your audience as you build confidence in your performance skills. This class may be repeated, as we’ll focus on new songs and scenes each session.
Character Creativity (recommended for Grades 4-5/ 6-8)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate character-driven choices and show objectives and obstacles
Are you an astronaut lost in space trying to get rescued? Or a magical wizard on a brand-new journey to a new land? You will decide your character and their fate in this class all about bringing to life the characters in your imagination.
Ten Minute Play in Ten Weeks (recommended for Grades 6-8)
Learning Objectives: Demonstrate acting skills, blocking, and analyzing a script
Want to know what it is like to work as a director? Encore will provide the scripts, you provide the talent and we will have you rehearsing a scripted play with a director in just ten weeks. Learn how to memorize, analyze and block a script. Invite your family and friends to see you perform at the end of the ten weeks.
Treasure Island (2019) at Ashlawn Elementary School
Always wanted to produce a play or musical at your school? Need more support for your current school play? Bring Encore Stage & Studio’s professional directors and theatre know-how to your next school production! Encore will work with you to customize a one-of-a-kind production experience for your students.
• Abingdon Elementary
• Arlington Science Focus
• Ashlawn Elementary
• Bailey’s Elementary
• Basis Independent McLean
• Belvedere Elementary
• Campbell Elementary
• Charles Barrett Elementary
• Claremont Elementary
• Clermont Elementary
• Discovery Elementary
• Douglas MacArthur Elementary
• George Mason Elementary
• Georgetown Day School
• Immanuel Christian
• John Adams Elementary
• Kate Barrett Elementary
• Laurel Ridge Elementary
• Meridian Homeschool Club
• Mount Vernon Community
• Nottingham Elementary
• Oakridge Elementary
• Patrick Henry Elementary
• Potomac School
• Samuel Tucker Elementary
• St. Agnes School
• St. Ann Catholic
• Taylor Elementary
• Thomas Jefferson Elementary
• Tuckahoe Elementary
• Wolftrap Elementary
5 Life Skills Children Cultivate in the Performing Arts
#1 – Empathy
Theatre allows children to imagine themselves, however briefly, in the story of someone oftentimes very different from them. This act helps young people relate to others and to value differences in experience, opinion, and circumstances.
#2 – Confidence
Creative spaces offer children a place to take big risks and fail safely. This helps kids grow confidence in their abilities and ideas, both in the classroom and out in the world.
#3 – Teamwork
Theatre is most definitely a team sport. Drama classes help children develop effective and kind communication methods by cultivating positive working relationships: between actors in a scene, between actor and director, between director and creative team, and more!
#4 – Creative Problem Solving
Theatre enrichment sets the stage for imagination and creative problem solving. Students ask, “How can we create a castle or a spaceship here in our classroom?” They achieve their goals by working and learning together.
#5 – Leadership
Theatre transforms students into leaders. When challenges arise, students use their collection of skills to keep the show moving forward. Students learn how to empower their peers and be positive role models onstage and off!
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Encore Stage & Studio is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Arlington Cultural Affairs Division of Arlington Economic Development and the Arlington Commission for the Arts. Graphic designs by Aileen Pangan Christian, Aimee Pangan and Gemma Roberts. Website Contributors: Aileen Pangan Christian, Sara Duke, Shannon McCarthy, Connie Polnow, Brian Hernandez, and Cristina Gasch Doyle. Photos credits: Larry McClemons, Cindy Kane Photography, Clarence Chan Photography, Aileen Pangan Christian, and additional contributors. · RSS Feed · Log in