- It was a sunny and vibrant day for Encore Stage & Studio on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, as our organization celebrated 48 years of “Theatre by Kids, Theatre for Kids” at our fifth annual Sunny Side Benefit Breakfast. The breakfast was held at the Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington, VA. Over 135 guests attended the benefit breakfast, our largest and well-attended breakfast event to date. Among the guests this year included Virginia Senator Barbara Favola, Outreach Representative from the offices of Senator Mark Warner Anh Phan, and Arlington Arts Commissioner Wanda Baez.
“It’s a great way to start off your day by showing support for outstanding children’s theatre!” stated Executive Director Sara Duke.
We kicked off the breakfast with a guest appearance of the White Rabbit (Maggie Keane), announcing the start of the breakfast program. Ashby Rushing, a member of Encore’s Board of Directors, introduced our participant speakers, Carla Astudillo, Thomas Boudreaux, and Paddy Clancy. Carla Astudillo shared “Encore’s greatest asset, in my opinion, is the way that they genuinely and organically see something special in every single person who walks through their doors. They find what makes each student sparkle, and do everything they can to continue the growth of this spark.”
Performances included a musical number from Encore’s “Cinderella” with Malena Davis and Zoe Rocchio, a short scene from “Much Ado About Nothing” with Caleb Dunham, Kennedy Cawley, Henry Hubbard and Annie Wood.
Board President, Jerry Gidner shared his Encore journey and highlighted Encore’s recently published strategic plan to chart the next five years for Encore’s success and growth. Last year, Encore touched the lives of over 14,500 children and their families, including the organization’s record-breaking attendance of 4,432 patrons at “The Little Mermaid” in January 2014. This year, Encore Stage & Studio continues to grow its programs with additional educational and production opportunities such as a new Shakespeare production and expanding their spring break and summer camp programs. Encore Stage & Studio honored Laury Sendek as the 2015 Celeste Groves Award recipient for outstanding volunteer.
Lastly, Encore participants (Adelina Hartley, Taryn Green, Grace Koppelman and Xander Tilock) shared the Top 10 Reasons to Donate to Encore:
Number 10: Encore is growing to serve more kids! We added a sixth production this year, Bard in the Box, which you saw a scene from earlier today. 8,715 kids and their families have seen an Encore production so far this season – that’s a lot of concessions during intermission! We plan to add a seventh show next season. Your donation will allow more kids to participate!
Number 9: We’ve added new education programs and expanded existing ones to engage more kids! Just three years ago our mini-camp program started with 19 students it’s now grown to over 500 students this season. We’ve also added a session to our Stage Door summer conservatory program – and it’s sold out! This would not be possible without donors like you!
Number 8: Students engaged in theater score high on tests The CollegeBoard reports that students who have been part of a play or musical score, on average, 91 points higher than the overall mean SAT score.
Number 7: Encore’s productions are accessible to kids of all abilities! Since last spring, we have been hosting accessibility matinees that include sign language interpretation, braille programs, and a special sensory-friendly backstage tour. We’ve been working closely with Arlington’s special education department to make this happen. Three students with low-vision even participated in camp last summer!
Number 6: Encore gives back to the community. Encore has donated over 750 tickets to non-profits and schools this year alone. We are on track to give out more than $12,000 in scholarships and we have great partnerships with the Nauck Community Services Center and many other great organizations.
Number 5: Creativity is a career skill. Did you know that 72% of business leaders say creativity is the number one skill they seek when hiring?
Number 4: Production quality. We’re constantly updating our productions with new equipment and technology – remember the great special effects you’ve seen this year? Or the impressive stage combat? We have an awesome production team that works with kids backstage on technical theatre. Encore wants students to have the most professional and exciting experience as possible!
Number 3: Participating in live theatre has critically important benefits for young people. Students have learned teamwork, leadership, creativity, literacy, and problem-solving skills, as well as self-confidence through our programs. Encore provides a stage where students like me can use our creativity to discover our potential.
Number 2: Encore has been an important member of the arts community since 1967. We are preparing to celebrate our 50th anniversary – that’s fifty years of “theatre by kids, for kids!”
All together our participants shared the number one reason to give to Encore…
Grace: “Because when I win a Tony award…”
Adelina: “Because when I win an Oscar…”
Xander: “Because when I win a Grammy…”
Taryn: “Because when I win the Nobel Prize…”
“You’ll want me to remember you in my acceptance speech, right?” Seriously, your donation today will make a world of difference to our organization.
Click here to check out our breakfast featured on the Arlington Sun Gazette.
Thank you to our speakers, performers, volunteers and guests for making this event a success! Thank you to our Board of Directors and staff for your dedication and hard work!
Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan.