Encore’s Dancing Princess | Meet “The 12 Dancing Princesses” Director, Sarah Conrad

In celebration of opening night of The 12 Dancing Princesses next weekend, we’re thrilled to share another fairytale story. No, it’s a not a story about a Prince rescuing a damsel in distress. It’s about a young dancer working hard show after show, setting a great example and making her way to the top as director. Here with us is Encore’s dancing princess: Sarah Conrad.

Sarah Conrad has been involved with Encore since 2005. She loves performing, dancing, acting, and singing, so is thrilled to be directing The 12 Dancing Princesses; a show that combines many of her passions.

Encore: In your own words can you briefly summarize the story of The 12 Dancing Princesses?

Sarah: The story of The 12 Dancing Princesses is your typical princess story with a twist – there are 12 princesses who go out dancing every night but the King, their father, does not know where they go as they never leave their room. In order to discover their secret dancing whereabouts he posts a request for heroes to come solve the mystery in exchange for the hand of one of his daughters in marriage. The story has mystery, comedy, magic, dancing, sword fighting, and of course an unexpected plot twist to tie it all together!

Encore: Can you describe how rehearsals are going for the production?

Sarah: Rehearsals are going quite well! It is a very entertaining script which brings humor to both the acting and the rehearsing processes. I have a wonderful cast to work with that is full of energy and very excited to make this story come to life.

Encore: The play includes mystery and royalty, can you share some of your favorite mystery or fairytale stories?

Sarah: Some of my favorite fairy tale stories would be The Little Mermaid and Thumbelina – I know it is a throw back but that was one that I loved as a child – apparently you could find me singing Thumbelina songs on a swing set in my back yard when we lived on a military base in Indiana backed up to a lake so my voice echoed for all the base to hear.

Encore: What do you enjoy most about theater and dancing?

Sarah: I love the opportunity to get to express myself through my acting, dancing, and singing! Being able to become another character and bring that character to life is such wonderful feeling – something that I will never tire of. Dancing has always been a passion of mine; since I could first walk I was dancing everywhere. I think what I love about dancing most is the chance to express my feelings through dance, using my body language and movement to become one with the music. It is such a beautiful art that is expressive in such a different way than most other things we find in life, a type of expression that impacts both the dancer and the viewer.

Encore: What other Encore productions have you been involved with?

Sarah: I have been involved with Encore since I was 15 years old. I started off performing with Encore over the summers in Seussical the Musical, Godspell, High School Musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, Beauty and the Beast, Anything Goes, The Wizard of Oz, and Legally Blonde. Once I graduated from college I began working production side choreographing, tech directing, and directing performances. I choreographed Pirates of Penzance for Encore over the summer and have choreographed Honk, Jr. and The Little Mermaid Jr. for Encore’s in season productions. I was the technical director for Sleeping Beauty and assistant technical director for Sherlock Holmes. I assistant directed Legally Blonde and The Little Mermaid, Jr. in addition to performing/choreographing those. I am very excited to have my directing debut with 12 Dancing Princesses!!

Encore: How has Encore impacted your life beyond the stage?

Sarah: Encore has impacted my life beyond the stage in a variety of ways. Performance is such a powerful thing that teaches you so many things – confidence, composure, expression, stage presence, and public speaking to name a few. It definitely helped to build my confidence in my abilities and skills which has helped me both professionally as well as personally. It is such a wonderful compliment to have performed for so many years with Encore and then be asked back to choreograph and direct with the Encore productions!

Encore: What keeps you coming back to be involved with Encore?

Sarah: Encore has become like a family for me, a place with people that I can learn from and teach who care about me and my success. It is a wonderful community that I am happy to be involved with. My continual involvement with Encore is something that comes naturally for me, it allows me to pursue my passion of dance and performance in addition to my career of teaching (as I am the Preschool Director and Teacher at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington).

Encore: What can our audience expect when they come to see the show?

Sarah: They can expect to see a classic story put to a funny script complete with comedic characters in addition to princes and princesses. Be ready to laugh and cheer for your favorite character in the epic sword fight at the end!

Encore: For families new to the theatre, what advice what you give to them as an audience member?

Sarah: Put away your phone for the hour or two that you are with us in the theater and let the actors and actresses take you away to another world; a world of adventure, love, dancing, sword fights, and comedy; a world where you can become part of the story and connect with the characters on stage. Be ready to laugh, maybe cry, smile, and enjoy yourself!

Thanks Sarah for taking the time to share your Encore experience! Click here to buy your tickets to The 12 Dancing Princesses today! This show runs May 30-June 8 at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre.

Sarah has been involved in the following productions: