With Daylight Savings in effect and the blush of cherry blossoms starting to bloom, springtime is here and, with it, the passage of another month. Let’s take this time to look back on some of the moments that made March so special and exciting here at Encore.
1) Right on Target
The month began, ironically, with an end. The closing weekend of Robin Hood saw many enthusiastic patrons, as well as several joyful Encore reunions. The closing performance welcomed over 300 patrons into Sherwood Forest for an adventure full of elegant sword fights, cheerful dances, and live on-stage archery. Huzzah!
Ready to channel your own inner hero or dastardly villain? Join us for our spring session of theatre classes, featuring titles such as Classic Villains, Tall Tales, Clowning Around, and more! Classes begin Saturday, April 27th, so don’t delay!
2) Banding Together
Our holiday mini-camp and play in a day participants also got to channel the classic tale of Robin Hood on March 8th. Our campers worked together to create scenes based on the traditional story, encouraged to put their own twist on things, sometimes through song, humor, or, in one case, a particularly dramatic battle sequence.
Ready to try your hand at creative and collaborative storytelling? Join us for one (or all!) of our Spring Break Camps. Enrollment is a la carte; enroll for select days to fit your schedule or the entire week:
Public School Dates and Themes
Private School Dates and Themes
3) The Power of Community
On March 11th, Encore partnered with Embracing Arlington Arts to host an advocacy meeting for local arts groups and supporters. Over 100 people attended to discuss the proposed cuts to facilities and funding for arts organizations in Arlington County. Many shared their stories, as well as creative and meaningful ways to help spread the word and urge the County Board to disapprove the proposed budget cuts. Missed the meeting? Click here for a full recap of the #ARLSaveOurStage meeting.
Join us on Tuesday, April 2nd for a Celebration of the Arts, followed by the County Board’s FY2020 Budget Hearing. Take this chance to make your voices heard and share the power of the arts with our community, as well as with members of the County Board.
4) Robin Gets Moving
The cast of Robin Hood happily reunited to present scenes and battle sequences as part of the annual Move Me Festival. It was wonderful to share this beloved production with the local community and to interact with other local arts groups.
5) Appreciating Heroes
Long-time Encore fans know that our staff loves a theme day. This month’s theme was particularly apt, given that it’s Women’s History Month: Superheroes! Our awesome hero-inspired outfits gave us the chance to consider the real-life heroes in our own lives (and office spaces). Check out what our staff had to share about working in a largely female-driven organization:
6) “X” Marks the Spot
Today is performance day for Encore’s school residency at Ashlawn Elementary. For the last few months, Encore teaching artists have been directing students in a production of the pirate classic Treasure Island, originally written for Encore by Matt Heap in 2016. We wish them much success and a happy opening. Break a (peg) leg!
7) Talents Galore!
This month Encore held auditions for the world premiere of The Talented Clementine. 97 students came out for cast, with 29 participants interviewing for crew. Our enthusiastic cast’s rehearsals are now underway and we can’t wait to see the final production!
We hope you’ve enjoyed these highlights from March. Enjoy this trip around the maypole and we’ll see you again next month!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Alana Gibson, and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
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