Meet 2017/2018 Arts Apprentice, A.K. Nell

We’re so thrilled to introduce you to a new face on Encore’s campus. Her name is A.K. Nell and she is Encore’s 2017-2018 Arts Apprentice.

A.K, tell us a little bit about yourself.
A.K.: I’m so excited to join the Encore team and share my passion for creating and inspiring art! I will be around as the Arts Apprentice for the ‘17-’18 season and hopefully as a member of Encore’s Family for life!

I’ve been a part of the performing arts world for as long as I can remember. From singing in choir, to playing in orchestra, to putting on puppet shows in the kitchen, I found my niche at an early age. When I was six, I was cast in my first onstage role as “Molly” in Annie. From that point on, I was hooked! I auditioned and took part in as many shows as I could; it even became pretty typical that my schedule could included rehearsals, load in, performances, and strike for more than 1 show at a time. And I loved every second of it.

While I started out as an onstage performer, I found a great fascination for the backstage world as I entered high school. Working at different theatres around the DMV, I was able to experience all sides of production from acting and singing onstage to running light and sound boards, building sets, calling shows, teaching stage combat, and directing. I continued to develop a love for the inner workings of theatre production and gained a new interest in sharing theatre with others. I followed these passions to Allentown, PA where I studied Directing for Theatre and Psychology at Muhlenberg College, earning a BA and graduating in May of 2016.
At Muhlenberg, I was granted some really amazing opportunities and worked alongside some of the best instructors and artists in the business. As I became more and more interested in the exchanging and collaborating of ideas in theatre, I developed a great joy in sharing that with other people. I was given the opportunity of working on a student-written, documentary-style piece about many of the identity issues that young people struggle with growing up. I worked with my team, both cast and crew, to create a devised theatre piece opening up a conversation with audiences about these sensitive topics. This greatly enhanced my interest in working with youth and using theatre as a way to create community and connect ourselves with the world around us.

As my interest in working with young people grew, I eagerly accepted a job and followed my passion to Paris, France where I spent my first year after college working as an au pair for a family with four young children (aging from 6 months to 8 years old). My experience in Paris gave me a new perspective on working with kids and opened me up to the exciting and innovative ways that kids of different kinds come together to play and create. It was exhilarating to be in a new place but still feel so connected through the concept of play, pretend, and imagination. It’s the same in every language.

What do you do as the Arts Apprentice at Encore? What are you enjoying most about Encore Stage & Studio?
A.K.: At Encore, I have a wide range of jobs and responsibilities. I get to work in the office where I answer phone calls, help with projects, coordinate workshops, and see how a professional children’s theatre is run from the inside-out. This has been really exciting for me to get to see and take part in the other side of the arts world that, as a performer, I was not very aware of. There is so much that goes into running a professional theatre aside from the performers onstage or even production team. There are a whole slew of people in the background who work to ensure that our goals as a company are being met.

Already in my time here, I have gotten to work hands-on in the theatre and with the kids. On Mondays and Fridays I get the great opportunity of giving back to the community by providing education fun childcare for families while they get their groceries.

I’ve also had a lot of fun creating activity guides that we have put in the show programs and handed out at out Theatre for the Very Young performances. I have enjoyed creating something both fun and educational to share with our families and students to enhance and extend their experience of the show.

I’ve been able to work a lot with the children in Encore’s camps, classes, and afterschool programs. I’ve really loved getting to work with kids in all the different environments and communities to introduce them to theatre and bring structured play into their experience. It’s really been incredible to be “thrown in” since day one. I feel like already in my short time here I have become part of the team and have been entrusted with carrying around the Encore name with me wherever I go. And that is something I am very proud of.

What are you looking forward to for the rest of the season?
A.K.: I am very excited to have the opportunity of directing our in-school program the spring. I think it will be an amazing opportunity to go into a school setting and bring theatre to the students there who might not otherwise have the chance to experience it. I love working with kids of all ages and experience, so I am very much looking forward to working with those students to put on a really great show, that they can call their own!
I am also looking forward to working with more and more members of the Encore Family as the season continues. Everyone involved from the students in class, to parent volunteers, up to the members of our board, everyone at Encore has been so kind to me and made me feel welcome and a part of the family from the very start. I can’t wait to continue working with everyone and sharing the love and commitment to creating theatre by kids, for kids!

Some fun facts: Do you have any hobbies or special interests apart from theatre?
A.K.: When I’m not around the theatre, I really enjoy spending time outside and reading. As my second major was Psychology, I have been interested in reading about behavioral psychology and psych of the mind. When I returned from France, I joined the Northern Virginia women’s rugby team since I had played in college and was looking for a way to get active again.

I can’t wait to see what comes next!