Meet Encore 2016 Senior: Nicole Redifer

Encore: What motivated you to first get involved with Encore?
Nicole: Many of my friends were auditioning for shows and were in shows at Encore, so I decided to give it a shot!

Encore: What was your first experience with Encore like?
Nicole: I remember one of the first things I did with Encore was a workshop where a girl, who I am now very close friends with, and I pretended to be spies and talked to each other on our spy phones- which was actually our feet. We always bring up what a silly moment that was.

Encore: What roles have you performed on cast with Encore? Which was your favorite to play, and why?
Nicole: I have played a Wolf in Dracula, Owl in Hansel and Gretel, Harlequin Doll in The Velveteen Rabbit, Jack in Jack and the Magic Beans, a Munchkin and Flying Monkey in the Wizard of Oz, and Jennifer and Narrator 3 in Darius the Dragon and Rap-Punzel. My favorite roles to play would probably have to be Jack and a Flying Monkey, but for very different reasons. As Jack, I got to experience life as a young boy and go through a journey I had never gone through every night. As a Flying Monkey, I got to play and act however I wanted, expand on my character as much as I wanted, which I think has influenced my acting to this day.

Encore: Have you worked on crew with Encore? If so, what was your favorite position on crew, and why was it your favorite?
Nicole My favorite position on crew was doing Sound for Charlotte’s Webb, as I got to see the show every night and be a part of it without performing in it. Although it could be very stressful at times, I felt like an important part of the show and had lots of fun doing it.

Encore: Can you describe your favorite experience with Encore (What role or production, and why was it your favorite)?
Nicole: My favorite experience with Encore was probably Jack and the Magic Beans as Jack. I met so many new people, and I have nothing but love for that production. Every night was a fairy tale journey that I never would have been able to experience otherwise.

Encore: What are your plans after graduation?
Nicole: I am incredibly excited to go James Madison University next year to study Theatre!

Encore: How do you plan to use what you’ve learned through Encore or theater in general after graduation?
Nicole: I plan to use what I’ve done with Encore in college while studying Theatre, but I also hope to continue to try new things, which is something I helped learn at Encore!

Encore: Do you have any advice for this year’s rising seniors at Encore?
Nicole: Try not to stress out too much about college. Yes, you need to get good grades and do a good application, but as long as you try you will end up in a place you love.

Encore: If you had to use an emoticon to describe your experience with Encore, what would it be and why?
Nicole: I would use the emoticon that is smiling while sticking its tongue out. Encore has been a wonderful experience for me, hence the smile, and I have made so many amazing friends and learned so much as an artist, which is the silliness of the tongue.

Photo by Larry McClemons