Meet Encore 2016 Senior: Shannon Redifer

Encore: What motivated you to first get involved with Encore?
Shannon: My sister, Nicole, was in Dracula and I loved seeing her onstage. I knew then that I wanted to be onstage with her and be part of that experience.

Encore: What was your first experience with Encore like?
Shannon: The first play I did with Encore was Hansel and Gretel and it was such a memorable show to be a part of. I got to be in a show with my sister and other friends from my school. However, I also met so many new people that I didn’t know before. Although I haven’t seen members of that cast in years, I still feel like I have a bond with them.

Encore: What roles have you performed on cast with Encore? Which was your favorite to play, and why?
Shannon: I really liked playing Charlene in The Brothers Grimm. I got to play a stage manager, which was pretty funny considering I was actually an actor. I also got to hold a crow puppet and yell “CAW CAW” across the stage.

Encore: Have you worked on crew with Encore? If so, what was your favorite position on crew, and why was it your favorite?
Shannon: The first ever show I did crew for was Summer Show Wizard of Oz. I never applied to join crew, but on opening night I came in to do spotlights to help the crew in a pinch. It was crazy going in not knowing anything on opening night, but so fun being thrown in and definitely worth it.

Encore: What are your plans after graduation?
Shannon: I will be attending The College of William & Mary.

Encore: How do you plan to use what you’ve learned through Encore or theater in general after graduation?
Shannon: What I will take away most from Encore and theatre is the personal growth I have gone through because of it. Because of theatre I believe I am overall a happier and more confident person. I have also learned about the importance of every person within an ensemble. No one is unimportant.

Encore: Do you have any advice for this year’s rising seniors at Encore?
Shannon: Enjoy all the moments because you only get to be a senior once.

Encore: If you had to use an emoticon to describe your experience with Encore, what would it be and why?
Shannon: The dancing red dress lady; because of all the fond memories of pre-show dance parties, especially dancing to Sandstorm.

Photos by Larry McClemons