Hello Encore Family!  My name is Erin Driscoll Gardiner and I was involved in several shows at Encore. Now, I am a full time professor of Musical Theater at George Mason University and a professional actress in the DC area. I have worked at a ton of the professional theaters in town from Signature Theater to the Kennedy Center to Round House Theater. I have been a member of the Actor’s Equity Association for 20 years now. I just recently played Mrs. Cratchit at Ford’s Theater production of A Christmas Carol.

From starring as Maria in West Side Story to being a professional hire for Pirates of Penzance, you have had so many Encore experiences! Do you have any fun or funny offstage memories from your time here?

I am sure there are so many that I just don’t remember because each show I have done with Encore has been a blast. 

What skill or word of wisdom did you take away from working with Encore?

I learned SO much! I basically learned how to act at Encore. I was a good singer when I joined the cast of West Side Story but I was pushed to connect to the material in a way no one had asked me yet. Then when I played Eliza Dolittle, I really had to let go of being the pretty ingenue and commit to getting messy and real with the character. It is something I continue to strive for in my work today.

Why do you think theatre is important for young people?

For some, it it the first time they are working towards a larger goal that is bigger than the themselves. You all have to come together and the show is the thing. Not ego, not friendship drama, not anything. You learn to work with people, you learn to lean on people, you learn how much goes into something…all the hours of work and commitment. You also get the joy of seeing it all come to fruition. You learn how to treat people and basically be a person in a functioning society.

What is one way your theater experience has helped you offstage?

I am not afraid to try. I am not afraid to fail. I can look at the big picture and see how do I help it happen. Oh, sorry, you asked for just one and that is too hard to pick!

We love highlighting Encore friendships, is there anyone you keep in contact with from your days at Encore?

Yes several! This is one of my favorite things to talk about with Encore. I am still friends with many of the people I worked with on shows. One of them was in my wedding party! Friends for life!

What’s your favorite play or musical as an audience member?

Oh, that is hard too! I love ensemble shows. I love when the ensemble is integrated into the story all along and helps tell it, even it means singing and moving furniture while they do it. Like how the ensemble works in Waitress, is really inspiring for me.

Encore’s season this year is about courage — how can we learn courage through theatre?

To do theater is courageous! To audition and be brave enough to show your talents….to stand on a stage or work behind knowing an whole audience is watching is brave. To commit to a common goal and work hard to see it come together is all about courage. To tell stories because they need to be shared is courage. Theater is courage.

Lastly — we’re having an Encore alumni reunion in July at Footloose, will you be there!?

I will try to be there! I am always trying to support and be apart of Encore any way I can! If I can’t, tell them that they are the best and I continue to shout that from the rooftops!

Thank you for catching up with us, Erin! We look forward to seeing what you do next.

Photos by Larry McClemons, blog contribution by Parker Nelson.

The post Not Afraid to Try with Alum Erin Driscoll Gardiner appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

Briefly reintroduce yourself to us. How were you involved with Encore?

My name is Lauren Maho (she/her) and I worked with Encore in several capacities. I started out as a camper at Stage Door, then became a counselor at Scenes for Tweens and Stage Door. I also have acted and worked backstage in a few seasonal productions. 

What was your favorite role or experience at Encore?

I would say my favorite experience was coming back to Stage Door year after year. Specifically, singing Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr in 2016 was my turning point and I began to consider singing and acting as a career. 

What skill or word of wisdom did you take away from working with Encore?

One summer at Stage Door, I remember hearing that casting a production is like putting together puzzle pieces.  When entering a creative space (or any space, really), your abilities have to fit together with the other people in the room to create a vision. It has really helped when dealing with rejection or not getting the results I hoped for.

Where are you now and what are you up to?

I am currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University earning my B.M. in Vocal Performance. At the time when I am writing this, I have finished applying to graduate school to pursue opera performance and am waiting for my results! 

We love highlighting Encore friendships, is there anyone you keep in contact with from your days at Encore?

I think the lasting friendships you make in theater are a huge reason I kept coming back to Encore. I had a reunion dinner last week with my friends Matthew Bloss-Baum, Jane Gerrard, Ella McHugh, and Kiernan Almand – most of whom I met doing The Little Mermaid Jr! 

What is one way your theater experience has helped you offstage?

Going back to those words of wisdom, I have carried that “life is a puzzle piece” sentiment outside of theater. I think that idea has helped me be able to zoom out and see the bigger picture in rehearsal settings, as well as on a day-to-day basis. 

What’s your favorite play or musical as an audience member?

I think my all-time favorite musical is Into The Woods. I love singing in the show, but I love seeing different interpretations of the score, costumes, and set design.

This Encore season is about courage — what courageous experiences and lessons can we learn in the arts?

I have been told time and time again in music school that the more you perform and put yourself out there, the easier and less nerve-wracking it becomes. I have become very comfortable on stage as I have been in several productions throughout my time at Encore and VCU. I also think of the stage as a safe space, since there are no mirrors or ways to receive immediate feedback (besides the audience). That mindset has made it easier to take risks and be courageous. 

Lastly — we’re having an Encore alumni reunion in July at Footloose, will you be there!? Or can you share a message from you to share at the event?

It’s on my calendar, but here’s a message if I cannot be there: My time at Encore was the catalyst for being a performer, but it also gave me valuable life skills and lifelong friends. Do not underestimate the power of the arts, especially on young people, whether or not they enter performance careers. 

Many thanks to Lauren Maho for catching up with us during this busy time of year! We look forward to seeing where you go next, and we wish you luck on your graduate school journey!

Photos by McNair Evans, Nick Seitz, and Aileen Christian. Blog contribution by Parker Nelson.

The post Putting Together Puzzle Pieces with Alum Lauren Maho appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

It is also used for break times! When actors are released for a five minute break, the stage manager will often call “take five,” and the expected response is “thank you, five!” It’s an easy way to communicate directions and establish accountability that the actors will be back by the end of their break and ready to rehearse again. 

But what’s the point? Why is this call and response so common in theater spaces? Well, it is more than just an effective tool to communicate. Having an expected response that all actors know and use helps to build a sense of community within the cast and crew. That’s what is so important about being an ensemble; you are all working together toward a common goal, and saying “thank you” helps to show that you are all on the same team! 

It also gives respect to the stage manager or directing team for the work they are doing to lead a cast. Just as saying “please” and “thank you” is respectful in other situations, we say “thank you” in the theater to acknowledge the responsibilities of our teachers and leaders.

Encore would also like to say “thank you” to all of you who have supported us this month with Giving Tuesday and our generous matches! You all make it possible for us to offer theatre by kids, for kids here in Arlington. Thank you for coming to see The Lion King Jr. and Jingle Bell Jam. Thank you for attending holiday mini camps. Thank you for your support behind the scenes. Thank you for driving your students to classes and rehearsals. It has been a great year of theatre here at Encore, and we look forward to what 2025 holds for us!

Already planning your New Year? You can register for winter classes or buy tickets to The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Flip the Script today!

Photos by Larry McClemons and Cindy Kane. Blog contribution by Parker Nelson

The post Thank you, places! appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

You may have seen this familiar face in the previous summers on stage including Freaky Friday and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We’re so excited for her return to Encore for another amazing summer! Get to know our 2024 arts management intern and Encore summer show alum, Alex Beach!

We’re so glad to have you back! Please tell us about yourself!
Hi there! My name is Alex Beach and I am thrilled to be working as an Arts Management Intern for Encore this summer! I grew up in Annandale, Virginia where I have lived my whole life. I am 21 years old and am currently a rising senior at Long Island University where I am studying Arts Management. In my free time, I love to make my own music, paint, and go to the gym. In the future I would love to work full time doing marketing or finance for a music/theater company while also creating my own music on the side. 

What made your decision to apply for the Encore internship? 
As an Arts Management major, I was particularly excited to gain experience working in the field I hope to pursue after graduation. I have really enjoyed working on shows with Encore in the past, so when I saw the internship posting on Encore’s website, I knew I had to apply. During my time with Encore, I’ve met wonderful people and made lifelong memories. I was so impressed by the talent and professionalism of the young performers and crew members, as well as the kindness and attentiveness of all the staff. It made the decision to apply an easy one! 

What shows have you participated with Encore before and please tell us all about it!
I have participated in Encore productions the past two summers while home from college. During the summer of 2022, I was in the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was a collaboration between 3 local theater companies: Encore, Arlington Players, and Avant Barde. This was my first time ever working with Encore, and from the start I knew I wanted to work with them again. 

Last summer I was in the cast of Freaky Friday as a part of Savannah’s Clique. I absolutely loved working with this cast, especially my friends in Savannah’s Clique: Natalie Garcia-Ruiz, Juliette Kane, and Drew Wright. Because I go to college in New York, summers can sometimes feel a little lonely, but the cast and crew of Freaky Friday provided me with a wonderful support system and lifelong friendships for which I am eternally grateful. 

What skills are you looking forward to learning during your time at Encore this summer? 
I am so excited for the opportunity to work under wonderful mentors and learn what it takes for a non-profit theater company to operate smoothly from an administrative standpoint. My first experience on crew for a production gave me a newfound appreciation for all the effort that crew members put into making a show the best it can be, and I know the same will be true about the management positions. Everything from box office operations to fundraising and development is crucial and advantageous in this industry. I’m especially looking forward to improving my skills in website design and learning about managing finances for a non-profit organization.

Can you describe your favorite theatre/performing arts experience and what made it so memorable? 
My favorite role that I have ever played was Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Scwartzy) in my high school’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Not only is this show memorable on its own for its comedy and quirky characters, but the tight-knit cast made it a particularly special experience for me. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was actually my last show that I would perform at Falls Church High School due to the pandemic in 2020. Although I had been in many theatrical productions before, playing Schwartzy was the first time that I truly fell in love with a character, flaws and all. Schwarty is brilliant, funny, and spunky. She is strong willed, confident, and is not afraid to speak her mind – qualities that I admire and strive to embody in my own life. 

What’s your favorite play or musical as an audience member? 
My favorite show I’ve ever seen is Once on This Island on Broadway! Perhaps the most unique aspect of the musical was its staging in the round, with sand covering the entire stage and real water representing the sea. Elements of the set were incorporated all throughout the theater, making the experience incredibly immersive, as if there was no separation between the actor’s world and the audience’s. I was blown away by the talent of the performers, including big names such as Hailey Kilgore, Alex Newell, and Lea Salonga. Beyond the incredibly talented performers and outstanding set design, Once On This Island tells a beautiful story. Ti Moune, a peasant girl, is saved from a terrible storm by the gods to settle their debate; Is love stronger than death? The heart-wrenching tale explores themes of faith, hope, prejudice, love, and death. 

Why do you think performing arts are important for young people?
A brilliant theater teacher once told me that if he could have any superpower in the world, he would choose the power of perspective – the ability to see any situation from someone else’s point of view and understand why people make the choices they do or are the way they are. He explained that theatre is the key to achieving this superpower. This sentiment has stuck with me because it has made me see the performing arts as the transformative experience they truly are. 

Participation in the performing arts is so important for young people, especially, because it encourages them to develop compassion for others and practice empathy. Theatre challenges performers to understand and embody characters that may be vastly different from themselves without judgment or inhibitions. Furthermore, the performing arts provide a form of self expression that allow young people to learn about themselves and the world around them in a creative and collaborative way. 

What is your dream character role or dream production to work on and why?
My #1 dream role is definitely Elle Woods in Legally Blonde! Not only is this role absolutely iconic, but the score is so catchy, and Elle’s songs are some of my favorites to sing. Her journey from a seemingly superficial sorority girl to a successful Harvard Law student breaks stereotypes and demonstrates that true strength comes from being resilient and unapologetically yourself. I would be honored to play this role some day! 

Another role I’d love to take on is Rusty in Footloose! My passion for the musical started back in 8th grade when I was chosen to perform the solo for “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” at a musical theatre summer camp. That experience made me fall in love with the show. I’d be thrilled to revisit the role of Rusty within the full context of the production, as she’s such a vibrant and confident character. 

What theme day should Encore have at the office?
I would love to see Encore have a “dream role” theme day at the office! Since we are all lovers of theater, it would be fun to learn about Encore employees’ favorite shows or characters they would like to play some day. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? 
I just want to give a shout-out to my supervisor, Aileen Christian, and to my co-intern, Matthew Bloss-Baum, for being the best team I could ever ask for! I appreciate both of you and feel so lucky to work with you both this summer!

Photos courtesy of Alex Beach.

The post Meet 2024 Arts Management Intern & Encore Alum Alex Beach appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

We’ve got an exciting summer coming your way and we’re thrilled to introduce you to our summer team! You’ve seen him in Encore’s past Stage Doors and season productions on cast and crew, meet one of our newest 2024 Arts Management Interns, Matthew Bloss-Baum!

Welcome back to Encore! Please introduce yourself to those who are new here and let us know what you are up to now:  

Hello!  My name is Matthew Bloss-Baum and I am currently a rising sophomore at Fordham University in New York City.  I am a communications major with a double minor in Film /TV and Political Science.  At school, I am very involved in the arts.  I am in an A Cappella group that I am also on the E-Board for and I am very involved in our main stage theatre club which does four productions a year.  This year I was on the cast for three and did costumes for the last one!

What years and programs/productions (and roles) were you involved in Encore?

During my time participating in Encore, I was a part of almost 30 productions.  I was doing shows from the second I could, I started when I was just 10 years old and did productions until I was a junior in high school.  Some of my favorites were Snow White, The Little Mermaid Jr., and Newsies!  I always enjoyed the musicals the most because my favorite was being able to joke around and sing with my friends!

What career or latest projects are you working on right now? What is your latest role at Encore? 

A big project that I am working on right now is building my TikTok page.  Over the past few years, I have had the best time making content and short videos about all of my interests online and have been really taking off recently.  TikTok has given me the opportunity to work with brands that I love and make content for them!  It is a really great creative outlet for me and cannot wait to continue making content.

This summer I am currently back at Encore as the Arts Management intern.  It is truly a wonderful full circle moment to know I am coming back to a place that feels like home to me and be on the other side of things and can be a role model to the new age of Encore kids.  While I am interning at Encore, I am also interning at another theatre in Washington, DC.  So you could say I have a busy summer ahead of me, but I could not be more excited to be working in the arts every day.

What Encore experiences or moment(s) were most memorable for you and why?
The most memorable experiences for me at Encore were the friendships I made through doing the productions.  Encore created a space that made everyone want to bond so much by bringing us together through making art.  I made so many lifelong friends through doing shows with Encore and could not be more grateful.  

What skills or lessons did you take away from your time at Encore?

What I gained so many skills through my time at Encore.  When Encore says “By Kids, For Kids”, nothing could be more true.  I learned how to sing, dance, act, build a set, make costumes, market a show, work with customers, and so much more.  Encore really set me up to work in theatre in any capacity and am constantly using the skills I learned here at college.

Were there any friendships or people who resonated with you at Encore?

I have made so many friends through Encore and met so many amazing people.  I met one of my best friends in the entire world through Encore, Hannah Knittig.  We met doing my first Encore show together all the way back in 2014 and ever since then have been best friends.  Even though we are not running around in fairytale costumes anymore and are adults living far from each other we are still so close because of the bond Encore built for us. 

Any words and wishes to share with students interested in trying out theatre? 

My biggest piece of advice for someone thinking about trying out theatre is to do your best to take all the different opportunities you can and put yourself out there because you won’t regret it.  There are so many different aspects to theatre that are more than just acting, including set building, sewing, crafts, education, marketing, and the list just goes on.  The theatre community is so special and I think there is a place for everyone in it.  So, if you have any inkling to get involved DO IT, it will be the best decision you will ever make for yourself.  

How has theatre and Encore impacted your life? 

Encore and theatre more than just impacted my life, it has made my life what it is.  Encore provided me with learning that the arts are my greatest passion.  Theatre has given me the relationships, confidence, and skills that make me the person I am today.  I know for a fact I will be working in the arts industry for the rest of my life and I have Encore to thank for that.  

Speaking of impact, we have an announcement! This summer we’re delighted to introduce the Encore Alumni group: The Encore Impact. Join us as we relive the Encore memories, rewind to the start of our journey, and learn how to give back to our Encore family!

Photo credit: Larry McClemons, Cindy Kane Photography, Aileen Pangan Christian | Other Photos Courtesy of Matthew Bloss-Baum

The post Meet 2024 Arts Management Intern Matthew Bloss-Baum appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

The answer: Flip the Script. Through site visits, presentations by historians, and personal research, a group of young people, under the direction of Madaline Langston, spent the summer and early fall learning more about the desegregation of public schools in Virginia; this story began to shape their narrative into a show titled “The Day Nothing Happened.” Today on The Front Row, we’re honored and excited to welcome a parent of one our of Flip students to share her observations on the experience:

A Parent’s Reflections on
“The Day Nothing Happened”
and
“Tribute to the Life and Legacy Dr. Martin Luther King”
by Claudine Bostick Sangaré
[View a selection of this essay in ARLNow’s Progressive Voice column]

After a successful first-time run of “The Day Nothing Happened” [in November], the Flip the Script cast, including my daughter Yahney-Marie Sangaré (who portrayed the character “Green”), was invited to perform select scenes of the play at a tribute honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA. As a 54-year-old mixed-race, black, self-proclaimed progressive who skipped school in the ’80s to attend a march in Washington, D.C. to advocate for Martin Luther King’s birthday to be recognized as a national holiday, one would expect that I’d be thrilled, right? Well, to the contrary, I privately dreaded having to endure what felt like the redundancy of yet another performance about the Civil Rights movement that I had seen and heard countless times before and had long ago taught my child. I couldn’t help but think, “Here we go again with the only narrative repeatedly being told about the black experience (along with slavery). Isn’t there more to us as a people than our history of enslavement and the Civil Rights era?”

Upon further consideration, I reflected on the powerful and emotional impact I had recently witnessed from audience members at Flip the Script’s performances and Q&A sessions: an elderly black man, visibly moved and crying during the show; a middle-aged Latina woman’s shock at learning Stratford Middle School, located in her “backyard,” was the first school to desegregate in the state of Virginia; a young white boy’s curiosity regarding why he was not taught this history at his local Arlington County school; one of the white actors reflecting on how this experience taught them about their own biases; and my 14-year-old daughter’s responses to questions drawing parallels to her character’s experiences and her current school environment.

It was then that it dawned on me–since Yahney-Marie’s involvement with Flip the Script, my young teenage child is actually “talking the walk” of an experienced elder of the Civil Rights movement. She had to become emotionally attached to the history to channel feelings of angst, anxiety, and fear to portray her character – one of four teenagers about to enter an all-white school for the first time in Virginia history.

Not only has my daughter’s life been enriched by her involvement in the Flip the Script production, but she is having active and ongoing conversations about it at school, during cheer practice, on social media, and in other environments, spreading the message of equal rights and justice and influencing her peers to do the same. The experience has a life and is having a ripple effect beyond the theatre performance that is opening a whole new dialogue among young people in her circles. This realization changed the initial feeling of dread I had about the MLK performance to guilt as I reckoned with the shallowness of my reluctance and came to terms with the fact that, somehow, my life experiences desensitized and numbed me to the importance and monumental significance of telling and retelling the story of an individual who lived and died fighting for our Civil Rights. Humbled, I said a prayer of thanks as my daughter accepted the invitation with my full blessings to participate in the Martin Luther King Day tribute.

After all, I was 15-years-old on that cold, wet winter day on January 15th, 1981 (just one year older than Yahney-Marie) when the foundation of my social justice advocacy was lit on fire as I marched for hours in the snow alongside Stevie Wonder, Jessie Jackson, Gil Scott Heron, and other Civil Rights activists to advocate for Dr. King’s birthday to be recognized as a national holiday. I was inspired by the speakers’ stories of their fight for freedom and equality over the years and the speeches calling for action against the continuing struggles that were before us. There was absolutely nothing redundant about it then nor is there anything redundant about it now. Although we have made tremendous strides, we continue to find ourselves battling for the same issues today (equal rights, access to housing, employment, schools, etc.) that we battled for back then. We must never forget from whence we come and recognize, respect, and always remember, with pride, the people who paved the path before us so we can reach and teach others and further build on our future.

Fast forward to the performance day of the “Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” I rocked the most ethnic outfit and accessories I could find in my wardrobe and entered the doors of the theatre with my head held high, a smile on my face feeling extreme pride knowing my child is part of a production that holds countless possibilities of planting a new seed in someone’s mind; changing someone’s life, perspective and vision with the words and voices of everyone onstage, stronger together than when spoken independently. Pride in knowing that every time the Flip the Script cast put on this production, they were part of a mission to create a world that Dr. King envisioned in his dream. As I walked down the aisles searching for my seat, feeling free and grateful to sit anywhere I desired, I stopped and giggled at how cliché it all seemed to observe the diversity of the audience—so many different races, cultures, backgrounds all gathered in this one place to witness yet another play about Civil Rights, but this time I’m humbled and thankful and can’t help but think and feel: “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud!” as we are all gathered in this space bearing witness to Martin Luther King’s dream and inspiring a whole new audience of people to keep it alive. Asé!

Encore Stage & Studio is proud to share that Flip the Script has been invited to perform “The Day Nothing Happened” on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 (tomorrow!) at 6 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Jordan Wells, and Deb Kolt. Additional research photo contributed by the Rogers family. Blog contribution by Claudine Bostick Sangaré. Edited by Shannon McCarthy.

The post Flip the Script: A Parent’s Perspective appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

How the CFC Works for Donors:

1. Choose your cause: Encore’s CFC number is 69654. Did you know that you can select multiple charities to benefit from your contributions? You can share the love all around this holiday season.
2. Make a pledge: federal employees or retirees can make their CFC pledges either online or using a paper form. Donors can choose a payroll deduction, a one-time donation, or recurring monthly pledge via a credit card, debit card, or direct bank transfer.
3. Celebrate the season: That’s it, you’re done! With such an easy process, you now have even more time to spend with your family, friends, and community.

Your Impact:

Your donation through the CFC will touch all aspects of Encore’s work, but to name just a few…

Ticketing software, ready to help you online or in person at the box office
Heavy-duty tools, helping our Crewtons assemble the awesome sets you see onstage
Entertaining productions that show the magic of “Theatre by kids, for kids!”

Costume changes, like Elsa’s epic switch in Frozen Jr.‘s “Let It Go”
Outstanding camp aides that make summer happen (Look for 2020 applications in December!)
Materials for Encore’s twice-weekly HPI classes
Baby play actors who bring to life our Theatre for the Very Young productions
Inspiring alumni stories powered by a foundation in theatre
New works of theatre, such as last season’s world-premiere musical, The Talented Clementine
Emma Emails – bringing you beautiful Encore newsletters on a weekly basis. (Sign up here!)
Directors and production staff that guide our young actors through the best possible show experience

Flip the Script guest artists, who helped our students bring new voices and stories to light
Educational experiences for students as young as 6 months up through high school and beyond
Direct mailings that bring news of Encore’s latest and greatest straight to your door
Engaging guest performers who allow our summer campers to experience works from local artists
Rent for Encore’s office space on Lorcom Lane and scene shop space at Gunston Middle School
Ads to spread the word about our wonderful productions and classes
Laptops for new employees as we expand our staff to better serve our community

Concessions, because who doesn’t love a sweet treat during intermission?
AAAA Storage Unit, where Encore’s wealth of props, sets, and costume pieces live when not shining onstage
Music tracks for this season’s wonderful musicals, Disney’s Frozen Jr, Narnia, and West Side Story
Partnerships like Project Extra Step that allow APS students to attend Encore’s programs at a reduced rate
Apprentice power! This year, we expanded our Apprentice program for recent grads to 3 rad participants
Incredible arts and craft supplies for prop-making and storytelling at Spring Break Camp
Goldfish for snack at the 10+ Holiday Mini-Camps Encore will host this season
Next-level teaching artists that bring the joy of theatre to classrooms and rehearsals rooms all across the DC area

Your contribution through the Combined Federal Campaign can help make an impact in the lives of young people in our region by allowing them to experience theatre onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience for decades to come.

Not a federal employee, but interested in supporting Encore’s mission of “Theatre by kids, for kids”? Join our Giving Tuesday team, fundraise on Encore’s behalf, and make a contribution on Tuesday, December 3rd for Giving Tuesday!

Photos by Jordan Wells, Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, and Cindy Kane Photography. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy, with additional content by Aileen Pangan Christian.

The post The CFC: Giving by the Letter appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

1) Take Encore to Dinner
Join us at 4520 Lee Highway in Arlington on Tuesday, November 12th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for our 2019 Chipotle fundraiser! Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds of your purchase will be donated to Encore Stage & Studio. You’ll feel great, heading to rehearsal with a stomach full of delicious food and a heart full of love for “Theatre by kids, for kids.”

2) Give Us a Ride
If you have a vehicle or used electronics that you’d like taken off your hands, CauseNetwork will accept your donations and benefit Encore along the way. CauseNetwork will handle the pick-up, evaluation, and resale of your items, donating any profits back to Encore. You get to head into the holidays with a nice clean home (or driveway), knowing that you’ve helped spread the magic of theatre to new children through Encore’s numerous classes, camps, and outreach programs.

3) Put a Smile On Our Faces
For the early birds that are aiming to get their holiday shopping completed this month, be sure to shop through Amazon Smile. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice – Encore Stage & Studio, of course! Get those holiday deals and maybe even a little something extra from Encore’s Amazon wishlist…

4) CF-See If Your Employer Will Join You
The Combined Federal Campaign is a wonderful way to encourage charitable giving in the workplace. “The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing Federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.” Encourage your coworkers and community members to explore Encore’s wealth of programming to make holiday memories and find their best fit.

5) Join the Encore Family
We are always happy to welcome new students, participants, families, and volunteers. Do you have a specialized skill that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear about it! Please email info@encorestage.org to share about your talent/skillset and we’ll be in touch. In the past, family members have donated photography, sound design, delicious treats, and more!

6) Take a Trip to the Theatre
Did you know that you can donate to Encore when you purchase tickets? When purchasing online, you can opt for a ticket add-on donation of any amount of your choosing. It’s quick, easy, and paired with a wonderful theatre experience for you and your whole family.

7) Join the Movement
Every year, thousands of people from over 150 countries come together to honor their favorite non-profit organizations during the rush and hustle of the holiday season. Giving Tuesday is a fantastic way to share your love of “Theatre by kids, for kids” with your family, friends, and local community. This year, as one of 2019’s #OneOfTheBest non-profits, Encore will be participating in Giving Tuesday through the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington.

This year’s platform puts the power of fundraising in your hands. As a member of our family, you can start a fundraiser on Encore’s behalf through GiveLikeALocal. Create a page, join our team, set a fundraising goal, then tell your story! Share why Encore is important to you, your favorite memories, the impact of participating in theatre has had on your life, and more. This is your chance to share your Encore story. We can’t wait to hear all that you have to say, so mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019.

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

The post Season of Giving Resource Guide appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.

Welcoming Friends
ICYMI: Encore has welcomed three new friends to our office staff this past month (+ the lovely Gloria this August!). You’ll be seeing a lot of them, so please head over and get to know them:

Patrick McGee, Education Programs Manager

Kyla McLaughlin, 2019/2020 Production Apprentice

Jordan Wells, 2019/2020 Education Apprentice

Speaking of lovely faces…did you see Madaline Langston, Encore’s Education Programs Director, in her own Arlington Magazine interview?

Selling Tickets
When we saw the positive response to our upcoming Frozen Princess Ball, we got chills…of joy! We cannot wait to celebrate this wonderful production with so many of our dear Encore friends. Get your tickets today – we promise not to finish your sandwiches.

Speaking of tickets – did you realize that single tickets for CSI: Christmas Scene Investigators have been released? This holiday production will be running at Gunston Arts Center’s Theatre Two, which is a delightful black box space. Black boxes mean more intimate performances and, therefore, fewer seats, so be sure to get your tickets before they’re gone!

Getting Prepared
Our fall education season officially began on September 23rd with two Monday evening classes specially designed for our older acting students, Supernatural Shakespeare and Broadway Musicals. Our Monday evening series of Education offerings are ideal options for actors that are constantly seeking to improve their craft and, in doing so, their hopes of being cast in fully staged productions.

Are you feeling prepared? Come out to auditions for Encore’s next two productions, Narnia and CSI: Christmas Scene Investigators, October 22 and 23, between 5-7 PM. Visit our Auditions page for more detailed information by clicking here.

Building Community
Last month, our three new apprentices had the opportunity to join Executive Director Sara Duke at a community event for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). This event gathered local non-profits to share more about their organizations with federal employees, who are encouraged to give back and support non-profits by the CFC’s matching program: “The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.”

Are you interested in learning more about Encore’s history, programming, and mission? Please visit the link below to learn more about how your donations help to support “Theatre by kids, for kids” in the DC Metro area.

Opening House
We were delighted to welcome a number of new students and families to our first-ever Fall Open House event. It was a wonderful opportunity to share who we are as an organization and what it’s like to experience an Encore class. Saturday Fall classes begin this week, on Saturday, October 5, so now is the time to get registered, if you haven’t already!

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Cindy Kane Photography. Additional photos provided by staff.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

The post September Highlights to Get You Jumping for Joy appeared first on Encore Stage & Studio.