[Updated 6/5 to include honorees at June 4 event and new photo.]
A record crowd attended the annual Encore Stage & Studio fund-raising breakfast, which highlighted the past season and spotlighted the troupe’s efforts reaching out to under-served communities.
Recognized at the event was historian and civic leader Dr. Alfred Taylor, who had provided support to students in advance of the troupe’s early-spring production of “From Nauck to Green Valley,” the story of one of Arlington’s historically African-American communities.
Local high-school student John Monaco shared his experiences participating in the program, while Encore’s program director, Madaline Langston, echoed the remarks and thanked others for serving on advisory panels for the “Flip the Script” initiative that aims to shine a spotlight on moments in Arlington’s past.
The May 24 breakfast event began with a rendition of “Be Our Guest” by Encore students, including Riley Dennis, who performed as Lumiere in Encore’s January production of “Disney’s Beauty & the Beast Jr.”
Two graduating high-school seniors – Aidan Pritchard of Washington-Liberty High School and Matthew Bloss-Baum of Meridian High School – narrated a skit comprised of many students who had participated in Encore programs. There also was a performance featuring young actors from Encore’s fall-2023 production of “Treasure Island,” along with a preview of the upcoming performance of “Freaky Friday.”
During the program, board of directors president Cassandra Hanley announced that the organization has been approved for a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, the fund-raising breakfast – held at Washington Golf & Country Club – attracted the most sponsors in its history, executive director Sara Duke said.
Encore announced its 2023-24 production season on June 4, and also bestowed its annual Celeste Groves Award on longtime supporter Jim Clancy.
Clancy’s volunteer service to the organization ranges from the scene shop and set-building, to providing stage-combat instruction, to service on the board of directors.
Also saluted on June 4 were the troupe’s 2023 STAR Award winners, honored for participating in at least eight Encore productions split between on stage, technical crew and front-of-house crew.
STAR recipients and other student volunteers “really bring all of the life to our organization – it’s very impressive all the hard work they put in,” Duke said.
“They’re modeling professional behavior, learning to be leaders,” added Madaline Langston, Encore’s programs director.
STAR recipients for 2023 are Erik Fagerstrom, Jacob Fridman, Henry Gould, Samantha Grooms, Reagan Holland, Kira Kettler, Aidan Pritchard, Juli Walitt and Gabby Wilson.
Encore Stage & Studio traces its roots back to 1967 as Arlington’s Children’s Theatre.
