Encore Stage & Studio Inc

Founded in 1967, Encore Stage & Studio's mission is to build life-long appreciation for live theater by involving young people in all aspects of theater arts --onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience. Encore achieves this through two primary venues: high quality, developmentally appropriate theatrical productions that are by and for young people, and enriching, curriculum-enhancing educational classes and workshops. We believe that participating in live theatre builds problem-solving skills, teamwork, creativity, literacy, and self-confidence. Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of active and engaged leaders and art lovers.

 

Encore provides students with an opportunity to participate in theatrical productions outside of school with a diverse group of students from across our region at no charge. Throughout our 45 year history, we have staged 177 fully-realized productions. We are unique in offering participation in dramatic productions in which every actor and every behind –the-scenes technician is a young person aged 9 – 18.

 

Our participants receive more than simply the opportunity to work on a production; we are instilling and refining important traits that equip our participants to be successful adults. Our opportunities for young people develop leadership, teamwork and self-confidence, build and reinforce artistic, technical and general problem-solving skills, increase creativity, literacy and artistic expression, and promote community. Encore’s multi-age/multi-grade-level structure encourages mentoring and role modeling between older and younger participants not available in most schools. While some of our participants choose to pursue careers in the arts and arts management, the majority apply these essential life skills to other professions. In this way, we are building tomorrow’s model citizens and leaders.

 

Recent accomplishments include receiving a non-profit capacity building grant from Arlington Economic Development this fall, signifying Arlington County’s investment in growing and strengthening our organization. Additionally, we were honored to have been selected as a featured non-profit in the 2010-2011 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Encore was also the recipient of the 2007 Elizabeth Campbell Award for Outstanding Community Arts Organization from the Arlington branch of the American Association of University Women.