Alumni Updates

Nicholas Yenson last worked at Encore in 1996, when he played Blick in The Children's Theatre production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. His next stage appearance will be at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival in the new musical Ghostlight, also starring Tony Award winter Daisy Eagan (The Secret Garden). Some of Nicholas's past endeavors include the roles of Tommy Dijilas in The Music Man and Alan Seymour in Picnic, as well as dancing in four tours of Riverdance. He holds a BA in Traditional Irish Music and Dance from the University of Limerick (County Limerick, Ireland). (August 10, 2011)

Matt writes, "My experiences at Encore Stage and Studio from this formative period had a large effect on my development both as a composer and a person. There is something about acting and directing that leads one to self-assessment and self-reflection. These qualities, in addition to a sense for the dramatic, made their way into my music and helped me gain access to the Royal College of Music." He adds, "I credit Encore Stage and Studio for a good portion of my artistic development from 1998 to the present, and I am proud to be part of an organization that both gives back to the community and helps to educate so many children and young adults."

Matt continues his association with Encore Stage and writes several underscores (including dances, fight music, scene change music, and other sound design) a year. In addition, it is Matt's voice the audience hears before each production, gently reminding them to turn off their cell phones.
(January 30, 2011)

Jimmy Lee Keady is in his senior year at the University of Maryland's School of Government. He is starting his fifth year of service with the Food and Drug Administration.

Jimmy began volunteering as crew at age nine when the Act III program was building. In addition to his tech crew work, Jimmy has appeared on stage in numerous Encore Stage productions. He says his favorite roles include a demented dancing pen guin and Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins, Little Johnnie in Tom Sawyer, the dancing "burn the bunny" doctor in The Velveteen Rabbit, and the title character in Stuart Little. For three years he was the set designer/builder and technical director.

Jimmy has proven an excellent fund raiser, organizing a car wash assisted by parents, casts and crew members, all of whom washed over a hundred cars, raising money for tools and set supplies. He declares the work ethic he developed at Encore has definitely contributed to his career and ongoing academic success. He adds that "the opportunities Encore provides, the discipline of high expectations and comradery of diverse and life long friends is why Encore remains successful and unique."
(January 30, 2011)

Morgan Sendek, who appeared in numerous Encore Stage productions, including Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and High School Musical, is a musical theatre major at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Last fall she played Gretchen von Krupf in the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music's production of Nine. In February, Morgan will be a witness in the Catholic University Drama department's mainstage production of Requiem. (January 30, 2011)

Eileen Sugameli is studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting at NYU's Tisch Institute of Performing Arts Department of Drama. Eileen was involved in 14 Encore Stage productions, including Monster in the Closet, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and the title role in Cinderella.

For her work on the Yorktown High School production of Peter Pan, Eileen was nominated for a National Capital Area Cappies Award in 2008 for Props and Effects. She also performed in The Imaginary Invalid and Nora's Lost, both of which placed first in the District and Regional Virginia High School League State One-Act Drama competition. After earning second place in the separate Virginia Theatre Association Theatre Festival, her Nora's Lost production also performed at the 10-state Southeastern Theatre Conference.

Eileen writes, "Encore was an amazing place to begin experiencing theatre. So amazing, that I might not be able to resist returning to Encore and auditioning for a summer show... Thank you for everything you taught me over the years... it really has helped bring me where I am today." (January 30, 2011)

Sam Updike is currently a senior Lighting Design student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Some of his more notable credits include Lighting Designer for the VCU production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Assistant Lighting Designer for the VCU productions of The Who's Tommy and Ain't Misbehavin'. Sam also was Assistant Lighting Designer for Operafestival Di Roma's production of The Magic Flute in Rome. He spent last summer working as the Project Management intern with Electronic Theatre Controls in Middleton, Wisconsin.

When his schedule permits, Sam returns to Encore Stage to teach, design, and implement his lighting designs at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. Recently he commuted from Richmond to provide lighting design for Encore's production Night at the Wax Museum, The Musical!

Speaking of his association with Encore Stage, Sam says "Encore provided me with technical stage learning opportunities that are not available at any other theatre. Katy McHugh, a lighting designer at Encore, trusted me at a young age to begin the creative, disciplined process that design requires. I enjoy returning to Encore where I am always treated as a professional and a friend." (January 30, 2011)

Act III Alumna to Appear at Signature Theatre
Erin Driscoll, an alumna of Encore Stage's Act III Theatre Company (West Side Story, My Fair Lady), is set to appear as "Johanna" in the Signature Theatre's production of Sweeney Todd . This new staging of the Stephen Sondheim musical is scheduled to run February 9 - April 4, 2010. Erin is a graduate of James Madison University and has appeared on numerous local stages including Ford's Theatre, Olney Theatre, the Round House Theatre, and the Kennedy Center. In 2006 she won a Helen Hayes Award for her work in the Signature Theatre production of Urinetown. (February 2, 2010)

 Alumni News Archives

If you know of a news item about a young person who has participated in Encore Stage & Studio plays or classes, please send it via email to info@encorestage.org. Please be sure to mention the Encore plays or classes that the young person was involved in.