About the Encore Stage and Studio Organization:

How are Children's Theatre plays different from other community plays that appeal to young audiences?
We are different because all of the actors and backstage crew in Children's Theatre productions are enthusiastic participants from ages 9 through 18. The actors and crew meet with the audience in the lobby after each show to sign autographs and talk. Children in the audience respond strongly to cast members onstage that are closer to their age, which makes for a different and more vivid experience than at other theatres. The Children's Theatre has entertained audiences in Arlington for nearly 40 years -- so we know what appeals to kids.

What are the qualifications of Encore staff?
We are fortunate that the directors, teachers and staff of Encore programs are knowledgeable and experienced both in theatre arts and in education. Our high standards require that staff members hold performance credentials which dovetail with educational experience, and that they are able to bring out the best in our young performers. To find out more, see our staff page.

How can we buy tickets?
Season tickets are the most economical way to buy tickets, and are by far the best family entertainment bargain in the metropolitan area. They guarantee the best seats, no waiting in line, and a simple and liberal exchange policy. (We know plans change.) Individual tickets and season tickets alike can be ordered either by mail or by calling to reserve seats and paying upon arrival at the box office. Information about ticket prices and performance dates can be found by calling (703) 548-1154 or at http://www.encorestage.org. All tickets are assigned (seat-specific), so you can rely on receiving the best seats available if you call ahead to reserve. Group rates for groups of ten or more also offer significant savings: organize your friends!

Can we pay by credit card?
No, Encore Stage does not accept credit cards at this time. We accept cash and checks.

Is the organization supported by Arlington County?
Encore Stage & Studio receives a grant as well as performance space from the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Development, for which we are grateful. However, the County support totals only about 20 percent of the cost of one of our five yearly plays. Encore receives a similar grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia, through the Virginia Commission for the Arts. It is wonderful to enjoy the confidence and support of these public institutions; however, Encore depends on ticket sales, advertising sales and contributions to cover most of its expenses. Contributions are tax deductible! See our support page.

Does Encore contribute tickets to community auctions and fundraisers?
Yes! To make a request, please contact us via email at info@encorestage.org.

About the Audience:

How old should a child be to enjoy a Children's Theatre play?
The Children's Theatre is very proud to entertain even the smallest theatre-goers. Many area children have attended their first real play at one of our shows. Most children age four and up will have a blast at our shows. If your child is younger, attendance may still be a good bet; just be sure he or she can sit relatively still for 45 minutes to an hour, without the distraction of food (food and drink are prohibited in the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, although patrons can enjoy concessions in the lobby before the show and at intermission). Many younger children are transfixed by the experience of seeing child actors at work. We do ask that crying or talkative children be removed to the lobby during shows as a courtesy to the other patrons.

May we take photographs during Children's Theatre performances?
Flash photography and videography are disruptive to the actors and patrons, and are prohibited by the Thomas Jefferson Community Center theatre and most of our play licensing agreements. Encore Stage is fortunate to have the services of a talented local photographer, Larry McClemons, who has been with us over 15 years, to take professional photos for press, web site, organizational, and family purposes. We also record DVDs with the permission of, and in accordance with, the copyright policies of the individual publishing houses.

How many people attend Encore plays each year?
In the 2004-5 season, over 12,000 people were in the audience.

About Auditioning, Acting and Crewing in Children's Theatre Plays:

How old must you be to audition for the cast of Children's Theatre plays?
Actors must be at least nine years old at the time of auditions, and may be as old as 18.

How old must you be to try for a place on the backstage crew of Children's Theatre plays?
Crew members must be at least 12 years old at the time of auditions, and may be as old as 18.

Approximately how many kids try out for the cast and crew?
In most plays, between 100 and 150 children audition. Most Children's Theatre plays have between 20 and 28 children in the cast, so there is strong competition for places. Participation in the backstage crew is also competitive. Between 20 and 30 children apply for crew positions in each play, and 8 to 12 are selected, depending on the technical demands of each particular production.

Is there a fee to audition or participate in a Children's Theatre play?
No, the Children's Theatre does not charge an audition or casting fee like many other children's theatres.

Are all kids who are selected for the cast and crew experienced?
No. The Children's Theatre is proud to give many children their first real acting experience. Usually each cast reflects a balance of new and experienced performers. Generally, however, children who have experience speak more distinctly and have more stage presence, and thus have a better chance at being cast. Children do become better actors with practice. That is one reason Encore Stage and Studio offers several different types of educational programs for children interested in acting. Saturday classes, after-school classes and two- and three-week summer programs are great ways to get experience for children who want to audition for Children's Theatre plays.

How do auditions work?
The auditions are conducted in two stages. Notices of audition dates appear on the Encore website and are sent to all Arlington County public schools (and many private schools), as well as the Encore mailing list. During the first two days of auditions, children may arrive at any time during the period noted (usually between 5 and 7 pm) at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (follow the signs to the rehearsal/audition rooms). The kids will fill out an audition form (including scheduling conflicts), which you may obtain in advance from the Encore website, at http://www.encorestage.org/pdf/audition.pdf and join the queue for an audition slot. After the first audition period, between 35 and 50 children are "called back" for a second audition (usually Thursday of the same week).

Activities in the auditions vary according to the preference of the director, but usually include small group improvisations. No prepared material is required. Those chosen for the cast are normally notified by the following Sunday evening, and rehearsals begin the following week. Children must attend both auditions (the first and the "call back") in order to be cast. Each year Encore offers one or two optional workshops to help prepare children for the experience of auditioning. Dates of these workshops will appear on the Encore website.

Who decides which children are selected for the cast and crew?
The director of each play and the artistic director of Encore make the decision, although the stage manager may also have input. The technical director and the artistic director make the selections for the backstage crew, sometimes with the input of the stage manager.

Why wasn't my child cast?
Casting any dramatic production requires balancing many factors, which include many attributes beyond "raw talent." The director and the artistic director must not only choose casts which reflect their artistic and individual vision of the show, but also must balance ages (e.g. including teens to provide examples and mentors, and young children just starting out who will be the mentors of tomorrow's shows), experience (aiming for a leadership group already experienced with our procedures, a group of middle experience who have acting experience but not with Children's Theatre, and new actors just learning so that they will carry on after the current experienced group "graduates"), and other important qualities such as ability to listen and follow directions, ability to work well with a group, and so forth.

Often, qualified children are not cast because they have conflicts with the rehearsal or the performance schedule. The Children's Theatre regrets that there is not time to contact each child not chosen to explain the reasoning for casting decisions, and asks each to keep in mind that it may be no reflection on that "raw talent:" we encourage you to keep on trying!

What is a typical rehearsal schedule for a Children's Theatre play?
Participating in a Children's Theatre play is a big commitment, but very rewarding. A tentative rehearsal schedule is available at each audition. A typical rehearsal schedule would include rehearsals three (or sometimes two) days a week for 6 or 7 weeks (e.g. Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:30 pm and Fridays 7:30 - 10 pm; or Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 - 7 pm). However, during "Tech Week" (the week before the play opens) the cast and crew rehearse every night, Sunday through Thursday, for approximately four hours each evening, in order to incorporate the scenery, costumes, sound, lighting, and make-up.

Is it possible for actors or crew members to miss rehearsals?
Almost never. A determining factor in casting sometimes turns out to be scheduling "conflicts." Children must list any potential conflicts when they turn in their audition forms. Many of them have numerous and serious conflicts ranging from a need to miss several rehearsals to missing actual performances. Sadly, the older, more talented, and/or more experienced children frequently have the most, and most intractable, conflicts. Missing rehearsals is generally not allowed except for absences approved prior to casting. Families must understand that an ensemble activity such as a play depends on the active participation of each actor and crew member. In order to give each child the most rewarding experience possible, Children's Theatre does not make use of understudies; the presence of each member of the cast and crew is critical. No performances or tech week rehearsals may be missed except for actual acute emergencies.

What are the time demands of crew members during rehearsals and performances?
Crew members attend fewer rehearsals than actors because their main job begins when the production moves to the stage during tech week. But the crew has only a short few days to learn their jobs and to coordinate hundreds of lighting, sound and set cues; therefore their tech week rehearsals may be longer than those of the cast. Crew members are trained to use professional sound and light boards, and learn their jobs under the supervision of talented professionals. The Children's Theatre is one of the only theatres that train children to do these important jobs.

How are Act III shows different from Children's Theatre shows?
Participants in the summer Act III show are older youth, ages 15 and up, college students, and even adults from the community. The plays are somewhat more demanding musically or thematically than Children's Theatre plays, and may appeal more to an audience of older children. Recent Act III shows include Seussical, Oklahoma, and Kiss Me Kate.

Do you have a question we haven't answered? Contact us at info@encorestage.org