Creativity & Joy with Encore’s Staff

Another #FrontRowFriday is upon us, friends. I don’t know about you, but the weekend certainly brings a spring to my step (even if the only place I’m walking is around my house or neighborhood). Before you log off for a weekend of relaxation and pampering for the moms in your life, please enjoy some wise words from Encore’s amazing team.

How does theatre bring you joy?

Kyla McLaughlin: Getting to share in creating something that could only be made in that moment by the people there makes me feel connected and creative!

Aileen Christian: There’s always a story that unfolds– in the script, music, and choreography. It brings me joy to witness and experience how these different elements and talents come together to create something magical!

Shannon McCarthy: Working on a production automatically puts you on a team. You are all working toward the goal of a successful show. Whether you’re playing a family onstage, coordinating with a tech partner to execute a scene change, or working on the production team, you are instantly bonded together. In a world where many connections are made from behind a distant screen, there’s something incredibly special about connecting with others through any art form, particularly theatre.

Share a significant moment when you experienced teamwork shine in a production.

Kyla: I love watching sets come down during strike! It’s exciting to see how quickly it all comes apart thanks to all the hands helping out.

Shannon: I think that the most significant example of theatrical teamwork that I’ve experienced would have to be my senior thesis directing project at Sweet Briar College. As a first-time director, it’s kind of outrageous that I selected She Kills Monsters as my script, but I was intensely drawn to the characters, the plotline, and (I will admit) the spectacle. The show is partially set in a fantasy Dungeons & Dragons universe, complete with monsters and mythical creatures. It was a huge undertaking that I could never have executed alone. I had to depend on my fellow students who had skills in lighting, prop construction, costume and makeup design, choreography, and more. It was a huge undertaking, but it came together beautifully.

Aileen: One of my favorite moments of teamwork is seeing Stage Door and Tech Camp all come together on their final performance every summer. It still amazes me how much is accomplished in just three weeks. The students want to learn and want to be there!

Madaline: During the Flip the Script tour, actors had to step into the role of understudies. During rehearsals, I loved watching the original cast sharing with the understudies so they could perform the characters as they were created. Because of the actors’ care of the characters and each other, everyone was invited to perform on the national stage (Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center).

What does theatre teach us about empathy?

Madaline: When we have the courage to step out of our lives and invite someone in to share in their journey, it can be life-altering. Everyone has a story.

Jordan Wells: Theatre allows us to experience other people’s stories, stories that we may not have otherwise encountered. These new perspectives allow us to gain insight into the world around us and how events and situations can impact us all differently. In addition to teaching us the value of having empathy, theatre can also teach us the dangers that come with a lack of empathy.

Aileen: Theatre invites us to see what it’s like in another person’s shoes. I think that’s important to learn different perspectives outside our own and gain a higher understanding.

A.K. Nell: Theatre allows us to experience the life of someone else for a short while; and to do that, you end up stepping into their shoes, doing what they do, and feeling what they feel.

Kyla: Theatre not only asks us to read stories from around the world but to live the experiences of people from all over and from every time period. There’s always something more we can learn about ourselves from people who came before us or who live in completely different worlds than we do.

Shannon: As an actor, you can draw upon your own experiences, but that will only get you so far. Hopefully, you’ve had a pretty fortunate and happy life, but you may be called upon to portray a character that faces heartbreak, tragedy, or misfortune. You have to imagine how circumstances affect others outside of your circle of awareness and influence. I’m particularly aware of my own privilege right now during this global health crisis. Yes, I may be nervous about things and might not be able to find excess toilet paper, for example, but I’m so lucky to have a home, to have the ability to stock up on important supplies, etc.

Either onstage or backstage, how has theatre helped you be a leader?

Kyla : Theatre gives me opportunities to build and design things I wouldn’t have thought of in normal life and, through those creative projects, I get bigger and better ideas of things I could build in the future.

Jordan : Theatre has helped me be a leader by providing me a safe space to learn from others, so that I could ultimately serve as a role model for my peers.

Madaline: Whether you are an actor or a crew member, you have a responsibility to each other and the production. Each experience allows for growth. When you can perform your duties when no one is watching because it is the right thing to do, you are developing into a leader.

How has creativity helped you beyond theatre?

A.K.: Being creative is effective in my life in so many ways. I find myself being able to more easily problem solve, help others with more insight, and take projects to the next level. Creativity is a mindset, a way to approach the world.

Madaline: Creativity has taught me that there is always an answer. Be patient and work through it.

Kyla: Creativity helps me problem solve in every aspect of life and to find new ways of working with others and moving forward together.

Aileen: Creativity allows me to problem solve and be innovative, using what I have to make things work and press forward.

Shannon: Theatre helps you to not only think outside the box, but to think through, around, and under the box. To dismantle the box altogether and build something entirely new! I use these creative thinking skills every day as a marketer; we’re always trying to come up with new and exciting ways to share Encore’s programs with new potential students and audience members.

Photos by Aileen Christian and  Cindy Kane Photography.
Blog contributions by the staff of Encore Stage & Studio.
Edited by Shannon McCarthy & Parker Nelson

Creativity & Joy with Encore’s Staff

Encore Stage & Studio

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