Support Encore Stage & Studio — 60 Years of Theater for Every Child in Arlington, VA
Nearly 15,000 children and families served per season. No-cost production participation. Scholarships for every program. None of it happens without community support.
Encore Stage & Studio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Every donation is tax-deductible and goes directly to the programs, scholarships, and productions that make this organization what it is.
For 60 years, Encore has operated on a simple belief: financial barriers should not determine which children get to experience theater. The no-cost participation model for school-year productions, the need-based scholarships for camps and classes, the touring productions that bring live theater into schools at no cost to students — all of it requires sustained community investment to keep running.
This page is for the people who want to be part of that!
Get Involved
Ways to Support Encore Stage & Studio
Make a Donation
A direct financial contribution to Encore supports program operations, scholarship funding, and production costs. Donations of any amount make a difference — and specific gift levels connect your contribution to a concrete outcome.
$1,250 funds a complete Flip the Script touring production, bringing live theater performed by young people into an Arlington or Alexandria elementary school. That one number translates directly into an auditorium full of students experiencing live theater, many of them for the first time.
Fund a Scholarship
Encore's need-based scholarship program ensures that no child is turned away from a camp or class because of cost. Scholarship fund contributions go directly to families who apply for financial assistance — a named, specific use that donors consistently identify as the most meaningful way to give.
When you fund a scholarship, a child who would otherwise not have been able to enroll spends a week on stage, or a semester in a class, because you made it possible.
Volunteer
Encore welcomes adult volunteers who want to contribute time and presence to the organization's work. Volunteer opportunities range from production support to event assistance to mentorship within the Encore Excellence front-of-house training program.
Why Your Support Matters Here
Encore is not a franchise program or a for-profit studio. It is a nonprofit organization that has been built, sustained, and grown by community support for 60 years. The things that make Encore different from other programs in this market — the no-cost participation model, the scholarships, the touring productions that go into schools — are only possible because donors, volunteers, and supporters choose to invest in them.
Nearly 15,000 children and families move through Encore programs every season. The ones who could not otherwise afford to participate are here because someone gave. The schools that received a Flip the Script touring performance are here because someone gave $1,250. The camp scholarship recipient who is on stage this Friday afternoon is here because someone gave. That is what support looks like at Encore!
What Supporters Ask About Giving to Encore
How do I donate to a children's theater nonprofit in Arlington, VA?
Encore Stage & Studio accepts donations online through the link on this page. Encore is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit — all donations are tax-deductible. Contributions go directly to program operations, scholarship funding, and production support. Visit the donate page to give online or to learn about named gift levels and their specific impacts.
What does a donation to Encore Stage actually fund?
Donations to Encore fund three things directly: program operations that keep camps, classes, and productions running; the need-based scholarship program that keeps enrollment accessible for families who cannot afford full tuition; and production costs for touring performances that bring live theater into schools at no cost to students. A gift of $1,250 funds a complete Flip the Script touring production for an elementary school.
Is my donation to Encore Stage tax-deductible?
Yes. Encore Stage & Studio is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. A donation acknowledgment will be provided for your records.
Are there volunteer opportunities at Encore Stage in Arlington?
Yes. Encore welcomes volunteers in a range of roles, including production support, event assistance, and mentorship through the Encore Excellence front-of-house training program. Visit the volunteer page for current opportunities and how to get involved.
How does the Encore scholarship program work?
Need-based scholarships are available for all Encore camp and class programs. Families apply for scholarship assistance and awards are made based on financial need. Scholarship fund donations go directly to supporting these awards — donors who give to the scholarship fund know exactly where their contribution is going and which families it reaches.
Encore Stage & Studio has served this community for 60 years because this community has shown up for it. If you believe every child deserves access to theater — regardless of what their family can afford — this is where that belief becomes action.