The Magic of Theatre with Alum Eileen Sugameli

At Encore, we love watching where our students go after their time in our programs and shows. Today we have another alum interview with Eileen Sugameli, who recently was highlighted in The Arlington Connection for her local short film premier. Read all about that here ! Once you’ve checked that out, click back over here to tune into some amazing memories with Eileen.

You were involved in so many Encore shows, tell us about your top 3 favorites!

I could talk about why every single one of the more than a dozen shows I was involved in and why each one was special to me.  It’s hard to choose but here are a few!

The Hobbit – my very first Encore show directed by Marji Jepperson.  I played an elf and a hobbit.  This show will always have such a special place in my heart (To this day, I still remember my two lines, and the hobbit dance!)  I turned 11 on the day of one of the performances and had a birthday party between the shows.  In that moment I knew I wanted to spend as many birthdays on stage as I could!

Monster in the Closet – directed by Susan Keady.  I remember getting notes during this show, and so many of the notes were ‘you’re doing this- it’s great- keep going- do it bigger!’  This show boosted my confidence so much.  Confidence can be a very hard thing for me to find, even now.  I often think back to my 12-year-old self on the Encore stage and try to hold onto the confidence that I found there.

Legally Blonde-  my most recent Encore Show.  It felt like such a homecoming, and I had so much fun connecting with everyone.  The show was an absolute blast.  At this time I was studying hard at NYU-Tisch and studying lots of serious drama.  It was so nice to just get to let go and have so much fun onstage.

When did you know you wanted to pursue acting professionally?

My dad is the one who tells this story.  I was a year and a half old at a wedding.  My dad and I were on the dance floor when the buffet opened up.  Naturally, the adults all went to get in line for food.  I kept dancing all by myself.  When the song ended, everyone looked at me and started clapping.  My dad says my face lit up and he knew at that moment I was going to be a performer.

One of my early memories is seeing  A Winnie the Pooh Christmas  at Encore and desperately wanting to be Piglet or Roo (Roo had one line- “Merry Christmas everyone” and I practiced it over and over again.)

What was it like to come back to Arlington for your recent short-film premier?

It’s always wonderful to come back to Arlington.  As my family and I drove to the premier, we took the exact same route that we took to Encore countless times throughout my childhood.  As a kid, I would drive this route and imagine what it would be like to be a professional actor.  Now, as a professional actor, I’m driving the same route, reminiscing about what it was like to be an Encore kid.

We love highlighting Encore friendships, is there anyone you keep in contact with from your days at Encore?

Yes- one of my oldest friends who I met at Encore and I are currently co-creating a show.  Morgan Sendek and I met during  Harriet the Spy  and we have been friends ever since!  More information about our show is coming soon!  

Where are you based now and what have you been working on?

I am based in New York City.  I am a professional actor and am working in ‘edutainment.’  I’ve most recently performed in award-winning play premieres and film productions, and have an educational one-woman magic show that I tour to New York Public Libraries.

Tell us a little about your many special skills! Is there one you’ve always wanted to use in a performance?

Magic is one!  I’ve also been swing dancing for a few years now, and I’ve learned to do some aerial tricks- I’ve always wanted to fly onstage!

Encore’s theme this season is “courage”- how can theatre give students courage?

Getting up on stage is scary!  And honestly, I think auditioning can be even scarier.  Theatre is such a beautiful opportunity to practice being vulnerable.  It’s really nerve-wracking to put yourself out there, but the more you do it, the easier it gets.  And you never know what impact your courage will have on others- your courage can inspire others to do the same.

Any advice for current Encore students?

Don’t give up!  It took me 8 tries to get into an Encore show.  Not getting a role doesn’t mean that you are a bad actor, it just means you weren’t the right fit for that show at that time.  As a professional actor, I have to constantly remind myself about this.  I often think back to my Encore days, and how if I had given up after the first, second, or seventh audition, I would have missed out on so many awesome experiences.

Thanks for checking back in with us, Eileen! We are so excited to see everything you are up to. If you are a current student and you are hoping to put yourself out there like Eileen is encouraging us to, keep your eyes peeled for our next round of auditions , coming soon!

Photos by Larry McClemons. Blog contribution by Parker Nelson.

The Magic of Theatre with Alum Eileen Sugameli

Encore Stage & Studio

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