Encore Stage & Studio

Have been enjoying Encore shows for 10 years! Always a joy to see the magic of theater come alive in so many young people! I'm loving the new shoes they are putting out (world premiers and lesser known titles); they are always very well written for all ages.

This is a great community organization! The benefits they provide are multiple.
For young theater audiences, Encore provides an introduction for a lifelong love of theater with age appropriate shows performed by children. There is something very appealing to children seeing other children perform.
For the performers, Encore provides a very professional experience. They have high quality, knowledgeable staff who engender a love of performing. The opportunity to perform is free and based on low stress auditions.
They run wonderful camps in the summer and during school breaks (those are not free.)
On top of all this, it is a superbly run and well-organized community organization with a true sense of mission.
Highly recommended.

My daughter (6 year old) had a WONDERFUL time at the Encore theater camp this summer. She did a two-week camp called "Circus Adventures." She was nervous and homesick at first, but Madaline and her staff were very sweet and supportive and our daughter quickly warmed up to her coaches and fellow campers. Well organized from start to finish. We will definitely enroll again!

Recently went to a performance of Sleeping Beauty (encore does kids plays). The performers are good. There are a lot of kids so it's not the same professional level as Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Still the kids liked the play. One new idea that does not seem well though out was the addition of the Prelude Youth Orchestra. I received an email saying that there would be pre-performance music which I took to mean would be about 15 minutes before the show started at 3. Not the case. The show started at 3 and then there was 15 minutes of classical music. Surely I thought - there will some peppy kids music - maybe some nursery rhyme music or other fun tunes. No just classical music for 15 minutes and lot of 6-8 year old girls getting restless and asking when the show would start. I think it's fine to try and expose kids to music but should be at intermission or post show or really before the listed start time, It seems the members of the encore theater have forgotten what it's like to have squirmy kids who are waiting for the show to start.