about the Cast & Crew

Elizabeth Bell (Time Keeper/Woman at the Bus stop 1) is a freshman at The Madeira School. She is so excited to be a part of her third Encore performance, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Talia Branch (Weenie Beenie Employee/Actor 1 car/Umpire/Students at the Bus Stop) is a fifth grader at Ashlawn Elementary School in Arlington. She was Goldilocks in What Happened After Once Upon A Time. This is her first Encore production outside of school. She enjoys climbing trees, arts and crafts, and baking (and eating) cookies.

Teddy Burwell (Jamie/Builder 2/Student at the Bus Stop) is a fifth grader at St. Albans. He enjoys theatre very much and this will be his third Encore production. He played Monsieur D'rauq in Beauty and the Beast and Freddy Fox in What Makes A Winner. He is very happy to be in this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

Nico Cabrera (Rufus/Surveyor 3/Students at the Bus Stop) is an energetic, fun-loving fifth grader at Two Rivers Public Charter school in Washington D.C. and swims for the DC Wave swim team. This is Nico’s second Encore production and he thanks the staff from his prior acting classes with Encore, Theatre Lab, and Shakespeare Theater Company as well as his excellent drama teachers at Two Rivers. In addition to acting, Nico loves Pokémon, anime, and doing jotaro’s stand (jjba).

Riziki Dunbar (Dottie/Cheerleader/Student 3) is a fourth grader at Dr. Drew Elementary School. She is thrilled to be taking part on her fifth show with Encore. She played in Annie Jr as Molly; Treasure Island; A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol as Fezziwig and other great Encore enriching shows/ camps. She also participated in Premiere Show Production Program. Ziki is also involved in her School and Church Musical/play programs. She is currently participating in her school choir, drama, band, and News Networking. Besides arts, Ziki enjoys reading, writing, exploring, all sports, technology, cheerleading, music and spending time with friends. She is thrilled to be a part of this inspiring history of a great community and honored that you came. Enjoy the show and please come back for Encore has so much to offer!

Nora Elder (Front of House Crew) is an eighth grader at Dorothy Hamm Middle School. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Isla Fletcher (Patricia/Cheerleader/Student at the Bus Stop) is a third grader at Claremont Immersion school. She lives in the Green Valley neighborhood and is so excited to be playing a part in her first Encore production! She enjoys playing the piano, dancing, sewing, playing many sports and Girl Scouts. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jacob Fridman (Build Crew) is a freshman at Walt Whitman High School. He hopes you enoy the show!

about the Cast & Crew

Nathaniel Gels (Theodore) is a fourth grader at Belvedere Elementary School. He enjoys writing and theatrics. This is his first Encore production. Outside of acting, he enjoys swimming, video games, TaeKwonDo and spending time with friends and family. He’s excited that you’re here!

Hanna Germain (Audience Member 2/Church Lady/Woman at the Bus Stop 2/Student 2) is a seventh grader at Kenmore Middle School and is thrilled to be in her fourth Encore production following roles in Talented Clementine, Annie, and Beauty and the Beast. Aside from her love of theater, she loves music, movies, biking, traveling, and most importantly her two adorable dogs, Pixie and Sammy.

London Hall (Teacher 1/Church Lady 5/Doc Muse) is an eighth grader at Kilmer Middle School in Falls Church. She fell in love with acting with her first audition. She has been in another Encore production, Frozen Jr., and several acting camps every summer. She enjoys creating art, designing clothing, and writing short stories. London is an aspiring actor, and plans to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts for Acting.

Kate Heaney (Front of House Crew) is an eighth grader at Dorothy Hamm Middle School. She is excited to do crew for her first Encore show and hopes to do more shows in the future.

Katie Hearne (Front of House Crew) is a seventh grader at St. Ann Catholic School. It’s her first time doing front of house crew and she is very excited to take part in her eighth Encore production. While not at Encore, you will find her singing, baking, playing piano, reading, or playing with her dog Honey. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Reagan Holland (Backstage Crew) is a sophomore at Langley High School. Usually onstage, this is her first production as backstage crew and she's super excited for the opportunity! Previously she has served on front of house for Encore's production of Cinderella and has been on cast for nearly twenty productions both at Encore and other theaters. She most recently appeared as Mrs. Potts in Encore's Beauty and the Beast Jr.! When she's not at the theater you'll most likely find her hanging out with family and friends, playing in her school orchestra, scribbling down her latest novel idea, playing with her adorable tortoise Stanley, or snuggled up with a good book. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Harper Horneman (Weenie Beenie Patron 3/Actor 3 Car/Dr. Butler) is a fifth grafter at Campbell

E.S. This is Harper’s first show with Encore Theater. She enjoys all things art, particularly drawing, and spending time going on walks outside in her neighborhood. She has participated in many school clubs and activities - especially if they involve performing - such as Community Meeting Crew, Odyssey of the Mind, Honors Chorus, band and the school musical. Harper is grateful to be a part of Flip the Script and hopes you enjoy the performance!

about the Cast & Crew

Lucy Horner (Backstage Crew) is a ninth grader at Arlington Tech. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Zora Howard (Mrs.Jackson/Mama) is an eighth grader at Georgetown Day School. This is her fourth Encore production. Outside of acting, she enjoys playing the drums, drawing, and poetry.

Rose Jaboori (Elizabeth) is a fourth grader at Alice West Fleet ES. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Merielle Koehn (Teacher 2/ Church Lady 4/Surveyor 1) is a sixth grader at Swanson Middle School. She is excited to be making her Encore debut! She has appeared in prior productions with ETC and Swanson. In addition to acting, Mer competes in track, plays piano, enjoys tennis and candle making, and loves her pet guinea pigs.

Dina Marjane (Georgia) is a fourth grader at Claremont Immersion School. She is excited to participate in her second Encore production. In addition to theater, her hobbies include ice skating, Girl Scouting, and caring for animals of any kind. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Sarah McBurney (Build Crew) is a junior at Alexandria City High School. This is her eighteenth production with Encore, and she is excited to be a part of the build crew for this show. Sarah has most recently appeared in Encore’s Beauty and the Beast as Madame de la Grande Bouche. When she's not on (or back) stage, Sarah does video production through her school's media department, and she enjoys art and baking.

Sierra McGrann (Backstage Crew) is a seventh grader at HB-Woodlawn who is excited to be a part of another Encore show, Flip The Script! When their not a part of a show she enjoys doing martial arts, playing the piano, collecting stuff animals, drawing, and when she has time she enjoys hanging out with her friends.

Natalia Grace Melendez (Audience Member 1/Church Lady/Receptionist) is a fifth grader at West Springfield Elementary). She is excited and overjoyed to have her second performance with Encore. She first learned about Encore in 2020 through some friends and has been interested ever since. She has been playing the viola for two years and loves the arts. Natalia enjoys swimming competitively and playing basketball.

Timotei Mourot (Saul/Big Saul) is a seventh grader at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. This is his first Encore play. Outside of acting and improv, Timotei loves traveling, reading, playing video games, camping, roller blading, trying new foods, and game/movie nights with his family.

about the Cast & Crew

Ara Peche (Weenie Patron 2/Actor 2 car/Students at the Bus Stop) is a fifth grader at Campbell Elementary School. This is her first Encore production. She enjoys rock climbing, baking, biking and playing soccer. She has been acting since she was three and singing since she was nine.

Lucy Perryman (Patron 1/Denise/Cheerleader/Builder 1) is a fifth grader at St. Ann Catholic School. She is proud to perform in her second Encore show, Flip the Script. Her first was Rainbow Fish, an Encore Cares production. Lucy is eleven years old and loves photography and her dog, Quigley. Lucy likes writing and thinking up stories from her head. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jack Ploetz (Build Crew) is a senior at Arlington Tech. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Loic Razanakoto (Build Crew) is a freshman at Washington Liberty. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Sam Regardie (Build Crew) is a senior at Washington Latin PCS. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Zuri Simone Richardson (Audience Member 3/Church Lady/ Women at the Bus Stop 3) is a fourth grader at E.W. Stokes. She loves dancing, singing, and playing with her two dogs, Phife and Biggie. She attends The Washington Ballet School and has performed in The Nutcracker at the Warner Theater in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. She is a National Children's Chorus member and performed at the National Christian Church in Washington, DC, and the First Presbyterian Church in New York City during their 2022 Christmas season.

Liam Riedelbach-Armer (Build Crew) is an eight grader at Gunston Middle School. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Izzy Till (Softball Coach/Student 1/Builder 1/Surveyor 2/Student 1) is a seventh grader at Gunston Middle School. This is their second Encore production, as they were crew for the Encore production of Beauty & The Beast. Outside of Encore, they have recently played a role with Synetic, as Mayor Johnson in The Mystery Of Infinity Falls. They have also acted in various camps and school productions. When they're not acting, they enjoy singing, writing, and reading.

Ava Torres (Angel /Cheerleader/Students at the Bus Stop) is a fifth grader at Long Branch Elementary. This is her third show with Encore. She loves singing, playing the ukulele, and overall just being a goofball. She hopes you enjoy the show!

about the Cast & Crew

Gavin Torres (DJ/Reverend/Man at the bus stop) is an eighth grader at Swanson Middle School. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Leo Walsh (Robbie/Student 3/Builder 4) is a fourth grader at Nottingham Elementary School in Arlington. He is thrilled to be in his second Encore production; he made his debut as the bookseller in Beauty and the Beast. He has been participating in Encore and ETC theater camps for over half his life! Outside of theater, he enjoys, cooking travel and spending time with his friends and family.

Darcy Warmerdam (Backstage Crew) is a ninth grader at the British International School of Washington. This is her fourth Encore production, and she most recently appeared on stage as Leonard the Lion in What Makes A Winner. Darcy has enjoyed making scenery for Flip the Script and is excited to be running the sound for this production. She hopes that you enjoy the show!

India Warmerdam (Build Crew) is a tenth grader at The British International School of Washington and is excited to be working as part of the build crew of Flip the Script. She also loves acting and most recently appeared as the Big Bad Wolf in A Fairytale Christmas Carol. She really enjoys being part of the Encore community. Enjoy the show!

aBOUT THE creative team

Madaline Langston (Show Director, Director of Programming) has been with Encore Stage & Studio’s It’s Elementary Program for over a decade and is currently Education Programs Director. Madaline is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts Advance Theatre program in Washington DC. She began developing her improvisation and classical skills performing at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Madaline later joined the Shakespeare Theatre Company under the Artistic Direction of Michael Kahn, followed by two National tours with the John F. Kennedy Center’s programs for children. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation Television Radio Artists, and Actors Equity, Madaline has worked on films, industrials, regional and national commercials. Madaline was a nominee for the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America’s 2021 Corey Medallion Award.

James Carlos Lacey (Assistant Director) is a Paraguayan Born British actor, playwright, director and singer-songwriter. Originally, a History Major from the University of East Anglia, England, he has performed globally and received his Master’s at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London where he co-founded The Undertow Theatre Company. He has just completed his MFA at the Academy for Classical Acting with the Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C. He is passionate about adapting and devising works that draw from classical texts and mythology that speak to our humanity. He is very excited to be sharing his knowledge and passion for the arts to the next generation of Artists. Credits: Regional: Romeo & Juliet (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company), Playboy of the Western World (Solas Nua), Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare Theatre Company), INTERNATIONAL: Hamlet (Tower Theatre), Antony & Cleopatra (Tower Theatre), Orphée (Bloomsbury Festival), The Bacchae (Festival of Ancient Messene). FILM: Butcher, The Queue.

aBOUT THE creative team

Debra Leonard (Costume Designer & Build, Make-up Designer) is designing her 21st season with Encore Stage & Studio. She has designed costumes for many area theatres and film companies, with over 100 productions to her credit. Debra has also designed for American University, Prince George’s Community College, and Allentown College in PA. Additionally, she works as a Special Education teacher with Prince George’s County. Debra is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Kalamazoo College, with her graduate degree from American University.

Kristen Jepperson (Technical Director, Set Design & Build) is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, with a BFA in Harp Performance. Since graduation she has toured nationally as a member of the New Christy Minstrels and with Ragtime, the Musical (Emma Goldman). Theatrical credits include: Daisy, The Adding Machine, Studio Theater; Reno, Anything Goes, Olney Theater; Agnes Gooch, Mame, Toby’s of Columbia; Reverend Mother Mary Regina, Nunsense, Toby’s Baltimore. Having gotten her start in children's theatre as a child, working with Encore “on the other side of the table” makes a nice circle.

Kira Kettler (Stage Manager) is a freshman at Washington-Liberty. This is her eleventh Encore production, appearing this season in Treasure Island (Long John Silver), as well as A Fairytale Christmas Carol and Beauty and the Beast as Front of House Student Manager and Assistant Stage Manager.

aBOUT THE theatre staff

Sara Strehle Duke (Executive Director) has led Northern Virginia’s largest, award-winning children’s theatre since 2010. She was recognized as one of Leadership Center for Excellence's 40 Under 40 in 2015. Previously, she worked for the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia and Round House Theatre in Bethesda. She is a Board member for Embracing Arlington Arts, a member of Leadership Arlington, Class of 2014, and a dedicated volunteer with several youth serving organizations. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the College of William & Mary.

Aileen Pangan Christian (Director of Marketing and Design) is delighted to be in her eleventh season with Encore. She taught dance at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News, VA, and was involved in marketing for BalletNova Center for Dance. Aileen graduated from Leadership Arlington’s Young Professional Program and is an alum of Christopher Newport University. She has worked on films including Step Up 2, directed by Jon M. Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians. Aileen and her husband welcomed their daughter in August 2020 and their son in January 2022.

Maureen Bouda (Business Manager) joined the Encore team in 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive public accounting experience including several nonprofit clients. After her time in public accounting, she worked in London, UK for a large American multinational company focusing on financial statement consolidation, Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls and process improvements. At Encore, Maureen works closely with our Board of Directors andFinance Committee to ensure accurate financial records and organizational forecasting. Maureen has a strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and supports the organization on finance related matters.