What Makes A Winner is a brand-new show for young audiences about teamwork and friendship between unlikely allies. The show is a mash-up, with music, of several of Aesop’s Fables, centering on the Tortoise and the Hare, who join up to create a champion team of animal athletes to compete in a big race. But is what’s on the outside more important than what’s on the inside? It’s a story full of heart and kindness and the answer to what REALLY makes someone a winner.
-Lynne Childress, Playwright
Theatre is such an odd place, isn't it? You throw together a disparate group of individuals for a very short period of time and they are expected to instantly come together and form a cohesive and entertaining piece of art. And some of you reading this just had an anxiety flashback about group projects in school. It's similar and not at the same time. Unless the show is written specifically for one or two people, the piece of theatre cannot sit on the backs of those one or two individuals who invariably completed the group project in school. This show is all about that process of coming together. More importantly it is also about the character of an individual that allows them to be part of something larger than themselves. As a director I see the individual strengths of each actor and how those work together for the creation of a show. Luckily, Lynne's script also helps the actors see that their own individual contributions make their "team" of actors stronger. In this current world of social media and lightning fast criticism and mockery of differences, this show is a wonderful reminder of the first lessons we ever learn. Listen. Be Kind. Be Helpful. Treat Others the Way You Wish to Be Treated.
I hope you enjoy this journey as much as we did.
-Caren Hearne, DirectorSavannah Songbird ............................................................... Penelope Acker
Terri Turtle .................................................................................. Isabel Ahern
Millie Mouse ................................................................................ Zia Burnett
Freddy Fox/Bookie Bear .......................................................... Teddy Burwell
Sam Squirrel ......................................................................... Nicolas Cabrera
Peggy Porcupine, Brianna Badger .................................... Meredith Chachkin
Marvin Monkey ....................................................................... Jesse Coleman
Emily Eagle ....................................................................... Alexandra DuBose
Felicity Fawn ........................................................................... Ellie Finneran
Kendrick Ant ................................................................................ Kiril French
Bill Chipmunk ............................................................................... Desi Gellie
Bob Goat ................................................................ Selena Godbout Williams
Panther ......................................................................................... Ajan Goyal
Thurnston J. Wolf .....................................................................Annika Haney
Susie Stork ............................................................................... Abigail Houle
Allie Ant .................................................................................... Zora Howard
Rena Toad................................................................................. Dina Marjane
Frog/Bookie Bear’s Mama .................................................. Natalia Melendez
Rob Racoon .................................................................................Abigail Reid
Ray Rabbit ............................................................................... Zachary Rubin
Bobby T. Boy ................................................................................. Jonah Saxe
Rebecca Robin, Bella Bluejay................................. Reva "Rey" Shukla Gorcys
Alice Ant..................................................................................... Jessica Stein
Ref Raccoon ........................................................................... Miranda Taylor
Bill the Duck ................................................................................... Ava Torres
Leonard Lion .................................................................... Darcy Warmerdam
Gary Grasshopper ........................................................... Harper Warmerdam
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Photography during the show is strictly prohibited.
Radhika Bhatnagar
Juliette Crystal
Kate Davis
Erik Fagerstrom
Jordan Funk
Noah Golden
Sarah Jones
Juliette Kane
Morgann Lancelot Caballero
Sierra McGrann
Henry Phoel
Sam Regardie*
Alex Valencic
India Warmerdam
Gabby Wilson
STAR AWARD recipients*
STAR Award recipients show extraordinary dedication and ability. Recipients have participated in at least eight Encore Stage & Studio productions: two onstage, two backstage on tech crew, one front of house crew, and three in any capacity.
#1 - Marathon Mix
1 water bottle, 1 bag of chips and fruit snacks - $5
#2 - Terri Turtle's Treats
1 water bottle, 1 bag of chips, and 1 bag of M&Ms - $5
#3 - Sprinting Snacks
1 Starbucks Frappuccino, 1 bag of M&Ms and fruit snacks - $5
Encore Stage & Studio Thanks you!
Families of Cast and Crew Members
Toni Essex, Jared Davis, Andrex Luque, Joni Hughes and Arlington County Cultural Affairs
Cherrydale United Methodist Church
Cindy Kane Photography
Playwright ............................................................................ Lynne Childress
Director .................................................................................... Caren Hearne
Composer ............................................................................... Matthew Heap
Music Director .............................................................................Sarah Vespa
Choreographer ........................................................ Theresa Molina-Slaiman
Costume Designer & Build, Make-up Designer ........................Debra Leonard
Technical Director, Set Design & Build ................................ Kristen Jepperson
Lighting Director .................................................................. Gary Hauptman
Sound Consultant .........................................................................Kevin Curry
Props .......................................................................................... Brielle Perry
Producer....................................................................................... Cleo Potter
Photographer ............................................................................... Cindy Kane
Stage Manager ........................................................................... Riley Dennis
Student Front of House Manager .......................................... Aidan Pritchard
Executive Director .............................................................. Sara Strehle Duke
Programs Director ........................................................... Madaline Langston
Director of Marketing and Design............................. Aileen Pangan Christian
Development Director ................................................................ Kelley O'Dell
Business Manager ................................................................ Maureen Bouda
Education Programs Coordinator .................................................... Liv Wilson
Production Coordinator ................................................................ Cleo Potter
Arts Apprentice ...................................................................... Matthew Cibak
Arts Apprentice ......................................................................... Brielle Perry
Arts Apprentice ....................................................................... Amanda Willis
Artistic Director Emeritus ....................................................... Susan A. Keady
Executive Producer Emeritus ................................................... Celeste Groves
Penelope J. Acker (Savannah Songbird) is a fourth grader at Campbell ES. This is her first Encore production. In addition to theater, she enjoys reading, writing, swimming, and dance. She’s very excited to perform for you and hopes you enjoy the show!
Isabel Ahern (Terri Turtle) is a fifth grader at Escuela Key Immersion Elementary. This is her second Encore production. She recently played Peter Piper/Elf in A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol. Isa loves being on stage and making up her own stories. She has been working very hard on this production and hopes it’s a winner!
Radhika Bhatnagar (Backstage Crew) is super excited to be apart of crew for her second play with Encore. She’s learning a lot of new things and using her creativity side for designing the stage. Best wishes to all the actors and crew!
Zia Burnett (Millie Mouse) is ten years old and a fourth grader at Arlington Traditional School. She is excited to make her acting debut in What Makes a Winner with Encore! In her free time, Zia enjoys reading, writing, drawing, playing basketball and participating in Girl Scouts. She is happy to be in Encore and hopes you enjoy the show!
Teddy Burwell (Freddy Fox, Bookie Bear) is a fifth grader at St. Albans. This is his second role with Encore, and he hopes you enjoy the show!
Nicolas Cabrera (Sam Squirrel) 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 first 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 the Ohio Gritty.
Meredith Chachkin (Peggy Porcupine, Brianna Badger) is a sixth grader at H-B Woodlawn Middle School. She is thrilled to be joining her first Encore Theater production! Meredith loves singing and being on stage. She has taken part in several Encore camps and classes and has been a member of multiple choirs, including Children's Chorus of Washington and Fairfax Choral Society. In her free time, she enjoys baking, art, and creating films. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support during this challenging time of her life.
Jesse Coleman (Marvin Monkey) is a fifth grader at Lemon Road Elementary School. He is a second-generation Encore performer - his mom performed back in the 80s and he is proud to carry on the family tradition. He can usually be found animating and voice acting for his YouTube channel AnimationEmptyroomX, or playing Geometry Dash and creating music for his second channel, GDEmptyroom.
Juliette Crystal (Backstage Crew) is a seventh grader at H-B Woodlawn. This is her second show at Encore. She was in A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol as Fan and Rumpelstiltskin. She likes hanging out with her friends backstage. She hopes you enjoy the set!
Kate Davis (Backstage Crew) is in eighth grade. This is her third Encore production and her first time on crew. She enjoys making art and creating silly skits with her friends. She has had a fantastic time working on the show and hopes you have a marvelous time watching the show as well.
Alexandra DuBose (Emily Eagle) is a fourth grader at Oakridge ES. Alexandra is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Erik Fagerstrom (Set Build) is an eleventh grader at Trinity School at Meadow View. Eric is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Ellie Finneran (Felicity Fawn) is a fourth grader at Alice West Fleet and is thrilled to be joining her first Encore production."
Kiril French (Kendrick Ant) is happy to race with his castmates in his second Encore production. He played in Rainbow Fish last November and is thirsty for more Encore! Prior to that appearance, Kiril was mostly performing in Texas. Kiril loves being on stage, and theater is his main gig. When not in rehearsal, Kiril enjoys singing solo and with the rock band, playing the piano, composing his own music, and photography.
Jordan Funk (Backstage Crew) is a Sophomore at HB Woodlawn. This is his thirteenth Encore season show. In tech theatre, they have a passion for sound design and stage management. Outside of theatre, she enjoys singing, writing music, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Desi Gellie (Bill Chipmunk) is a third grader at Taylor Elementary School in Arlington. This is Desmond's stage debut. He hopes you enjoy watching the show as much as he has enjoyed creating it.
Selena Godbout Williams (Bob Goat) is a fifth grader at Claremont Elementary. In addition to acting, she plays soccer, basketball, and trumpet. In her free time, she enjoys writing, spending time with family and friends, and going on trips.
Noah Golden (Front of House Crew) is a sixth grader at HB Woodlawn. Noah is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Ajan Goyal (Panther) is an seventh grader at H-B Woodlawn. He enjoys acting very much. This is his first Encore production. He would like to thank his parents, his sister, Hope Lambert, and David Myers. He would like you to enjoy the show. "You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut." - Dr. Seuss
Annika Haney (Thurnston J. Wolf) is a seventh grader at Thomas Jefferson middle school and is thrilled to be participating in her sixth production with Encore. Some previous roles in theater are Sandy in Annie Jr, Crutchie in Newsies Jr, Cheese-Thief Ben in Treasure Island, and many more. While not at rehearsal or on stage, she sings with Arlington Children’s Chorus and likes to hang out with her friends. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Abigail Houle (Susie Stork) is a freshman at Washington-Liberty. She enjoys reading and writing. This is her sixth Encore production, having played Parrot in Treasure Island, Lily in Annie Jr, and Cinderella in Enchanted Bookshop Christmas. Outside of theatre she enjoys singing, making art, and taking walks in the woods. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Zora Howard (Allie Ant) is an eighth grader at Georgetown Day School. This is third Encore production, having played Green/Hunter in Flip the Script: The Day Nothing Happened and Bombalurina in Enchanted Bookshop Christmas. When she is not acting, Zora enjoys visual arts, playing the drums, and hanging out with her friends.
Sarah Jones (Front of House) is a seventh grader at HB Woodlawn. Sarah is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Juliette Kane (Backstage Crew) is a ninth grader at Washington Liberty High School. Juliette is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Morgann Lancelot Caballero (Front of House Crew) is a seventh grader at HB Woodlawn. Morgann is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Dina Marjane (Rena Toad) is a fourth grader at Claremont Elementary School. She is excited to be taking part in her first Encore production! Dina’s interests include playing the flute, girl scouting, and ice skating. She also loves caring for animals of any kind. Dina hopes you enjoy the show!
Sierra McGrann (Backstage Crew) is a seventh grader at HB Woodlawn and is excited to be part of another Encore Show. She was previously part of the crew in Encore's summer camp presentation of Seussical Jr. Her hobbies include playing the piano, drawing, martial arts, and hanging out with her friends.
Natalia Grace Melendez (Frog, Bookie Bear’s Mama) is excited and overjoyed to have her first ever performance with Encore. She first learned about Encore in 2020 through some friends and has been interested ever since. Natalia is eleven years old and is a fifth grader at West Springfield Elementary. She has been studying the viola for two years. Besides the arts, Natalia enjoys hanging out with friends, playing basketball, taking in a theatre show whenever she can and lately – learning the Wednesday dance!
Henry Phoel (Front of House Crew) is excited to be working on his fifth Encore production, second as crew. Outside of Encore, he attends Williamsburg Middle School as a seventh grader. He also enjoys basketball, dive, climbing, and ultimate frisbee. He hopes you enjoy the show.
Sam Regardie (Backstage Crew) is a twelfth grader at Washington Latin PCS. Sam is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Abigail Reid (Rob Raccoon) is a fourth grader at Arlington Science Focus Elementary. She is so excited to be in her second Encore show. She most recently played Goldilocks and Miss Muffet in A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol. Outside of acting, she enjoys dancing, learning new languages and going to Disneyland!
Zachary Rubin (Ray Rabbit) is an eighth grader at Williamsburg Middle School. Outside of acting, Zach enjoys going to the skate park and playing soccer. He is excited to be performing in his first Encore production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Jonah Saxe (Bobby T. Boy) is very excited about performing in his second play for Encore. He loves acting, art and architecture. He enjoys diabolo, juggling, going on roller-coaster and playing tennis. Jonah plays the trombone in the advanced band. He responds to the names of Jonah, Bobby, Jack and bean boy. When he is not performing at Encore, he enjoys going to see Broadway shows and seeing theater at the Kennedy Center as well as local theater.
Reva Shukla Gorcys (Rebecca Robin, Bella Bluejay) is a fifth grader at Cardinal Elementary School. She is a long-time theater lover and is very excited to be in her first Encore production! Prior to joining the What Makes a Winner cast she performed in several ETC Educational Theater Company productions. Outside of acting, she enjoys playing soccer with her friends, dancing, and sushi.
Jessica Stein (Alice Ant) is a fourth grader at Haycock Elementary School where she is learning to play violin and recorder. Jessie loves theater and has been an avid actress and singer since she was little, starting with ad libbed performances and continuing with scripted productions. This is her first official Encore Stage role. She hopes you like the show!
Miranda Taylor (Ref Raccoon) is a fourth grader at Discovery Elementary School. This is her first show with Encore. After years of camps and classes, she was thrilled to finally be old enough to audition this year. She has had a great time with the cast and crew and hopes you enjoy the show!
Ava Torres (Bill the Duck) is a fifth grader at Long Branch Elementary school. In her free time she enjoys reading, drawing, and singing. This is her second show with Encore and has been having so much fun. She hopes you like the show!!
Alex Valencic (Front of House Crew) is a ninth grader at McLean Highschool. Alex is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Darcy Warmerdam (Leonard Lion) is a ninth grader at the British International School of Washington and is delighted to be part of What Makes a Winner, her third Encore production. Darcy was part of the crew for A Fairytale Christmas Carol and Beauty and the Beast but has been persuaded by her sisters to step onto the stage this time. Enjoy the show!
Harper Warmerdam (Gary Grasshopper) is a seventh grader at the British International School of Washington and is very excited to be part of this production. She has previously performed in Treasure Island (Elizabeth Killigrew), A Fairytale Christmas Carol (Queen of Hearts/Ghost of Christmas Future) and was part of the crew for Beauty and the Beast. She would like to remind the audience that there is a time for work and a time for play. Enjoy the show!
India Warmerdam (Backstage Crew) is a tenth grader at The British International School of Washington and is excited to be working as part of the What Makes a Winner show (her fourth production as a Crewton.) 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!
Gabby Wilson (Front of House Crew) is a seventh grader at Kenmore Middle School. Gabby is happy to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Lynne Streeter Childress (Playwright) is a playwright, actor, teaching artist, singer, director, and the founder and artistic director of Building Better People Productions, a professional theater company based in Annapolis, MD, that does shows for young audiences all based in themes of kindness, respect and the things that make us all better people. This is her 28th year in professional theater, with much of that experience in theater for young audiences. This includes performing at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Adventure Theatre, and teaching for institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library. Through all those experiences, Lynne has seen firsthand how theater can communicate the most important things in the clearest and most interesting of ways, especially to young people. Her written shows include We Got It: A Show About Empathy, The Not-So-Ugly Duckling (as part of a 3-writer show called Friendlier Fables and Thoughtful Tales), Feeling All The Feelings, all for Building Better People Productions; Identically Different co written by Leslie Gray Streeter, written for the Brown Sugar Bakeoff; The Queen, The Cake and Zak the Yak, co-developed with Caren Hearne and Michael Marra for Building Better People Productions and Mariposa Theatre For Young Audiences (co-production); Welcome Back, commissioned by Berkeley Carroll School, and performed virtually in separate productions by students at Berkeley Carroll School and Rutgers Preparatory School and Shiny and Bright, originally written for and produced by Adventure Theatre's Jingle in July, in July 2020. Also produced as a virtual staged reading by BBPP. Lynne lives in Annapolis, MD with her husband and son, and is SUPER excited to be working with Encore Stage and this talented group of young performers and technical artists!
Caren Hearne (Director) comes to Encore from Pittsburgh after spending years touring the United States and Europe and performing in Washington DC and NYC. Performing credits include: European Tour: Guys and Dolls (Adelaide) National Tours: Meet Me in St. Louis (mother), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day (Mom, Mrs. Dickens). NYC: The Cougar Ball 1,2,3, and 4 (cabarets for the Actors Fund). Regional: Hello Dolly (Dolly Levi), Mame (Mame Dennis), The King and I (Anna Leonowens), Annie (Miss Hannigan), USO Remembers and USO Christmas (Mabel Norton), Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont), Crazy for You (Irene), Babes in Toyland (Luna, Queen of the Moon), 1776, (Abigail Adams) and others. Currently, Caren is the Executive Artistic Director of the professional theatre for young audiences in Pittsburgh, Mariposa Theatre for Young Audiences. Caren is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association and The Stage Directors and Choreographers Association.
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.
Gary Hauptman (Lighting Director) has been Encore’s resident lighting designer since 2012. His first experiences with lighting were shortly after high school, running spots for community ice shows and for an AC Spark Plug sales convention. Design credits include dance companies, rock bands, cabarets, fashion shows, and magicians. And locally, for Teatro de la Luna, Unexpected Stage, Pinky Swear Productions, The Arlington Players, Port City Players, Requiebros, and Hexagon. Gary contends that the most important preparation for working with Encore’s talented young performers and technicians was his time as a counselor at Michigan’s Camp Tamarack.
Kevin A. Curry (Sound Consultant) is currently retired from The Boeing Company. Over the last 40+ years, Kevin has worked on over 350 productions for both professional and community theaters. In that time, he has had 10 Alliance of Community Theater nominations for Best Lighting, Set Design, or Special Effects. He has won four times, most recently in 2003 for Springfield Community Theatre’s production of Godspell, for which he also earned a nomination for Best Lighting from WATCH.
Riley Dennis (Stage Manager) is excited to be stage managing for the third time as well as working on a world premiere show. He has previously stage managed Annie Jr and Treasure Island and was Lumiere in Beauty and The Beast Jr in January.
Aidan Pritchard (Front Of House Manager) is thrilled to be the Front of House Manager for What Makes a Winner. His second time on Front of House Crew, he has loved interacting with patrons more directly. This is his eighth Encore production and his twentieth overall. In addition to having served twice on Backstage Crew, previous acting credits include Lendall in Almost, Maine, Mr. Green in Clue, and Harlequin/Grovel in Commedia Cinderella. A senior at Washington-Liberty High School, he enjoys singing and studying foreign languages when not in the theater. He hopes you enjoy the show!
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.
Madaline Langston (Programs Director) 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.
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.
Kelley O’Dell (Development Director) joined Encore in late 2019 to coordinate individual, corporate, and foundation giving after prior work in nonprofit organizations and government agencies. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in nonprofit management from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Liv Wilson (Programs Coordinator) is a dramaturg, playwright, librettist, and theatremaker based out of Washington, D.C. Their work has been seen at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, Boise State University, The University of Texas at El Paso, The College of William & Mary and at The Premiere Theatre Playwriting Competition. Liv is the recipient of the Howard Scammon Prize for Drama and the Martin Jurow Theatre Arts Award for artistic excellence. She has worked as the dramaturg for Ford's Theatre, Cadence Theatre Company's Sitelines BLM series, and several independent works developed by artists across the country, including two new musicals at The Tank. Liv received their Bachelor's degree in History from The College of William and Mary in 2021 and is a recent National Theatre Institute alum.
Cleo Potter they/she (Production Coordinator) is excited to join the Encore Stage and Studio team, as the new Production Coordinator. Cleo grew up in the Alexandria and Arlington area and attended the College of Wooster, Ohio, majoring in Theatre and Dance. They specialized in stage management and lighting. They are
excited to back in Arlington and getting involved with theatre in their hometown. Outside of theatre Cleo enjoys taking their dog, Lil, on walks around Arlington’s parks and trails.
Matthew Cibak (Arts Apprentice) is a 2019 magna cum laude and Highlander Honors College graduate of Radford University, with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre. As an actor, he has performed in a number of productions including The Wild Party at Greenbelt Arts Center, Jack and Jill and the Wishing Well at Stagecoach Theater Co. and The Importance of Being Earnest at his alma mater, just to name a few. He is more than excited to be working as an Apprentice at Encore!
Brielle Perry (Arts Apprentice) graduated from William & Mary, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature and a minor in creative writing. She led William & Mary’s Writing Resources Center as a Student Administrator and interned at an independent bookshop in Bath, England while completing a semester abroad. She also facilitated improvisational theatre workshops for elementary and secondary-aged students at the York County School of the Arts, mentored residents of the Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center by developing meaningful activities and poetry programming, and served as a summer camp counselor at Camp Highroad Christian Adventure Camp. She has traveled to over fifteen countries and has a passion for spreading the joy and power of language and art with others everywhere.
Amanda Willis (Arts Apprentice) is a recent Alumnus of James Madison University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education. She is a Teaching Artist and Actress who leads with empathy, collaboration, team building, and compassion. Being born and raised just outside of Boston, Amanda is beyond excited to begin her journey as an artist in the DC theatre community. Amanda believes that theatre has the capacity to impact the lives of many and create real world change, and it all starts with the youth.
Congratulations, Zora and the entire cast and crew of What Makes a Winner!
Congrats on your stage debut, Desi! We’re so proud of you!
Love, Your Gellie Crew
We have always been so proud of our Random Animal Singer!
Love Mom & Dad & Lee
Created in honor of Encore's 50th anniversary, the 1967 Circle recognizes donors who support Encore annually at $1000 or more. We hope you'll join us!
Benefactors ($5,000+)
Daniel & Susanne Grooms
Wear Family Charitable Fund
Patrons ($2500+)
The Fried-Wilson Family
Betsy & Walter Lohmann
Brent & Elizabeth McBurney
Paris Sorrell
Angela Walitt
Sustainers ($1000 - $2499)
John Andelin & Virginia Geoffrey
Lauren Bell
The Bloss-Baum Family
Nhia Bolen McColgan
Hope Cooper
Jed Dennis
Kevin & Sara Duke
Fred & Cathie Fagerstrom
Lori Fred
Cassandra Hanley
The Hearne Family
Colleen & Ken Houle
Melissa & John Huston
Jason & Kelly Knott
Jay & Kristyn Lewis
Jane & Eric Massant
The McPherson Holland Family
Daniel Meloy
Nancy Ory & John Adams
Sustainers (contin.)
The Rogus Gould family
Alex & Bonny Sadler
Donald & Mary Strehle
Lisa Sullivan
Claire & David Wade
Ken & Lauri Willner
Edward Wilson
Kenneth D. Woodrow
The Wright Family
This listing includes cumulative giving of $100 or more from January 1, 2022-February 21, 2023. We make every effort to provide accurate acknowledgement for our contributors. We sincerely regret any errors. To make corrections, please email info@encorestage.org.
Donors ($500 - $999)
Anonymous
Martin & Nancy Banks
Alison Burwell
Blake Cestaro
Christy & Donald Cole
Sybille Crystal
Team Davis
Shane & Heather Doucet
Sarah Dunbar
The Egan Family
The Choudhury/Elder Family
Andrea Golden
Munish & Enjoli Goyal
The Haney Family
The Hemmens/Overbeek Family
Jim Horner
Charles Keegan
Rob Germain & Kyeh Kim
Ray Gastelum & Kimberly Kinney
Jay & Kristyn Lewis
Michelle & Jonathan Link
Margo London
The Mackall Family
Sarah McBride
Amy Mills
Rosa Miyares
Kate & Joe Monaghan
Jennifer Morris
Maria O'Donnell & Jason Hutt
Donors (cont.)
Mong & Miguel Penella
The Phoel Family
Mindy Reid
William Ritchie
Abigail Ross
The Stewart Simek Family
The Taylors
The Tilock Family
The Valencic Family
Nicki Warmerdam
The Weber Moore Family
Jeffrey Williams
The Yacobucci Family
Supporters ($250 - $499)
Anonymous
Riham Abuelem
Jeannie & Mark Andress
Todd Armer
Abby Bownas
Ada Karina Bradley
Carolyn Chachkin
Anna Chauvet
Debra Diener
Ariana DiMeo
Susan Fox & Jeff Markowitz
David & Magaly Garcia
Lawrence & Gail Gerry
Heidi Gibson
Kristen & Troy Gilley
Supporters (cont.)
Jill Grove
Aldwyn Hamilton & Jose Cabrera-Macchi
Rebecca & Jim Heaney
Molly & Todd Hermann
The Gupta Oberkirsch Family
Linda Bloss-Baum
Brian & Jill Kettler
Emily Leichtman
Laura London
Mary Mackall
Margaret Moore
Murray Family
The O'Dell Payne Family
Suzanne Perry
Bruce Pickle
Julie M. Peters & G. Evan Pritchard
Kerry & Jeff Ploetz
Jenny Reising & Paul Redifer
Lucinda Robb & Lars Florio
Alex Sadler
The Schaller Family
Regan Smith
Strong Family
Kristin Try
Adrienne Wichard-Edds
The Yeh Family
Contributors ($100-$249)
Anonymous
Alison Acker
Sarah Asimakopoulos
Robin & William Baxter
Melanie Bowen
Nancy Branberg & Andy White
John Buchko
Toni Buranen
Gaylynn Burroughs
Contributors (cont.)
Josh Canary
Aileen & Brandon Christian
Bonny Cochran
Shirah Cohen
Kathleen Dale
Candace & Jeffrey Davis
John Dennis
Michael Digeronimo
Clifford Eichler
Elaine Fide
James Fredricks
Donna Fried
Diana Funk
Robyn Gearey
Jennifer Gellie
Audrey Glynn
Tiffany Godbout
Gregory Gorys
JoAnn Gould
Kristina Graff
Abigail Grantham
Victoria Griftsova
Katherine Hebert
Paul Holland
Kaitlin Johnson
Rachel Kaufman
Stephanie Kilpatrick
Kathy Kodnovich
Tara Isa Koslov & William Alvarado
Rivera
Kelly Krissel
Joan & Craig Lawrence
Lisa Leathwood
Colleen Levine
John & Amy Lewin
Leslie Lynch
Larry McClemons
Contributors (cont.)
Gwendolyn McClintock
Suzette McGrann
Catherine & Kevin Meek
Elizabeth Olchowski
The Parfomak Family
The Pearl Family
Michael and Laura Randers-Pehrson
The Regardies
Katherine Leigh Garland Reid
Paul Reisler
Mary Riedelbach
Carole & Anthony Russo
Contributors (cont.)
Carolyn Sheedy
Jeff & Indu Spugnardi
Dan & Laura DePatch Stern
Annie Sweeney
Liz & Jason Tate
Lionel Taylor
Eileen Vachher
Ellen Vicens
Rafael Villasmil
Linda Woodrow
Tina Worden
In memory of Marcia S. Norins
Thank you to the following funders of our theatre arts education, production, and outreach programming this year!
Government Support
Arlington Commission for the Arts
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Virginia Humanities
Foundation Support
Arlington Community Foundation
Anonymous
Arts Forward Fund/Greater Washington Community Foundation
Dimick Foundation
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation–Art Stars
Heart Sing Foundation
Margaret Abell Powell Fund
Nora Roberts Foundation
Washington Forrest Foundation
We are grateful for the support of the Arlington Community Foundation and its donors for our new works this season.
Fairlington Dental
Iverson Orthodontics
Cindy Kane Photography
Pediatric Associates of Alexandria
Microsoft
Dr. Christine Reardon
Truist Wiley Rein LLP
Congrats Jonah! We are so proud of you!
Love, Mom, Dad, Shoshie and Aaron
Congratulations Ajan! Ever since you were little, you’ve enjoyed making everyone laugh and smile. We can’t wait to watch you do it on stage! We are so proud of you!
With lots of love – Your F an Club –Mom, Dad & Syra
Reva,
Congratulations on your first Encore show! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see you on stage!
Love, Mom, Dad, Lila and Devesh
Monday, April 3, 2023: Luca
Tuesday, April 4, 2023: Trolls
Wednesday, April 5, 2023: Pirates & Fairies
Fee: $90 per day; $450
Thursday, April 6, 2023: Onward
Friday, April 7, 2023: Shrek
Monday, April 10, 2023: Bolt
