Student performers Malena Davis, Zoe Rocchio and Maggie Keane. Photo by Larry McClemons
Encore Stage & Studio celebrated 48 years of “Theatre by Kids, Theatre for Kids” at its fifth annual Sunny Side Up Benefit Breakfast on April 22. The breakfast was held at the Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington with more than 135 guests in attendance.
The breakfast began with a guest appearance of the White Rabbit (Maggie Keane). Ashby Rushing, a member of Encore’s board of directors, introduced the participant speakers, Carla Astudillo, Thomas Boudreaux, and Paddy Clancy. Astudillo said, “Encore’s greatest asset, in my opinion, is the way that they genuinely and organically see something special in every single person who walks through their doors. They find what makes each student sparkle, and do everything they can to continue the growth of this spark.”
The breakfast program included performances from Encore’s “Cinderella” with Malena Davis and Zoe Rocchio, and a short scene from “Much Ado About Nothing” with Caleb Dunham, Kennedy Cawley, Henry Hubbard and Annie Wood.
Board President Jerry Gidner highlighted Encore’s recently published five-year strategic plan. Last year, Encore entertained more than 14,500 children and their families, including the organization’s record-breaking attendance of 4,432 patrons at “The Little Mermaid” in January 2014. This year, Encore Stage & Studio continues to grow its programs with additional educational and production opportunities such as a new Shakespeare production and expanding their spring break and summer camp programs. Encore Stage & Studio honored Laury Sendek as the 2015 Celeste Groves Award recipient for outstanding volunteer.