Theatre By Kids, For Kids!
Encore Stage & Studio inspires young people to develop the creativity, empathy and confidence they need to create meaningful connections with peers and have a positive impact in their communities.
Coming Soon: The Addams Family
July 17-26, 2026
.We're welcoming a new family to Encore. Meet The Addams Family! Wednesday Addams falls in love with a ‘normal’ boy and brings his family home to meet her delightfully eccentric relatives. When the two families come together for one unforgettable dinner, secrets spill, tempers flare, and love works its unexpected magic. Full of humor, kookiness, and heart, this musical celebrates family, acceptance, and embracing the people you call home… even if they’re a little unusual. Recommended for ages 8 and older.
these Summer Camps Starting Soon
July is packed with theatrical adventures at Encore Stage & Studio! Our summer camps are in full swing, giving young performers the chance to act, sing, dance, create, and make lasting friendships in a fun and supportive environment. Whether they're stepping onto the stage for the first time or building on their experience, every camp is designed to spark creativity and grow confidence. Summer is flying by, so don't miss the chance to make this month a standing ovation worthy adventure!
About Encore
Children's Theatre in Arlington, VA — Where Kids Build
Creativity,
Confidence, and
Empathy
Encore Stage & Studio inspires young people to develop the creativity, empathy, and confidence they need to make meaningful connections with peers and have a positive impact in their communities — through year-round theater camps, classes, productions, and more for ages 3 through college in Arlington and Alexandria, VA.
Founded 1967, Free to perform, Every kid welcome!
No fee to audition or participate in school-year productions — a donation is requested but never required
Programming for every age from 3 to college: summer camps, after-school, weekend classes, and mainstage productions
Every production role — onstage, backstage, front of house, and technical — belongs to a student
A supportive, inclusive community where young people learn to collaborate, take creative risks, and discover their own voices
Alumni working professionally in theater, film, and stage management across the country
Programs
Find Your Place at Encore
Take a Class
From Pre-K creative drama to acting, musical theatre, movement, and storytelling, our theatre classes help students build skills in a supportive, welcoming environment.
See a Show
Experience family-friendly theatre performed by kids, for kids. Our productions bring classic stories, new adventures, and student talent to Arlington stages throughout the year.
Audition for a Production
School-year performance opportunities are open to students ages 9–18. There is no required fee to participate, and auditions are open to young performers with all levels of experience.
Creativity
At Encore, creativity takes center stage. Through theatre games, storytelling, movement, and imaginative play, kids are encouraged to explore ideas, take creative risks, and discover their own unique voices.
Confidence
Encore Stage & Studio offers hands-on experiences in performance, production, and teamwork where kids build confidence that carries far beyond the theatre, into school, friendships, and their wider community.
Empathy
At Encore, kids learn empathy by stepping into someone else’s story. In a supportive, collaborative space, young artists build compassion, respect, and understanding, skills that stay with them long after the curtain comes down.
60 Years of Children's Theatre in Arlington, Virginia
Encore Stage & Studio was founded in 1967 as the Children's Theatre of Arlington. For six decades, we have offered performing arts for kids across the DC metro without charging families to participate in school-year productions. We have grown from a single program into a year-round organization serving families in Arlington, Alexandria, Washington DC, and McLean — and we have never moved the stage out of reach. We run summer theater camps, weekend classes, after-school programs, holiday mini-camps, private lessons in piano, voice, and acting, school residency programs for Arlington and Alexandria elementary schools, and touring productions that go directly into schools. Every part of what we do connects back to our vision: a space where any child — regardless of experience or background — can learn, grow, and discover what they're capable of.
More Ways to Be Part of Encore Stage & Studio
Theatre Classes
Weekend and semester classes for ages 3 through teens, organized by age group and experience level.
Holiday Mini-Camps
Theater mini-camps on school-off days, running for 15+ years across Arlington and Alexandria.
Birthday Experiences
Backstage tours, meet-the-cast access, and group packages tied to real mainstage productions.
Private Lessons
One-on-one instruction in piano, voice, and acting with Encore's professional teaching artists.
