Here at the end of the week, I bring you another exciting alumni interview! Abby Huston was an actor and stage manager with Encore for many years, and we are so excited to get an update from them.
Introduce yourself to the blog! How were you involved with Encore?
Hi there! I’m Abby, I started at Encore trying out for cast and crew when I was 11, and stage managed my first show at Encore as a senior in high school!
What’s your proudest moment at Encore?
The proudest moment I had at Encore has to be the first show I got into. The first couple I tried out for I did not make the cast, so when I was cast I was over the moon. I was a double cast as Scarlet Fever Virus and Real Rabbit in the Velveteen Rabbit and I floated around in a red poncho when not in a bunny suit.
Can you describe an Encore “core” memory?
I really loved doing The Brother’s Grimm. The cast got really close so a lot of the rehearsals and backstage moments was spent building friendships. I think that show stood out especially because we got to perform a matinee on the Mall in DC as a part of the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was beautiful to perform around all those flowers, and the show was one of the more comedic shows I was a part of, so I got to try out an earnest, unassuming comedic role as Cindy (Cinderella). Prince Charming was written as a New Yorker Italian American which was also fun, because my family is Italian American. We had to work out blocking where my character clumsily got his fingers stuck in a closing umbrella, which was more difficult than most blocking I had done before, and really rewarding when we got it down.
What lessons did you take away from your time at Encore?
I think getting off book is such a great skill to take on and accomplish as a kid, and I’m sure helped my brain in ways that are still with me as an adult. Being a part of the tech crew was also critical for problem-solving and thinking on your feet, and gave me a lot of confidence to work with power tools. In college, I studied Sculpture and Extended Media, and became a wood and metal shop monitor because of my prior experience. I still monitor a metal shop at the local visual arts center, and have even decided to start a business of my own. I never used tools at home growing up, so that trajectory I can credit Encore with.
Can you share with us your singer/songwriter journey?
Oh wow, I didn’t even think about that in your last question. Before Encore I would not have sung in front of anyone, at least not without a choir or ensemble. I think acting helped me express emotions that I didn’t get to every day, which has been the best part of performing songs I’ve written. I mostly write about true thoughts and feelings I am working through, and how I feel about situations evolve so much as I perform them over time. I get to understand myself, singing about old feelings while living through new ones, seeing how I’ve changed and what has become ironic or true in a way I didn’t expect. It motivates you to keep writing and performing, even when you don’t see accolades.
What current projects are you working on?
Lately I’m working on a store in downtown Richmond! I met a man who owns a storefront that’s been empty, that he used to run a jewelry shop out of. There are a lot of tools and stones for me to use to make jewelry so I am working on a collection and displays, but I am trying to think about how the space can be more communal for artists like me. I have a friend who works in a tattoo shop, and I think I want the business to be modeled after tattoo parlour businesses, where people come in to connect with any number of individual designers, either for something custom in the style of that artist or something the artist has pre-drawn. In the tattoo world premade designs are called “flash” which I think is a fun term to use for jewelry too. I’ve never dreamed of being an entrepreneur so there is a lot of newness involved, but I’m grateful to be moving towards a new adventure to be excited about.
How would you describe your music?
That’s tough. It’s undeniably soft and airy, vocally. I pull any interesting guitar chords I can find from jazz and bosa nova, but write simple songs and just try to use a small number of them at a time. Everything is made up with no knowledge of music theory but what my ears can provide, which keeps me on my toes. I think most people who listen to music can have a good idea of what order to put the notes in without training, although it may take longer.
Who are a few artists you listen to or are inspired by?
We love Chappell Roan at our house, although she hasn’t inspired any new music. I love Cleo Sol, Syd from The Internet, Corrine Bailey Rae, Lianne La Havas, Hiatus Kaiyote, Gretchen Parlato. I used to focus on music local to where I’m living in Richmond, but I’ve become a homebody since having a baby and don’t know what’s happening outside.
What’s one hobby or interest you wish you got to talk about more?
I don’t know if raising a baby counts as a hobby or interest, but that’s at the forefront of my day-to-day. My little guy doesn’t speak very much so we use a lot of singing and reading to get him to practice using his words. He’s a nut and full of love. He’s beautiful. Very few of my friends have babies, so I feel like I talk about the whole experience too much sometimes, but it is a part of everything I do now. Now I go to the library multiple times a week, and have ceased to have uninterrupted thoughts. It’s just living, so I’ll concede it’s not a hobby. Getting him on the pot, helping little toy farmers find their toy chickens. Very important living.
Our season this year is all about courage– how has theatre/performing taught you courage?
I love that the season is themed! And what a great theme. I’ve had stage fright since I started, which taught me you can always pour that energy into preparing. The nerves are always worth it to get to perform. The way seeing and performing theatre has affected me, I know it’s a beautiful thing to share.
Lastly, we’re having an Encore alumni reunion at Footloose this summer, will you be there? If not, do you have any wisdom you want to share with our community?
Oh wow, I’d love to! That sounds like a blast. I know the music, but I’ve never seen Footloose! I’ll go with my mom. No wisdom whatsoever.
Thanks for sharing your memories and updates with us, Abby! If you haven’t already, check out our other recent alumni interviews on the blog, and keep an eye out for more coming next month!
Photos by Larry McClemons or provided by Abby Huston. Blog contribution by Parker Nelson.