Today we are bringing you the first in a two part interview series with the current Encore Apprentices, Mery and Parker. We are reaching the end of our time here, but before we go, we want to leave you with a glimpse into our experiences and what we have learned. In this interview, Mery asked Parker for her insights into her time at Encore since she started last September, and next time we will hear about Mery’s experience, so stay tuned for that one!
Mery: I know just like me, you got your degree in Musical Theater (twinsies). What skills obtained from pursuing a degree in the arts have you found to be most useful in your current role as an Education Apprentice?
Parker: There are tons of skills that I used and learned in the academic sphere that I have also used in my role here. The first one to come to mind is the practice of collaboration. In my theatre training, I had to work together with my cohort to reach different goals and create different final showcases. Now, in the office, it is helpful to be able to help my coworkers or ask for help to work together toward a common goal. I also use improvisation all the time! Sometimes lesson plans go sideways and I need to figure out something to do, so it’s good to be able to think on my feet and bring out games and exercises from my back pocket.
Mery: I can’t believe all the elements that go into operating a nonprofit! It requires a lot of work (and tons of patience). What surprised you most about your first year working in the field of nonprofits and performing arts?
Parker: It has surprised me just how many different kinds of tasks I have done! Of course, I teach students in our evening classes or school residencies, but there is a lot I do behind the scenes and in the office in addition to teaching. I have worked with our marketing department to draft graphics and create blog content, I have helped schedule interviews for summer hiring, and I have done research about our student population to help us understand the communities we reach. Encore has a small but mighty full-time staff, so we get to help in a lot of different ways!
Mery: I feel as though most people don’t know about the different branches one can go into within the arts. How do you think teaching or working in performing arts education differs from other jobs in the arts?
Parker: Working in performing arts education requires teachers to not only know different levels of theater concepts, but be able to communicate them to different age groups. There is a difference between knowing how to embody a character and teaching a student to embody a character. It takes patience and creativity to teach theater, because you will often work with kids whose brains work differently than your own, so you must be able to try new tactics to teach a concept until it is accessible for that student.
Mery: We get to do so much in this role daily, from working with kids to planning to marketing. What has been the most rewarding moment of your first year?
Parker: The final performances for classes or residencies are such a great moment for me as a teacher because I get to step back and watch the students run the show. All the work we have put in as a team is worth it when students get an opportunity to shine on stage. There’s really nothing like it. I have also had the pleasure of assistant directing The Wizard of Oz, so I am looking forward to the final weekend of shows and seeing all the kids’ hard work be shared with audiences.
Mery: You’re always doing a multitude of things here at Encore! How do you balance all the roles within your apprenticeship?
Parker: I need visual reminders for all my responsibilities, so I get a lot of use out of my notebook and calendar. Any time I have a new task, I write it down. It is such a great feeling to physically cross something off in my notebook, and even better when I finish everything on a page and can turn to a new one. A lot of my tasks get prioritized based on what class is soonest or what deadline is coming up. There are times when I have so much going on with rehearsals that I cannot do any administrative tasks, but other times I will have days with no classes when I can catch up or work ahead for everything else. The most important thing is communicating with each of my superiors when I have extra time I can offer them or when I need them to cover for me.
Mery: I know you’re getting ready for the next chapter of your life soon. What advice would you give to students currently studying performing arts who don’t know what they want to pursue after school?
Parker: My advice is to just give something a try! If I’ve learned anything this year, it is that a year flies by, and your first job does not need to be something you commit to for 10 years. There is nothing stopping you from doing several completely different jobs in the first few years after graduating. It can actually be very limiting to only look at jobs that are “theater” jobs, but you are equipped with many transferable skills from being in the performing arts, so look at other industries that align with your interests and give something a try!
Mery: What are your hopes or goals/plans after your apprenticeship? You’re also getting married! (woohoo!) How do you think married life will affect that?
Parker: I’m staying in the DMV area and looking for jobs that excite me but also give me the freedom to get back to performing! That is my main passion, so I look forward to auditioning at all the awesome theaters in the area. And yes, I’m getting married! My fiancé and I are excited to put down roots in the area and get involved in the community. Married life will affect my career by giving me a permanent cheerleader at all my performances!
Mery: You are the tongue-twister master. What is your ultimate warm-up tongue-twister?
Parker: My favorite warm up is a series of nonsense words that cover every consonant and vowel sound. It is super silly, but it also forces students to really listen because it doesn’t make any sense! I learned it when I was a student at a community theater in Charlottesville, where I grew up, and I am a bit protective of it so it only passes by word of mouth. Since that feels a bit unfair to our readers, here is my second favorite tongue twister, which I actually learned from Mr. Derrick, our Education Programs Coordinator:
She sells seashells by the sea shore. The shells she sells are seashells, I’m sure. So if she sells seashells by the sea shore, I’m sure she sells sea shore shells.
Thanks for tuning into Mery and Parker’s Apprentice Reflection and Conversation today, be sure to keep an eye out for Mery’s interview coming soon! We would also like to remind you that The Wizard of Oz is open now and running until June 8th, so don’t miss it! Get your tickets now! To get you excited for the show, we leave you with a picture of Parker as Dorothy in her school’s production of The Wizard of Oz (many years ago).
