Next up on the Directors Assemble! interview series, highlighting the student directors of Encore Stage & Studio’s 2026 Student Directed One-Act Plays, we have Ajan G. This will be Ajan’s 20th show with Encore, and we are excited to share with you all the details of the production he will be directing: Post Its (Notes on a Marriage). Stick with us to learn more!
Hi Ajan! What is your history like at Encore Stage & Studio, and what are you looking forward to making the step to direct your first show?
I have been in thirteen shows at Encore, as well as written a Flip the Script show, and performed in one. I’ve done a bunch of other camps too. I am super duper excited to direct! I’ve done every other part of theater at Encore and I wanted to try something new! I also think that it is a fun new way to creatively express myself. I’m looking forward to meeting all the new people and getting to collaborate on them to create something that people can come and enjoy.
What are your favorite aspects of theatre?
I like all of it! I really like to be in musicals, because singing and dancing is awesome, plus you get to make so many new friends. I also really like tech, especially at Encore because everyone is so welcoming and they have the students do almost everything, which, to me, is really fun because then I can watch the show and see, “Oh, I did that!”
What is Post Its (Notes on a Marriage)about and why did you chose to direct it?
Post Its (Notes on a Marriage) follows a couple throughout their entire life together, through the Post Its that they leave for each other. I chose this show because I feel that it is a really good mix of a comedy and drama.
What do you think people will take away from the show you’re directing?
I think that people will take away the emotional aspects of my show. My show is pretty sad, and I really hope that through my directing I can get people to love the characters and understand their stories in such a short amount of time. I think the script does a lot of this work, but I want to work a lot on the subtext of the words that you are saying, with every word having multiple meanings.
Who is a director that inspires you and why?
I am inspired by my director at school, Hope. She really teaches me how to be a good actor and director. I love her lessons because they are a perfect mix of interactivity and talking.
What advice do you have for future student directors at Encore Stage & Studio?
Have fun and enjoy the process!
Thank you Ajan for the inside scoop on your Encore Student Directorial Debut! If you want to catch Post Its (Notes on a Marriage) and the rest of the plays by our talented student directors, you can buy tickets here for our production that will run from April 17-19 at Theatre on the Run in Arlington, Virginia. We hope to see you there!
Ajan G. (He/Him) is a sophomore at the HB Woodlawn and this is his twentieth show!! Some of his favorite roles are Puffs (Wayne),The Imaginary Invalid (Cleante), and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Deputy). He would like to thank Juliette and Kyra for being an amazing cast and to his parents for driving him everywhere.
Photos courtesy of Emma Crawford, and provided by Ajan.