A lovely #FrontRowFriday to all of you Encore fans out there! Any reader of The Front Row is a Valentine of mine, that’s for sure. As you celebrate this cheerful holiday, we’re happy to share an interview with one of the most cheerful students we know: Lauren Maho has performed in many Encore season productions, participated in numerous summer camp programs, and, as you’ll soon learn, has also played a valuable part of our summer camp team. Welcome Lauren!
Encore: Please briefly introduce yourself. How have you been involved with Encore in past seasons?
Lauren: I’m Lauren Maho. I’m 17 years old and currently a junior at TC Williams High School in Alexandria. I grew a love for theatre, specifically musical theatre, at Encore’s Stage Door camps from 2015-2018 and Center Stage in 2019, in addition to some seasonal productions.
Encore: Which camps did you work or volunteer for? Which age groups did you work with?
Lauren: I worked the Scenes For Tweens Tragedy vs. Comedy camp for ages 8-12 in summer 2018 and Stage Door in summer 2019 for ages 11-15.
Encore: What is your most memorable camp moment?
Lauren: My most memorable camp moment was finishing the Stage Door production of Mary Poppins Jr. last summer and seeing the kids’ faces light up when they saw the whole show finished with lights, sound, and costumes. It was a beautiful moment of accomplishment for myself and everyone involved in that camp.
Encore: What have you learned through working at Encore summer camps?
Lauren: Through working at Encore, I have learned how to be a role model for the kids. It is so wonderful to see different campers from past years at Encore shows and see how they’ve grown.
Encore: Please describe working at Encore camps in five words or short phrases.
Lauren: I can sum up working at Encore in this short phrase: a fulfilling way to spend your summer.
Encore: Anything else you’d like to share?
Lauren: To finish off, I’ll say this: no matter what age group you are working with, you can make a beautiful impact on the lives of your campers in a friendly theatrical environment.
Check out what some of our other summer camp staff had to say after Summer 2019:
“There was a real comradery between the staff and especially between the camp aides which made a fun inspiring and accepting environment in the workplace.”
“[Our camp director] was incredibly supportive of everyone and everything I was doing. When things weren’t going to plan, [they] wouldn’t freak out or anything.”
“He made sure to always check in with us, let us know what was going on and always was supporting us to the max”
“We all worked very well together. If there was ever an issue, we would bring it up immediately and resolve it quickly in order to make camp go as smoothly as possible. I would definitely like to work with them again in the future.”
“It was really great! I’m so happy I was able to have this as my job because it was so much fun! I met so many amazing people and made bonds with so many campers!”
If you live and breathe theatre, enjoying working with young people, love learning new skills, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, Encore Stage & Studio may be just the place for you to work this summer. Applications for camp counselors, teaching artists, and choreographers are now open.
Applicants for the paid camp counselor positions must be at least 16 years old by June 1, 2020. Applicants for Counselor-in-Training volunteer positions must be at least 14 years old by June 1, 2020. Students who worked as a camp aide in summer 2019 may apply to be a camp counselor.
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Shannon McCarthy, and Cindy Kane Photography.
Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.