Opportunities

We are seeking students who are leaders. Casting will be ages 9-18, same as a mainstage production. One Acts will be roughly in the 10-20 minute range. All one acts will/must be approved by the Encore production team. If you do not have a One Act in mind we will provide a list of approved choices.

Jim Clancy will serve as your adult director guiding you through the process of learning to direct. Filling out the application is not a guarantee of acceptance. Applicants will also sit down for an interview with Jim and Cleo. Interviews will be in mid-January.

There will be a mandatory all directors meeting on February 4, 2026.

Auditions will be on March 10th. Performances will be at Theatre on the Run April 17-19, 2026.

Please email our Production Manager, Cleo Potter (cleo.potter@encorestage.org) with any questions.

We are looking for students ages 13+ who are team players and passionate for theatre. Service hours are 8:30 am-4:15 pm and camp takes place in North Arlington (3701 Lorcom Ln Arlington, VA 22207).

Volunteering is a great way to get to know different aspects of Encore as well as get to know other students. Volunteering for Encore camp also promotes leadership opportunities by mentoring younger kids! This is a great opportunity if you need volunteer hours for school, college applications, and/or community service. 

The Stage Manager is responsible for working with the production staff, cast, and crew to create a well-organized and exceptional show. The SM supports the director in all rehearsals by taking blocking notes, keeping time, etc. and the technical director during tech week and performances.

This position requires excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to cooperate and coordinate with others. The Stage Manager should be able to multi-task efficiently and stay calm under pressure.

Applicants must be in high school and at least 14 years old by the audition week of the production for which they are selected. Preference may be given to older students. At a minimum, a student needs to have worked at least four shows on Encore’s crew prior to applying to serve as a Stage Manager (one show as the Light or Sound Operator, one show as an Assistant Stage Manager, and one show training in addition to one other crew position.)

Students should plan to submit an application during the season before they would like to serve as a Stage Manager. It is also strongly suggested that interested students speak with the Technical Director and Production Coordinator to express their interest prior to applying.

2026/2026 Application coming soon.

Encore Stage & Studio is seeking experienced Teaching Artists for the 2026/2027 school year.  You’ll work across a variety of Encore’s classes, camps, school residencies, and workshops for children and youth ages 3 - 18. Your typical activities may include:

• Independent teaching and/ or being on the teaching team for our in-house and in-school programming
• Designing age-appropriate lesson plans and activities. Organize and lead rehearsals, games, arts and crafts, and other activities designed to help students learn, expend energy, and work in groups.
• Implement all Encore policies and safety procedures.
• Supervise teaching assistants and volunteers as requested. 

What’s In It For You

• Encore is dedicated to a professional and engaged work environment where you will be a valued team member. Enrichment classes and school residency programs typically take place Monday-Friday afternoons between 2:00 - 6:00 pm. This position is an independent contract opportunity.   
• Pay is dependent on length and duration of assigned programs. Typical hourly teaching rate is $19-24 per hour. 

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking an energetic, imaginative, and organized individual with a passion for working with children daily. Applicants with specific skills and/or certifications in dance, movement, musical theatre, directing, and stage combat are particularly encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• A commitment to and understanding of Encore Stage & Studio’s Mission, Vision, and Values
• Previous teaching experience
• Creativity and flexibility, coupled with strong classroom management abilities
• A team player with good time management and follow-up skills, a demonstrated ability to take initiative, and handle multiple projects concurrently.
• An excellent communicator with the ability to speak and write clearly.
• A problem-solver who thinks critically and plans strategically.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and take initiative.

This position will report to work at various programming locations in Arlington and Fairfax Counties, the Cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, and Washington, DC, as well as Encore's administrative office location in Arlington.

We strongly encourage people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, identities, and abilities to apply. Encore is an equal opportunity employer. 

If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@encorestage.org.  Please include “Teaching Artist 2026/2027” in the subject line.  

Encore Stage & Studio seeks a dynamic, skilled Choreographer/Dance Teaching Artist. This position provides an opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience working with a nonprofit educational theatre company.

Applicants must have previous experience teaching dance and/or musical theatre for elementary and middle school students. Desired skills include strong interpersonal skills, excellent classroom management, creativity, flexibility, and a passion for working with children. The ability to teach musical theatre dance techniques and styles is required. Preference may be given to candidates who also have a background in choreography.

Teaching Artists must be responsible individuals who are able to work independently and as part of a team of educators to foster creative expression in students. Successful applicants will have experience in designing age-appropriate lesson plans around a provided theme.

This is a contracted position; please indicate your current availability in your cover letter. Encore offers 1, 2, or 3 week contracts, depending on the camp, from June to August with competitive hourly pay. Choreographers/Dance Teaching Artists will be required to submit to a background check and provide proof of vaccination before beginning employment. 

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@encorestage.org with the subject line, “Choreographer/Dance Teaching Artist Application–Your Name.”

Who We Are

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.

Encore Stage & Studio provides educational opportunities for young people throughout Northern Virginia using theatre to bring high-quality, age-appropriate theatrical productions that are staffed by young people to our community and offer a vibrant selection of educational classes, workshops and summer programs, including outreach to underserved children and youth with community partners.

Encore’s story is full of successes on the stage and in the community, including 250 shows with new works in each of the past seven seasons. Our Theatre for All! Fund, created in 2018, enables Encore to enrich the lives of our most vulnerable children through the arts. In 2019, Flip the Script became a cornerstone of our programming with The Day Nothing Happened, a student-devised piece highlighting African-American voices. Now on its third play, Flip the Script recently received a project grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

What You’ll Do

The Board will support the work of Encore Stage & Studio and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by Encore Stage & Studio’s Executive Director (ED), the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board 

Member responsibilities include:

• Leadership, governance and oversight
• Serving as a trusted advisor to the ED as she develops and implements Encore’s strategic plan
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by Encore Stage & Studio for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings
• Approving Encore Stage & Studio’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
• Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the ED
• Assisting the ED and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
• Partnering with the ED and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
• Representing Encore Stage & Studio to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
• Ensuring Encore Stage & Studio’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities Encore Stage & Studio serves

Fundraising

Encore Stage & Studio Board Members will consider Encore Stage & Studio a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that Encore Stage & Studio can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations and individuals, Encore Stage & Studio expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.

Board Terms/Participation

Encore Stage & Studio Board Members will be elected to serve an initial two-year term. After that they are eligible for two additional terms. Board meetings will be held quarterly and committee meetings will be held at a minimum quarterly and more as needed.

What’s In It For You

Joining Encore Stage & Studio’s Board of Directors allows you to help kids fulfill their theatre dreams while you vicariously live yours. It is also an opportunity to work collaboratively with a devoted group while having fun and strengthening your strategy and leadership skills. While serving on Encore Stage and Studio’s Board of Directors is unpaid, you are paying it forward in service to your community.

What We’re Looking For

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Encore Stage & Studio’s mission, theatre, and children.

Ideal candidates will represent the ethnically diverse population we aim to serve and have the following qualifications:

• A commitment to and understanding of Encore Stage & Studio’s mission
• Connections to diverse sectors of our community
• Relationships with business, government and professional associations
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating and building consensus among diverse individuals
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and a passion for arts education

We are specifically seeking skills sets in any of the following areas:

• Communications and Public Relations
• Strategic Planning
• Community Organizing
• Nonprofit Governance
• Educational Curriculum Development
• Fundraising and Development

We strongly encourage people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, identities, career stages and abilities to apply.

If interested, please contact boardsearch@encorestage.org