Sara Strehle Duke
Executive Director
Sara Strehle Duke (Executive Director) has led Northern Virginia’s largest, award-winning children’s theatre since 2010. She was recognized as one of Leadership
Center for Excellence’s 40 Under 40 in 2015. Previously, she worked for the Arden Theatre
Company in Philadelphia and Round House Theatre in Bethesda. She is a Board member
for Embracing Arlington Arts, a member of Leadership Arlington, Class of 2014, and a
dedicated volunteer with several youth-serving organizations. She is a Phi Beta Kappa
graduate of The College of William & Mary.
Madaline Langston
Director of Programming
Madaline Langston (Director of Programming) has been with Encore
Stage & Studio’s It’s Elementary Program for over a decade and is currently Director of Programming. Madaline is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts
Advanced Theatre program in Washington DC. She began developing her improvisation and classical skills performing at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Madaline later joined the Shakespeare Theatre Company, followed by two National Tours with the John F. Kennedy Center’s programs for children. As a member of the SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity, Madaline has worked on films, industrials, regional and national commercials.
Aileen Pangan Christian Director of Marketing and Design
Aileen Pangan Christian She/Her (Director of Marketing and Design) joined Encore’s administrative team in 2011. She taught dance at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News, VA, and was involved with the KODACHROME dance community and BalletNova Center for Dance. Aileen is an alum of Christopher Newport University. She has worked on films including Step Up 2. Aileen is a certified digital marketing professional through the American Marketing Association and a member of the DC Filipinos Young Professionals.
Kelley O'Dell
Development Director
Kelley O’Dell joined Encore in late 2019 to coordinate individual,
corporate, and foundation giving after prior work in nonprofit organizations and
government agencies. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree with a
concentration in nonprofit management from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and
Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Maureen Bouda
Finance Director
Maureen Bouda joined the Encore team in 2020. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive
public accounting experience including several nonprofit clients. After her time in public
accounting, she worked in London, UK, for a large American multinational company
focusing on financial statement consolidation, Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls, and
process improvements. At Encore, Maureen works closely with our Board of Directors
and Finance Committee to ensure accurate financial records and organizational forecast-
ing. Maureen has a strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and
supports the organization on finance related matters.
Marguerite Williams
Operations Manager
Marguerite Williams joined Encore in 2023. An arts aficionado,
she is excited to be part of nurturing the love of theatre in our communities. She loves
seeing kids’ confidence grow when they take the stage and try something new! She is a
graduate of Yale University and a lifetime member of the Yale Dramat.
Cleo Potter
Production Manager
Cleo Potter they/them (Production Manager) grew up in the Alexandria and Arlington area and attended the College of Wooster, Ohio, majoring in Theatre and Dance. They specialized in stage management and lighting. Cleo is glad to be back in Arlington and involved with theatre in their hometown. Outside of theatre, Cleo takes great joy in their pets; their dog Lil, and kittens Phineas and Ferb. Cleo enjoys taking Lil on the trails around Arlington. Phineas and Ferb love when the feather wand comes out at home.
Derrick Buie
Education Programs Coordinator
Derrick Buie (Education Programs Coordinator) is a graduate of Mercer University with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Theatre. Derrick led Mercer University’s
Theatre troupe and was president of the Alpha Psi Omega Chapter during his senior year. Notable roles include: 12 Angry Jurors (Foreman); The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical (Percy Jackson); The Goat (Ross Tuttle); and Dreamgirls (Wayne/Ensemble).
Derrick was a member of Olney Theatre Center’s 2023-2024 apprentice class, where he honed his teaching artist and community outreach skills.
Emma Crawford
Marketing and Development Coordinator
Emma Crawford She/Her (Marketing & Development Coordinator, Box Office Manager) joined Encore Stage and Studio this season! She has a bachelor's degree in Media Studies from Radford University, where she minored in Theatre. Previously she has worked as a choreographer for Reston Community Center's Young Actors Theatre Camp and Year Round Program, Creative Dance Center's After School Dance Program and Performance Troupe, and various musicals and show choir sets with Loudoun County Public Schools. At Encore, she leads students in the Front of House Crew, as well as works in the office in the Marketing & Design and Development departments.
Parker Nelson
Education Apprentice
Parker Nelson (Education Apprentice) is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. She has worked in theatre education since high school, from Live Arts in her hometown of Charlottesville to Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond. She is so excited to continue working with
young artists to help them find their unique voices as an Encore Apprentice.
Mery Estrella
Education Apprentice
Mery Estrella is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, along with a minor in Social and Human Rights. Throughout her career, she has worked on her performance skills while also deepening her passion for advocacy and social change. Mery is thrilled to be at Encore as an Education Apprentice, where she can combine her love for theater with her dedication to fostering creativity and confidence with kids who also have a passion for the arts!
Lucy Rocchio
Executive Assistant
Lucy Rocchio (she/her) was a cast member in various Encore shows from 2015 to 2019. She graduated from Wright State University with her BFA in Acting where she participated in performing, stage management, and playwriting. She is recently back in the DMV where she completed an ASM Internship with The Keegan Theatre. Now, she is working on the front-of-house team at Signature Theatre and as the Executive Assistant at Encore. She couldn’t be more thrilled to be back at Encore as an employee!
Alex Beach
Marketing Intern
Alex Beach is thrilled to be joining Encore again as an Intern, only
this time virtually from New York! Currently, Alex is a Senior at Long Island University,
where she will soon graduate with a B.F.A. in Arts Management. Outside of academic
life, Alex spends her time participating in her sorority, singing, and going to the gym. She is excited for the opportunity to contribute to the team and hopes you enjoy the show!
