BRIEF HISTORY OF ENCORE

ENCORE began operations in 1983, and was officially incorporated as a New York State not-for-profit corporation in 1986. Since that time, Encore has grown into one of the largest and most respected performing arts agencies in the Northeast, specializing in performances for children's and family audiences. 

The arts are an integral part of the education and development of the whole person, stimulating critical thinking, inspiring a thirst for new ideas, and cultivating a sensitivity to the world as a whole. Encore was created as a service organization to promote cultural awareness, cultural enrichment, and cultural education primarily for children and young people. To accomplish this, Encore carefully seeks out and selects a limited roster of independent professional performing groups and solo artists, in a wide range of disciplines, who have a dedication to presenting performances and workshops for children and family audiences. Encore handles all the promotional, scheduling and booking arrangements for these artists, thus freeing them to concentrate on their artistic endeavors.

Programs are available for public performances for family audiences in large and small theatres, as well as for community centers, camps, libraries, and in-school assembly programs. Workshops and residencies can often be arranged in addition to the stage performances. Teacher study guides are available for all productions.

Encore offers an invaluable service to both the performing groups and the sponsors by handling the business arrangements for the performers, and by carefully previewing, screening and monitoring all programs for the sponsors to assure top quality events.

By offering a balanced roster of different types of productions, Encore can help evaluate your needs and guide you in selecting the best experience for your audience.

A BRIEF TASTE OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ENCORE

"Thank you again for helping me to bring high caliber performances to the Institute. I know I can always depend on you."

—Popenhusen Institute, College Point, NY

"When I am looking for programming, Encore is usually the first place I look. You run a very professional organization, all of your talent is top shelf, and it is a pleasure to work with you."

—St. Gregory Barbarigo School, Garnerville, NY

"The Candlewood Playhouse has found Encore's productions to be very cost-effective, and always a sure hit."

—Candlewood Playhouse, New Fairfield, CT

"What a pleasure it is to do business with you. The scheduling of performers has always been professionally and accurately handled. We have consistently been pleased and entertained."

—Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ

"The best show we have ever had!"

—repeated by dozens and dozens of sponsors throughout the Northeast.

A BRIEF SAMPLING OF VENUES WHERE ENCORE'S ARTISTS HAVE PERFORMED

Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ
Candlewood Playhouse, New Fairfield, CT
Tribeca Performing Arts Center, New York, NY
Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, Nyack, NY
Newport Opera House, Newport, NH
Proctor's Theatre, Schenectady, NY
Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT
Polka Dot Playhouse, Bridgeport, CT
Theatre-By-the-Sea, Matunuck, RI
Cape Playhouse, Dennis, MA
Pasquerilla Arts Center, Johnstown, PA
Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck, NY
Shea Theatre, Turner Falls, MA
Dutchess County Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Richard Stockton Performing Arts Center, Pomona, NJ
Rose Lehrman Performing Arts Center, Harrisburg, PA
Junior Museum, Troy, NY
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA

...and many, many more theatres, colleges and performing arts centers, as well as thousands of schools, libraries and recreation facilities!

May we add your name to the list?

BACKGROUND OF ENCORE'S DIRECTORS

Roberta Wolinsky (Executive Director) grew up on Long Island; she graduated from Oceanside High School, and went on to earn a BS in Marketing from Long Island University, CW Post College.

Roberta has over 12 years experience in the education market.  She has been an integral part of the management team of major companies within the industry.  Her expertise includes many aspects of print media specializing in catalog and brochures.  Roberta has an extensive background in dealing with schools, and organizations in terms of matching curriculum needs with budgets.  

Roberta has been a supportive member of PTA, and involved in community events and organizations.  As a mother of 2 college graduates, she has been attending children and family theater performances for over 25 years.   As a result she offers the unique experience of a mother, along with the perspective of a businesswomen understanding the needs of the children, performers and sponsors.

Fred Wolinsky (Founder and past Director) grew up on Long Island, and was always interested in the performing arts. He graduated Oceanside High School and went on to earn a BA in Theatre Arts in 1974, from Trinity College, Hartford, CT. He was one of the few people in his class to be selected to attend the National Theatre Institute of the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theatre Center in Waterbury, CT, where he learned from professionals in all aspects of theatre—acting, directing, singing, dancing, design, and puppetry.

Fred has worked professionally in New York City, summer stock, and on the road, as an actor, director, producer, playwright, magician, and puppeteer, as well as conducting theatre workshops for children.

In 1979, he founded Pegasus Productions, which produced and toured life-sized puppet shows around the country. The rapid growth and acclaim of Pegasus, led sponsors to ask him to recommend other shows of similar quality. In response, he carefully sought out other performing groups which offered the artistic excellence and professional integrity on which he would be proud to stake his reputation. This spun off into a separate not-for-profit service agency, and ENCORE was officially formed.  Mr. Wolinsky became its first Executive Director.

As ENCORE continued to grow, Fred sold Pegasus Productions to devote his full time and attention to his responsibilities at ENCORE. He has assisted many of the performers on Encore's roster in creating new material, formulating their shows, and targeting their programs for the appropriate audience.  His keen eye for talent and proficient organizational skills have shaped ENCORE into what it is today. 

Fred has since handed over the reigns of the company to Roberta, and now enjoys his career as a nationally certified sign language interpreter.

ENCORE's home page | Roster of ENCORE's performers | Information about fees and availability