A Meaningful Understudy Night at Encore

Understudy nights are always special, but this one carried particular significance for Encore Performing Arts.

We are proud to celebrate Ava and Brayden for their outstanding performances as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Jacob Marley during our recent understudy performance of A Christmas Carol. These roles have been traditionally portrayed by Adam Cheney for the past four years, making this the first performance in which Adam intentionally stepped aside to allow young artists to take on these iconic characters.

Ava and Brayden approached their roles with maturity, preparation, and emotional depth, honoring the story while making the characters their own. Their performances were a powerful reminder of what young artists are capable of when they are trusted, mentored, and given meaningful opportunities.

We are incredibly grateful to Adam Cheney for his generosity as a mentor. His guidance, encouragement, and willingness to step back so others could step forward exemplifies the heart of Encore’s Show with a Pro program. This initiative exists to connect young artists with seasoned professionals who model excellence, humility, and collaboration both on and off the stage.

Alongside Corbin Allred and our dedicated creative team, Adam continues to demonstrate what true mentorship looks like—investing in the next generation of performers while maintaining the highest artistic standards.

Moments like this are why we do what we do. They represent growth, trust, and the passing of the torch in a supportive, professional environment. We are proud of Ava and Brayden, thankful for our mentors, and excited to continue creating opportunities that allow young artists to rise.

Another meaningful milestone for our cast, our program, and our community.