Hello again, Front Row Readers! And goodbye, at least, for now.
Today is my last day as the Arts Management Intern for Encore so, I would like to share a little bit about what this summer has been like for me and what I’ve learned. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this blog post.
My first day on the job is now a blur. I started in the box office for the second weekend of Alice in Wonderland. I remember being confused by the ticketing system, amazed at the how the staff calmly got everyone through the doors to see the show, and how nice everyone was to the new intern who also happened to be on crutches. The rest of the weekend, I learned. I learned how to sell tickets, how the front of house crew sets everything up, and about how the Encore mission shines through the actions of its members.
Once I got into the office, I got to talk to Aileen, the fabulous Marketing Manager, about what I was going to do for the rest of the summer. Some of the things on the list were: put up all the past seasons on the website, create an alumni database, start the Encore Tumblr, and write; write press releases, blog posts, show blurbs. There was lots of writing. It felt like I would have to be in the office 24/7 just to attempt to get it all done. And getting stuff on the website? I had never looked at a line of code in my life.
Well, I didn’t have to live in the office. With Aileen’s help and guidance I learned some basic HTML and got going on the past seasons (which can all be found here ). Creating the database was easy once I got the seasons done. The Tumblr was just fun. I got to write content, find things and reblog things that are funny or cute or both (you can check out the Tumblr here ). The writing? I love writing. That was just fun for me.
By the time the first weekend of Shrek rolled around, I knew what I was doing in the box office and could answer almost every question that was posed to me at the information table. Plus, I wasn’t on crutches which just makes the whole weekend a lot easier. 
But, there was so much more to this summer. I am now a published photographer. I have tried to use Photoshop, although it is still a little intimidating. I can handle a box office rush and help out the front of house crew when things are a little nutty. I have even made some changes to the website that help make it easier to use on the go. However, the most important thing that happened this summer is that I have fallen in love with Arts Administration.
Apparently, when you love what you do then you never work a day in your life. I have loved coming to work everyday this summer and doing what I can to help here at Encore. I loved watching the summer camp performances. I loved creating a whole new way to engage with Encore participants, parents, and theatre goers. I loved working with the fantastic staff here. Needless to say, there has been a lot of love in all I have gotten to do for Encore.
So as much as this post is about sharing what I’ve learned, it’s also a huge thank you. Thank you Encore. Thank you Aileen and everyone else. But, also, thank you to you Encore members and patrons!
If you are curious about some of those photos I took, you can check them out here:
