With a Star-bucks hot chocolate in my hand, no work to do and the skies outside looking greyer than ever, there couldn’t be a more perfect afternoon to write my first blog post here at DUO.
Where it all began.
As it seems, I’ve approached that age where I am too old for trick or treating and yet too young to know anything (according to my mother) and with age of course, comes responsibility. This year, my career choice has been one of the biggest burdens sitting on my shoulders. I definitely knew I wanted to be involved in art but I wasn’t sure which field specifically. So, Co-Op was the first solution that came to mind.
My Co-Op teacher, David Langer, had mentioned DUO to one of my classmates who is also interested in arts management. However, she was leaning more towards theatre production. So when she declined I eagerly asked my teacher about DUO. “You’ll love working there,” he said. “They’re a very nice, collaborative team.” “Alright,” I said. “Whatever you say!” Two weeks later, I found myself in an interview with the Executive Director Christine Moynihan. To cut a long story short, I was filled with nerves and more than intimidated by the entire circumstance. In the most formal blazer I could find and hair sprayed solid, I took a seat in front of Christine and the first thing she said to me was, “Would you like some salad? I hope you don’t mind a sort of informal interview.” (She was eating lunch at the time.) In that very moment I concluded, “This is going to be awesome.”
The building is beautiful, filled with calming colors and quotes that make you want to sit outside and contemplate life. My co-workers (I’m not sure if that’s what I should call them, but anyways) are completely down to earth and comfortable to hang around. The vibe here is so welcoming that it’s kind of mind-boggling. If you’re like me and have ever wanted to build a fully functional tree-house way up high on some sort of secluded island just to read, write and work — then that sucks because it’ll probably never happen. But I swear, DUO is the next best thing.
Since working at DUO, I’ve completed a range of various tasks. I began with some databases, entering and editing contact information. Then I transitioned into database entries, and later found my self doing database entries. As you can tell, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Christine approached me before I left one afternoon and let me know I’d hopefully get something more fun to do. Since then, I’ve done commercials, trailers, artist profiles, newsletters, WebPages and invites. Editing videos has been one of my favorite things to do here because it allows me to express my creativity to my fullest extent, professionally. It’s kind of like giving me a bucket of paint with a blank canvas and saying, “Go crazy… but have it done in a week.” Which contrary to what you may think, I really did enjoy. After all, art is a discipline.
Mind you, working in arts management is not always just scissors and construction paper. Sometimes the work requires research, phone calls, emailing, consultations and hours of staring at the computer screen just to put together something so seemingly simple. However, I’ve never once dreaded the thought of coming in to DUO. I’ve always found myself so interested and willing to do the work I’m provided. In fact, it’s a little exciting sometimes to think that my work is what aids the foundation for a show. For example, Older & Reckless is coming up soon and I’ve so far helped create invites, put together the program and made a few videos to help promote the show. Is it odd that I get psyched about these kinds of things? If not, I think I’ve found my calling.
The first semester of my Co-Op is almost complete, which leads me to decide whether to stay here, or move on -enter dramatic sound effect here-. DUO in one word is out-standing and I love the pride that working in an arts management company provides you. Knowing that you are, in some way, the backbone to dancers everywhere; it’s kind of inspiring. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t think I’m ready to leave yet. Things have been going beautifully here but it’s only just the beginning.
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