Thank God it's THURSDAY!

Ok, so let's try this again! This will be my second time writing this, because the first time was unsuccessful.

This week has been really good. I'm using one of my day's off tomorrow, and Adam and I are going to NC for the weekend. It'll be really relaxing, and I am going for an interview at Lees Mc Cray College to be a stage manager for the summer. We'll see how it goes!

I really dont have too much to write about. The Mark Twain Awards were on Monday night, and they were incredible! I actually got to sit down in a permanent seat the entire time and enjoy all the celebrities and Paul Simon performing live. It was an awsome experience, and I'm really glad I took advantage of the opportunity.

Work has been going well. I've been making a bunch of phone calls to other arts organizations, asking for their annual reports. This has been a good chance to me to work on my phone demeanor and make sure that I present myself as a professional working adult!

In the news, the Mark Twain Prize had a great write up in the Post. In the New York Times, there was an article about American Ballet Theatre, and how there has to be a ton of financial cuts, including eliminating a recently scheduled tour. This is to ensure the stability of the company in the future.

Wow...

So besides this week flying by, today has been a very interesting Friday. Everyone in the office is really chill on Fridays, so I wasn't suspecting anything when David Crossland pulled me, Liana, and Holly into Marie's office. As it turns out, Clarence is being released from his position, and will be leaving today. It's so weird to think he won't be here on Monday. I don't really know exactly what to think of this occurance. I've been here for about half the semester, and I've seen lots of people hired, and now one fired. I guess it happens in every organization. I just wonder how things will function in MG now. How will things be different when there is an Assistant Manager missing? I wonder who will take his position? Maybe Liana...she works so hard.

Anyway, outside of today's sitaution, things are going well. My mid-semester evaluation was really informative. Kara and I had a talk in the Bird Room (which is great, by the way!), and discussed strengths and weaknesses. She was very fair in her critique of me, and I really appreciated her thoughtful remarks. I am taking the comments and using them as learning points with my work ethic. We also discussed fixing up the MG Internship Manual, which I was really hoping I could do. There are a bunch of rituals that were passed down with the interns that I hope to get going again!

So, if things work out, I will be a seat filler at the Mark Twain Prize! I worked my schedule around so that, if I am chosen, I can go. Hopefully... :-)

In the news...The New York Post reports that the Philadelphia Orchestra is getting closer to an agreement, since the mayor has reasoned with the musicians and the management.

No project too difficult!

Things are going well. Last week was not too bad, considering the amount of sleep that I didn't get. Oh well...

Last week was great. I got a lot of my work done. I also had an interview with Bill Matson, so that I could introduce him for the seminar he gave us. He seems like a great theatre manager. I am going to submit my resume to him, so maybe I can Stage Manage here after I am done as an intern. He was really interesting to learn about, and kind of reminded me of myself, and how he didnt aspire to be an arts manager...it just evolved. Here is the introduction I wrote for him:

Bill Matson has been the Terrace Theatre Manager here at the Kennedy Center since 1991. His major responsibility is to have a bird’s eye view of the Terrace Theatre, and make sure everything works as efficiently as possible. Before evolving into a performing arts manager, he was in educational administration for 7 years as the Assistant Dean of the Music School at Catholic University. His duties at Catholic involved producing an annual concert at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall. Through his contact with the Kennedy Center, Bill decided it was time for a change, and applied to be the Assistant Manager at the Concert Hall, a position he held for 3 years before switching to the Terrace Theatre. Bill attended the State University of NY at Fredonia as a Music Major focusing on Vocal Performance and Education, and attended Wesley Theological Seminary for graduate work in Religion and Philosophy.

Please join me in welcoming Bill Matson.

So, the introduction went well, and I enjoyed interviewing him. I'll have to see something at the Terrace Theatre now!

This past Friday, I ate lunch with the Major Gifts office, and we had a really nice time! I normally eat lunch at my desk, so I can get some work done. But since it was Friday, we decided to go eat lunch together. It was such a good time! I found many things I have in common with my fellow co-workers, which is always nice to discover.

In the news...The Washington Post (10/13) announced that the co-founder of Subway will be donating a rare Burmise ruby to the Smithsonian Museum. The ruby is 23.1 carats, and is being donated in memory of his late wife. The New York Post also announced that same day that Frank Gehry (the architect with close ties to Peter B. Lewis, of Progressive Insurance) will be building the performing arts complex at Ground Zero. His designs are very different, and it should be interesting what he decides to do. In the Washington Post (10/14), there was an article examining the "Culture Vulture" program that the WPAS has instituted. The program targets individuals between 21-39, and is meant to increase attendance at arts events by this age group.

TGIF!

Thank god it's Friday!!!!!

The week has creeped by, filled with a TON of research and digging for information. I am so ready for the weekend.

When we had our MG office meeting on Monday, I was greeted with a slew of comments about my reserach, which I was totally happy about! I was finally getting some critique of my work. For the most part, everything was good. I needed some work with putting information under the right heading. Also, I will be working on follow through; putting the file in Tessitura, sending out the email to necessary parties about the potential donor, etc. The research is easy enough to do, but making sure the information gets to the right person is important. I'm really working hard to get all the pieces to the puzzle learned, even though Kara says its not necessary for me to know "everything." Oh well...can't blame me for trying! So now, for 2 of my briefings, its on to someone else! I've done the research to help out, and I'm starting to feel really good about it.

This week hasnt been too productive in terms of events that really meant something. I was given a new project to work on, though. I get to call different arts organizations, and ask for their annual reports. The reason for this tiresome task is to see what other organizations our donors contribute to. It's really neat to talk to people from all over the country, and you get a ton of respect when you mention you are from the Kennedy Center. I guess the critical part is that I was given the new assignment, which is exciting.

I recieved a call from Gregg Henry in Education, who gave me the information to stop by at a rehearsal of "Light of Excalibur." I was really psyched, and I went to RR6 on Thursday morning, but the stage manager was not there to meet with me. I think I will try again next week! :-)

Moving forward to...In the News! The New York Post had two different articles this week about the physical structure of the theatres in NY. The first focused on The Producers, and how two musicians have to sit in the "Sky Pit" to play. There is no room for them to play in the real pit, so they are situated in a room above the theatre where they can read, do their taxes, and balance their checkbooks during a performance. The other article, posted today, discusses how small the seats in Broadway theatres are. Many theatres have not undergone renovations in many years, making the structures in them outdated.

According to the Washington Times, PBS has selected Crystal City as its new headquarters. The City Museum of Washington is not doing well financially, and many people do not get the chance to go and visit. The museum is doing very poorly, and has chosen not to continue forward with the exhibition of "funky furniture" it originally proposed. The artists are less than thrilled.

Getting along...

Ok, so this week has been interesting, but I have gotten all my work done for classes, including my scenework. Work has been going well, and there never seems to be a dull moment here. Today was the end of the Fiscal Year, so there was a party out on the balcony, which was great.

I've been doing a lot better with meeting people, feeling more secure, etc. I will be meeting with Bill Matson, who is the manager for the Terrace Theatre. At our meeting, I will be interviewing him, and have the opportunity to ask him any questions about the production work at KC. I am also working with Deirdre to secure a meeting with her. Everything in that department seems to be going well.

When the Major Gifts office had our meeting on Monday this past week, my boss noticed my good research and compiling abilities. I was really happy that she commented on something I know that is my strong point. Now three of my briefings are on their way to Devo meetings, where the potential donor may be targeted for a gift. It's really exciting to watch all of this happen, knowing you are helping along the way.

A critical incident that occurred outside the KC really made me happy this week. I was working so hard to make my scene for Directing class extra good. After the first showing, I felt that the scene went well, but the professor stopped me on Thursday while I was on campus, and told me that my scene was one of the best in the class. I was so floored because it proved that I can really do this! It's been difficult so far, but I can handle it.

In the news...The Washington Post reports that Photography will now be included in the gallery halls of the National Gallery. Also, the Tivoli Theatre in Columbia Heights has been re-opened. It is a movie theatre, but now the surrounding area has been developed, and the GALA Hispanic Theatre will perform and have offices in the area. The theatre is renovated Italian renaissance style. In the New York Times, there is a debate regarding intellectual property of choreographers, specifically Martha Graham. There are some who do not want her dances performed again, but there is a new production of some pieces that recently went up. Also, the Children's Museum of Manhattan is holding sessions for preschoolers who may have potential to be modern artists. There is a 4 year old who now has gallery showings, and some parents wanted to see if their kids have any talents in that department.