Journey to the Center of... The Opera Roanoke Storage Closet: Part II

Day 7. I'm running low on food and water. I figure I have about 24 hours worth left of supplies. I don't know my exact location, but I'm somewhere near the "Merle Norman" cookbooks from 1989. I'm beginning to doubt my chances of making it back to the entrance. Today I ran across a flock of old programs, there must have been 300 of them, and I'm not so sure how and where I found the strength to fight them off. Last night in my dreams, I was continuously haunted by the word "miscellaneous." I'm not sure why, but I don't like it...

Okay, back to reality.. I'm not really lost in some storage closet dimension. However, I am still in the midst of organizing the storage closet. And I apologize for no posts over the past week, I was busy with a job for Virginia 4-H Congress. I know you've been biting your nails waiting on another post. So, without further corny injections let me tell you what I did this past Friday as Administrative Apprentice (has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) at Opera Roanoke.

I arrived at the office around 9, earlier than usual, to attend an advertising meeting with Liz and Pat (she's with the children's theatre in town). Pat is quite the energetic lady, and I mean that in the best way! We arrive at Lamar (advertising) at 10am and pitch our thoughts about having 17 of the arts programs in Roanoke share some space on a digital billboard. I have to say Will, the sales representative, was on his game and really helped us out. This is one of those learning experiences you have as an intern. Liz and Pat aimed high with the money at hand, listened to our options, and with Will, came up with a realistic plan to advertise on a digital billboard in a way that would still be beneficial. Success for the day!

Sometimes in business, weather it be non-profit or for-profit, we encounter road blocks that require attention that would otherwise be used on productivity. These road blocks are messy to get through and are a waste of time. I'll give you an example of what happened on Friday, and the short version at that. When Liz and I arrived back at the office, she put me on a project to research. I don't want to compromise integrity, so I will spare you the details. But it resulted in a great deal of cleanup work for the office. Another lesson of business for today.

And just when you thought I forgot... The storage closet. I'm actually halfway there! I encountered operas on old VHSs, informative cookbooks with the most fabulous covers, and several  Opera Roanoke "boutique sale" items from 1996. A few more days, and I'll have that closet in tip top shape. If I ever make it out alive... dun dun dun! (this doesn't get old)

Yesterday Opera Roanoke participated in Parks and Arts 2014. At the Preston Park, Opera Roanoke joined the Southwest Virginia Ballet, Taubman Museum of Art, and Mill Mountain Theatre in a series of performances and workshops for children in the area. I had a chance to meet all of our fabulous (I love this word by the way, fabulous, anything and anyone can be fabulous) apprentice artists. All performers from every organization did a fierce job, and not to toot our own horn, but our apprentices did the best... wink wink. But for real, truly talented musicians. It's also credible to note that the cutest little boy sang I Just Can't Wait to be King from the Lion King, and it was adorable.

Until next time followers! Thanks for reading.

-Matt