Housing an Opera Company
A few words from our our new director of artist and community relations, Joe Durwin. We’re very excited to have welcomed Joe to the Berkshire Opera almost a month and a half ago, and he’s made quite a contribution to our operations in a very short time!
Words cannot quite convey my excitement at being able to join forces with the amazing individuals who make up the Berkshire Opera Company. Having been a part of a part of BOC during my formative teen years, back in the mid 90s, the chance to return to the fold this year in the capacity of Community and Artist Relations Director has been a magnificent homecoming.
Among my first priorities in preparation for the upcoming season has been the task of securing accommodations for the many talented artists and professionals who will be heading into Uncharted Territory with us this summer. Having moved three times in a little over six months, I’m no stranger to the overall process: scouring classified ads, endless phone tag and email flurries, driving from place to place, and the back and forth dialogue with potential landlords about the usual (and sometimes downright unusual) concerns involved in renting a space.
There are unique challenges, of course, involved in seeking short-term accommodations for 25+ individuals, for a variety of time spans ranging anywhere from a week to seven weeks. The process can be daunting, but it can also be very exciting. I’ve gotten to see the insides of an impressive number of houses and buildings in the area, learned the location of streets I’d never even heard of before, and generally feel like I know the Berkshires significantly better than before I began this effort.
Despite the little snags, confusions and obstacles bound to manifest in any endeavor of such scope, by mid April things were looking rosy. Thanks to help and insight from Ryan Taylor, Marianne Juby, our magnificent board, and the many friends BOC has made in the community over the years, about three fourths of our housing needs have now been met.
In addition to the other natural rewards of this challenging process, it’s given me the opportunity to become a little acquainted (albeit via email) with some of the phenomenal performers and artistic personnel who will be joining us this season. What a treat this has been! The climate of intelligence, kindness, and wit I have encountered in my dealings with all of these individuals has been incredible. Just precisely the sort of people you’d want with you on a voyage into Uncharted Territory. What an amazing season this is bound to be!
Joe Durwin
Community & Artists Relations
Berkshire Opera