Molly Fortune Contributing Columnist
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Molly-Fortune-Head-Shot.jpgMolly Fortune Contributing Columnist

Almost five months have passed since I began my journey as the new Opera House Executive Director. We bought a house, moved into an amazing community and actually found our way around town. You have been a welcoming community to not only me, but also my family as we make the transition.

It was hard leaving a strong family network that surrounded us, but it was the right choice and we love our new home and friends. My kids have even informed us that our new Friday night tradition of Mexican food now involves a slow drive through the truck lot.

I also owe a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Opera House. Newberry, you have an amazingly talented team taking care of your theatre. They offer nothing short of gracious hospitality to all who grace her doors. I am humbled to have been accepted into this elite group of caretakers.

These last months have flown by. We’ve had shows ranging from Grammy award winning rock bands to Bronze medalist in violin, free movies, illusionist, big band and even lectures. And then there was the New Year’s Eve bash.

If you missed that, you missed a great time. We experimented with dancing on stage, catered food from all our restaurants in Newberry including Pizza Hut and Mexican.

We transformed the rehearsal hall with flowing fabric, lights and a crystal chandelier; we had a lounge for those who couldn’t leave their television programming and party favors and fireworks to round out the evening. It was amazing and the best party I have been to in years.

We still have great shows coming up and we’ve added some new titles as well. Yes, Flavor Flav, Left over Salmon, Kashmir and Pink Floyd are new genres for the stage, but as we move to engage new audiences at the Opera House, we hope to solidify Newberry as THE place to play.

I returned from New York City on Tuesday morning after a week at the world’s largest conference for presenters, artists and agents. Let me say, Newberry and the Opera House are all known by these national and international attendees.

You are already on the world stage and this is something to stand proud on. We start the day around 8 a.m. with professional development where we have fruitful conversations on audience development, fundraising, social media, reaching millennials, keeping donors, booking software and anything else you can think of including sippy cups for wine.

Then around lunch we move into the exhibit hall for pre-arranged meetings with agents and talent — and then just wearing yourself out as you visit with over 5,000 vendors. We do get a dinner break,, then around 8 p.m. we visit venues to hear the artists whom we met about.

That goes until around 3 a.m. Yep you read that right. Then multiply that by four days. Needless to say, I have an entire suitcase full of CDs, pamphlets and one entire legal pad full of notes and bags under my eyes.

Now it’s the team’s turn to take all these notes and experiences and translate those into dynamic performances, family events, lectures, multimedia events, fine arts, community outreach. This will be a year of changes, small and some large. Remember Flavor Flav.

This is your venue for entertainment. Your home for the finest South Carolina and the region has to offer. Join us — stay connected through email, social media, walking through the building as we construct next year’s events, which I am sure will be conversation worthy.

Thank you for welcoming world class talent from all spectrums. I look forward to sharing our booking journey with you over the next several months in this column. It will be a journey I welcome you along on and I promise it will be a fun ride with stories no one will believe.

Molly Fortune is the executive director of the Newberry Opera House. Contact her at molly@newberryoperahouse.com.