Phoebe’s Journey From 2050 Administrative Fellow to Director of Special Events

Phoebe Moore began her NYTW journey as a 2050 Administrative Fellow in 2022 and is now the Director of Special Events! After Phoebe finished putting on an incredible gala, we were excited to sit down with her and talk to her about her time at NYTW, her memories, and how she got to where she is now.

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Can you tell us a little bit about your fellowship journey? What are the things that inspired you in your time as a Fellow? What were some of your favorite moments and/or things you worked on? 

Sure! When I applied for the fellowship, I didn’t actually live in NY – I was still in Nashville trying to figure out what my path to theatre-making might look like. The thing that inspired me to not only apply and accept with the Devo Dept but also find meaning in the work we do was the idea that this industry doesn’t have to be purely transactional. It’s about relationships – to the art and with those who create and support it. There were so many incredible moments in my time as a fellow where I saw that be true across the board. The Matt Gala (iykyk) was a beautiful example of that.

What were you working on in between your Fellowship and your current position here? How did your time as a Fellow inform your work?

I wear lots of cool hats but my main background is in Event Design and Production. I started working with a small event production and client services firm back in 2021 producing fully remote and hybrid events of all sizes that eventually became live and in-person. Actually, I worked with the same firm part-time while doing the fellowship! It was incredible getting the opportunity to travel and work with other nonprofits, NGOs, electeds, influencers, and companies, so I started back full time. I still deeply value those relationships and experiences, what I learned inform the kind of team member and professional I work toward every day. And I managed to produce an award-winning play with SheNYC and a birthday fundraiser for emerging Black women playwrights so, I mean…time well spent!

What brought you back to NYTW? Why this job/this place?

 It’s kind of sappy to say but NYTW brought me back to NYTW. Our cohort arrived not long after Patricia, and she was a major factor in why I applied in 2022. Having worked so closely with Leah and Matt on donor events and the 2023 Gala, planning Black Theatre Night for The Half-God of Rainfall with Brennie, and just being in the same space as so many incredible artists (not to mention the humans that keep this place running), I missed the spirt of home. I was very sad to hear that this position was open because Matt was moving on to an amazing opportunity, but I wouldn’t be here without (many) kind and enthusiastic nudges from this place.

You just planned your 1st Gala for NYTW as the Director of Special Events, one of the most successful in our history! How was that experience like and what are your favorite things about this type of large-scale planning? 

I love events, but I really love a gala. (Personally, I think it’s my inner teen making up for a less than memorable prom) As you might imagine with events of this size, there are always plates to keep spinning. It takes a truly stellar team to support this event and I am extremely blessed to have had that in spades – card deck pun not intended. My favorite thing about planning events is seeing how all the threads tie together and hearing what sparked joy for everyone involved – this gala had a TON of joy, personality, and MAGIC. Many thanks go to our honorees Rachel, Joaquina, and Greg for being so game to shake it up and knock it out of the park. Truly an honor to work with them!!

What are you looking forward to next in this position?

I say this all the time but I really am just happy to be here. With the gala wrapping up, I’m excited for what’s next in this season Becoming Eve and Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole and inviting our donors and friends to be in conversation with those productions. Events are my favorite form of community building. I’m looking forward to successful, meaningful moments with the Workshop community, and I’m excited to help grow this community as well.

Anything you want to add?

It’s sometimes a weird thing to process – the duality of being a fellow and also not. The Workshop has a funny way of showing up when you need it (it’s kind of like Hogwart’s Room of Requirement but on East 4th). It’s true in the lives of many of our Usual Suspects, Trustees, Staff, Donors, you name it. This is a special place that creates space for perspectives, and I’m honored for mine to help inform our collective way forward.

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Categories: Behind the Scenes and Community Spotlight.