Okay, don't tell anybody, but I'm pretty sure my desk is the prettiest in the office. (Daniel, Jenn, stop reading this!! Ever hear of privacy?)

But seriously, T.O. patrons, picture this: to my left, Tom Key "hmms" over an e-mail. To my right, Daniel Schroeder and Jenn Dwyer hum "Landslide" together as Pandora provides the soundtrack to our keyboard-clicks. Also to my right, perhaps Bill Duncan cracks a sarcastic joke, or informs us of bagels on the "offerings" table (mmm, thanks Bill!). Beneath our feet? There lies the colorful squares of our modern carpet and plenty of recycling bins for our environmentally-friendly way of office-life. And zooming over our heads are the million phone calls, botched call transfers, thoughtful discussions, informative e-mails and chipper e-newsletters that comprise the work of the administrative office.

Zoom in a little closer. My desk has an inherited bamboo plant (it's still alive, Danielle) and a dying gerber daisy (it's been so lovely, Intern Stephanie). The to-do lists keep growing and so do the files; the season artwork is pinned everywhere, along with notes and jokes and vital information.

And downstairs, do you know what's happening? Our world premiere of Calvin Alexander Ramsey's The Green Book takes the stage tonight for the first time. Beneath this busy office is what we're all working toward: putting a show on that beautiful stage. Down there, the crew will be hurrying around, the actors' excitement will build behind the curtain, and then those lobby doors will open to Luckie St., letting in all the buzz and light of downtown, and maybe, just maybe, you'll be there. I hope to see you soon, T.O. patrons! We're excited to share this with you.

In the meantime, I'll be writing you from what is arguably the prettiest desk in the office.

Best,
Hally Joseph