Hi again! I’ve now wrapped up Week 5 of my fellowship, and this one was all about visibility, outreach, and laying the groundwork for public engagement as we continue settling into our new home at The Fort.

First and foremost, we’ve officially finalized the moving process. While there are still a few finishing touches to be made in the space, the energy is already shifting! I took some time this week to explore the South High Street area and capture photos of the neighborhood, the studio, and our new beginnings. These images will serve as part of our storytelling strategy to let the community know: we’ve moved, and we’re ready.

To support that awareness push, I reached out to The Fort’s official Instagram account to propose a joint post, and they agreed. I’ll be posting that collaboration on Monday. This will help us cross-promote to their audience and drive attention from people already engaged with The Fort’s broader community. It’s a great opportunity to build local momentum and make sure people in the area know where we are and what we offer.

This week was also a bridge between strategy and production. I’ve been finalizing the details of our season ticket packages, working to ensure that the pricing, structure, and messaging are clear, engaging, and accessible to both new and returning patrons. This part of the project required a lot of back and forth between design logic and audience needs, what will make sense to someone purchasing a package for the first time? What small language shifts might make the benefits feel more compelling?

With those pieces nearly ready to go, I’ve now started working on the season brochure. This will be the physical and digital piece that introduces our upcoming performances to the public. I’ve been brainstorming design direction, formatting ideas, and the overall voice we want to use across the brochure. Should I focus on the storytelling behind each production? Or highlight the unique experience of being in the space with us? These are the questions I’m exploring as I begin laying out content and page flow.

Overall, this week was a turning point, it marked a shift from internal transition to outward-facing promotion. As we continue to get the space ready, I’m excited to bring even more visibility to OYO and make sure people across Columbus (and especially on the South Side) know that something fresh and creative is happening here!