Sophie Nelson
South Pasadena,CA
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Donor Relations Assistant
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
03.2022 - Current
- Responsible for supporting Philanthropy team in achieving its short- and long-term development goals with primary focus on stewardship, donor relations, and Board relations.
- Plan small events, including virtual In Tune events, events in collaboration with the Learning team, and intimate invitational donor rehearsals at the Bowl
- Coordinate donor signage at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
- Work with Video team to create content for donor communications.
- Produce monthly CEO Timeline to coordinate CEO engagement with donors.
- Established process for sending monthly birthday messages to Clark Society and Board members.
- Currently working to create a Loyalty Donor Tag (for donors who have given at least $75 per year for 5 consecutive years) in Tessitura to deepen donor engagement.
Verbal Tutor
Compass Education Group
01.2018 - Current
- Collaborate with students to complete homework assignments, identify lagging skills, and correct weaknesses.
- Provide homework assistance using specific curriculum and materials.
- Motivate students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure.
- Support students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
- Have worked with close to 200 students since starting with company.
Development Operations Manager
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
07.2020 - 06.2021
- Provided support to development team.
- Provided critical support to events team.
- Managed gift and data management.
- Ensured timely delivery of up to 100 acknowledgment letters per week to donors, during busiest seasons.
- Corresponded with donors and Board members.
- Liaised with Marketing team to ensure effective communications with donors.
Education Programs Associate
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
12.2019 - 07.2020
- Assisted with mailings.
- Created content for collateral and social media.
- Maintained drive database.
- Developed and deepened relationships with school districts and teachers.
- Led and directed training assignments, tasks and schedules for team of 8 teaching artists.
- Responsible for developing curriculum, executing school residencies and final performances.
Lead Teaching Artist
Quinan Street Project
09.2018 - 12.2019
- Created, implemented, and led culturally responsive curriculum to students ages 6 – 12.
- Supervised students’ devising of new plays, either created from scratch or utilizing found text, to be performed at each semester's end.
Lead Teaching Artist
Town Hall Theatre Company
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Generated curriculum for 50 students across 3 class sections.
- Directed 30-minute musical production each semester.
- Coached students who were nervous about performance through positive feedback and support.
- Managed group of 2 teaching assistants in each class.
After School Drama Teacher/In-School Residency
New Conservatory Theatre Center
09.2017 - 12.2019
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide safe, calm learning environment.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
After School/Summer Conservatory Teacher
Berkeley Playhouse
05.2017 - 08.2019
- Taught class sizes of 10 – 15, culminating in short final showings of plays like Cinderella, James and the Giant Peach, and Bye Bye Birdie, all with scripts developed by the education department.
Box Office Associate/House Manager
Marin Theatre Company
09.2017 - 08.2018
- Utilized Audience View ticketing system
- Aided in booking large groups and student matinees
- Provided customer service to patrons.
Box Office Associate
Aurora Theatre Company
05.2017 - 03.2018
- Utilized Theatre Manager ticketing system.
- Printed tickets, checking accuracy of date, time and seat numbers before giving to customers.
- Assisted customers in choosing seats, guiding and recommending options via seating map.
Front Desk Associate
Bancroft Hotel
08.2016 - 01.2018
- Greeted visitors and customers upon arrival, offered assistance, and answered questions to build rapport and retention.
- Took reservations over phone, in person, and via computer for guests and provided confirmation information.
- Used internal software to process reservations, check-ins and check-outs.
Casting Intern
California Shakespeare Theatre
10.2016 - 03.2017
- Collaborated with casting director and artistic associate.
- Digitized notes.
- Maintained casting database of hundreds of local Bay Area actors.
- Witnessed all rounds of auditions to determine most qualified talent for roles.
Education Intern
A Noise Within
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Acted as registrar and liaison for summer camp.
- Designed curriculum and study guide materials.
- Developed list of 300 local schools for community outreach.
Education
BA - Theatre and Performance Studies
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA12.2016
Certificate -
Accademia Dell'Arte
Arezzo, Italy 05.2015
Skills
- Certified in CPR and First Aid
- Working knowledge of basic Italian
- Computer: proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Facebook, and Twitter
- Excellent verbal and written communication
Pronouns
she/her/hers
References
Erica Sitko
Director, Stewardship and Principal Gift Strategy
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
esitko@laphil.org
Anna Smith
Executive Director
Quinan Street Project
anna@quinanstreet.org
Lexi Diamond
Casting Assistant
Pixar Animation Studios
lexid@pixar.com
Hobbies and Interests
- Devising new plays
- Writing short stories
- Traveling
Timeline
Donor Relations Assistant
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
03.2022 - Current
Development Operations Manager
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
07.2020 - 06.2021
Education Programs Associate
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
12.2019 - 07.2020
Lead Teaching Artist
Quinan Street Project
09.2018 - 12.2019
Lead Teaching Artist
Town Hall Theatre Company
08.2018 - 12.2019
Verbal Tutor
Compass Education Group
01.2018 - Current
After School Drama Teacher/In-School Residency
New Conservatory Theatre Center
09.2017 - 12.2019
Box Office Associate/House Manager
Marin Theatre Company
09.2017 - 08.2018
After School/Summer Conservatory Teacher
Berkeley Playhouse
05.2017 - 08.2019
Box Office Associate
Aurora Theatre Company
05.2017 - 03.2018
Casting Intern
California Shakespeare Theatre
10.2016 - 03.2017
Front Desk Associate
Bancroft Hotel
08.2016 - 01.2018
Education Intern
A Noise Within
06.2016 - 08.2016
BA - Theatre and Performance Studies
UC Berkeley
Certificate -
Accademia Dell'Arte
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