Oakland Ballet Company is pleased to bring you: “Behind Graham Lustig’s ‘The Nutcracker’” as part of our “Behind Oakland Ballet” blog. Throughout December, we will be posting interviews with professional dancers, staff, volunteers, and superfans! Make sure to check out these fun, behind-the-scenes features and learn why Oakland Ballet Company is so loved by our community.
Sara Somers is one of Oakland Ballet Company’s newest board members, joining the organization in August 2013. Sara has been involved in the Oakland political scene for years, volunteering for the office of the Oakland Mayor. She is an avid A’s fan and an enthusiast of all things baseball and ballet. Read more about why Oakland Ballet is important to Ms. Somers.
I am on the Board of Directors. I became involved because I volunteer for Mayor Quan and she is devoted to the Ballet. I went to the 2012 Spring Gala and won the auction item of guest appearance in the Nutcracker. That experience allowed me to get to know the dancers and Graham. I was treated so well and had a wonderful time in the performance (I bid on it again this year!! and will be in the Christmas Eve day performance).
Oakland needs its arts, all cultural experiences in order to compete with other large cities.
Well the one I’m in naturally!! The party in the beginning – after that the Turkish dancers (I think they are turkish, def arabian of some sort).
Why did you want to volunteer for OBC? Do you have a dance background?
I don’t have dance background. My goal is to help OBC become financially stable.
What do you do for the Board?
So far, I’m providing new energy, new contacts and some money.
What would you tell someone looking to volunteer for OBC?
Be ready to roll your sleeves up and get to work with a bunch of wonderful people to make OBC a stable, integral part of the Oakland scene again. Laughter is obligatory!!
To support OBC and Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker”, get your tickets here.
