Meet a DCMer: Amy Shank
From improv stages to phone campaigns, Amy brings a performer's instincts and a matchmaker's ear to her work at DCM.
How long have you been with DCM, and what's your role?
I've been with DCM for about a year. I’m currently a telefundraiser for Carnegie Hall, and from time to time I step in as Assistant Manager for Pacific Symphony’s subscription campaign.
Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
I grew up in San Jose, California and am now based in Los Angeles.
How did you end up at DCM? What background did you have before coming to DCM?
I found DCM through a job posting, and the fit made a lot of sense once I looked into it. My background is in theater: I studied it in college, spent years doing improv and sketch comedy in Chicago with Second City, and eventually helped start an improv theater back home in San Jose. I also worked as a marketing manager for a comedy venue there.
The less obvious part of my background is that I spent time as a matchmaker, working with primarily LGBTQ+ and disabled clients. It was a fun job that taught me how to listen and have intimate phone conversations with strangers very quickly. Those are skills that translate directly to this work.
At the time that I applied, I had been working as a high school theater teacher and knew I wanted to do something different. When I saw that DCM works primarily with arts organizations, I decided to take the leap.
Tell me about your career path at DCM.
I started on the Pacific Symphony subscription campaign and have stayed with it ever since. I'm now Assistant Manager there, and I've also taken on fundraising for Carnegie Hall. I'm interested in working on theater and political campaigns at some point in the future. It's been a great first year.
What's your favorite thing about the work you do?
The conversations. When I first started, I'd get on the phone and end up in a long exchange with someone about their history with music, or their years as a ballerina. I half-expected to get in trouble for it, but it turned out that was actually the job. Building those connections is what moves people to give. I love that.
I also love that this is a remote team. I've worked remotely before, but never quite like this. I'm on a team with people I've never met in person, and yet there's a real sense of camaraderie. We're all doing the same thing, we help each other, and we show up for each other.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I still do improv, performing occasionally and taking classes (including clown classes!). I'm learning to play drums. I’m also part of a theater group that meets monthly to read and discuss plays. This month we're doing a public performance art piece that a friend wrote. I’m also really into the show Survivor.
Let's play two truths and one lie.
Sure! Here they are:
I played quads in high school drumline, the biggest drum you can carry, and I have the back problems to prove it.
I have a birthmark that covers roughly half my stomach: one half is tan, the other is white.
I had a grasshopper as a pet growing up.
The lie is #3. No grasshopper, but I did keep roly-polies.