RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
By Trey Thornton
This phrase is cliché, but I encountered it myself when this position came across my radar. Back in a little town in Texas, in a not-so-small liberal arts college, I was sitting in class when an announcement came across my department’s digital callboard for a paid internship opportunity. My college-class-taking ears perked up as I thought idly about my lack of summer employment. The listing was long, technical, and challenging: right up my alley. Interviewing with Harry Jaffe and Cameron Morgan solidified my interest. Their kindness and passion for their work and the community were evident even through the screen I interviewed from. An adventure into the Canadian Rockies, a road trip with a paycheck, and some good people to meet- what could I lose? It was time to become the Vilar’s 2026 summer intern.
Packing my life into my light-blue Subaru Crosstrek, which blended in quite well, and moving in seemed to be all I could manage until my first day of work. I remember calling my mom after moving in and telling her this position felt like a perfect next step for me: I was living alone for the first time, in a new place, where all the pressure to become connected to the community was put on me. The work described in the role was going to be a mountain to climb, like the ones I gawked at on my drive in. I quickly found a biking route to the nearby river and ate my farm-fresh produce with my feet in the cold water. I couldn’t stop smiling; how did I get here? Everything seemed larger than life, and hey, maybe it was the elevation talking, but I was ready to work.
HOLLISTIC LANDSCAPE
Something that first interested me in the position was the laundry list of duties attached. The first two weeks consisted of me meeting the team, describing my goals, and starting my projects. I quickly learned, over the course of the next few months, I’d be completing a project with just about everyone I met “up the hill” at Beaver Creek From labeling elevator buttons with our Production Manager Kate, researching wine sheets for our Food and Beverage manager Kenneth, or interviewing John Merritt, our House manager, for our venue’s Instagram, the list of duties was long and wide. This was something I had talked to Cameron and Harry about; one of my goals was to fully engross myself with the many assets of the performing arts center. I consider myself a performer at heart, but one with a history of production management and content organization. This was taken to an extreme as the list of projects focused not only on the skills the two felt capable of me utilizing, but new skills as well.
“Spreadsheet and a dream,” became the running motto for my box office database projects. Coding macros in Excel to populate photos wasn’t necessarily in the job description, but the experience allowed me to develop a skill set I look to take into future production work. Working with our marketing team allowed me to delve into technical writing. Local articles found me researching Colorado wildflowers or local French cuisine; such work forced me to become a member of the community through sheer knowledge alone. The Vilar’s tour program I helped develop with our Facility Manager, Dean, allowed me to engross myself within the venue’s history and culture and come to appreciate the contributions and talents that have graced our stage. The array of jobs was not only challenging, but they were technical, artistic, and focused on results like everyone else’s work. I wasn’t an intern making coffee; I was making an impact.
COMMUNITY
Something that became quickly apparent is the sense of community not only within the valley but the Vilar as well. Everyone on our staff was either racing off to feed lunch to kids at the local school districts, having coffee chats with donors within our community, or cleaning up the garbage in the local creeks. This sense of connection within the local community pushed me to seek out volunteer opportunities. This found itself in the form of volunteering with our Star Dancing Gala, a charity event to raise money for YouthPower365 in an effort to raise money to secure district funding for teachers, scholarships for college students, and more. The result was a night serving my community and busting it down on the dance floor! It truly was a night I’ll never forget. Speaking of community connection, not one, but both Harry and Cameron were featured dancers that night. I got to see those I work close to in an element of passion outside of work. The smile on their faces and their impact on the community, alongside the rest of the VVF staff that night, was radiant.
The staff is also personal, sure; scheduling a 14er with five of my coworkers seemed to be the hardest thing on my to-do list. But with a “half-birthday” picnic with homemade blueberry pie and cucumber sandwiches, a “Kate Day” of tubing Eagle and traveling through Leadville, and somehow being convinced to bike up to work with my boss Harry (took me two tries). The community within the Vilar is vibrant and welcoming. A fact I try to bring up as I danced around my other intern friends in the pit of our stage as I managed to say (very loudly) that this is also, in fact, part of my job
WORK LIFE BALANCE
While the schedule for the performing arts center has limited breaks, this position allowed me to breathe. One of the first conversations I had with Harry was about workload, and while the to-do list was long, the goal was a 40hr work week. That in itself was a blessing, despite my efforts to take on further projects. The agency I had over my own schedule also allowed me to reprioritize and take control over my own personal and professional goals. Readjusting time to work evening shows allowed me to foster connections in the community as I picked up my Eagle County library card or baked cookies for my neighbors. Through the local farmer’s markets, I met Joel, the artisanal chocolatier, and Autumn, who sells jam out of her imported Japanese truck. I spent weekends jamming out at Red Rocks, hiking Garden of the Gods, and exploring Denver. All of these small adventures made the agency I had over my own work that much more important. I was the only thing standing in my way of success, so I pushed myself to create a product I was proud of.
That is to say, this position is what you make of it. I feel comfortable saying I am walking out of this experience a better person and professional. That is from the faith my team members put in me, and the community of opportunity that presented itself. I thank the Vilar team and larger VVF foundation for welcoming me, my cowboy boots, and the rest of my eclectic closet into your slice of the Rockies. This process could’ve felt like climbing a 14er alone, but instead I felt the constant steadiness of the team at my side. I’ve crossed the threshold, and now look back on all I’ve accomplished with warm sincerity. As I return to my natural elevation in Texas, I am proud to take back an elevated set of skills and a summer full of growth. Thank you to Cameron, Lexi, Tess, Kate, Dean, Ruthie, Lauren, Andy, Kenneth, Jessica, Bonnie, and Shane for your support and kindness this summer. Special thanks to Harry for your optimism and support; you truly are a light within the Vail Valley community. Keep it up, boss.