Behind the Work — A Founder’s Note, by Aja Sophia, DOTHEWORK DC

Black-and-white cutout on red: a young crew member and an adult backstage, heads bowed over a sheet of paper together

A Founder’s Note

Aja SophiaDOTHEWORK DCWashington, D.C.

Behind the WorkA Founder’s Note

I started DOTHEWORK DC with the belief that creativity could be useful beyond the things we make. That the right people, ideas, and resources could come together to do something meaningful for a community.

For years, that looked like creative philanthropy. Connecting people, producing experiences, and finding ways to put our collective talents to work.

A fan of printed DOTHEWORK brochures reading “DO THE WORK. Creative Philanthropy Projects,” each with a photo of young people in yellow DOTHEWORK shirts

Then Creative Philanthropy Projects brochures

Behind the WorkA Founder’s Note

I still believe in all of that.

A young person adds a sticky note to a flip-chart page asking “What do you need from your team to be successful?”

But somewhere along the way, I became more interested in what happens when young people are part of the process.

Behind the WorkA Founder’s Note

I’ve spent years producing shows and experiences, and years working with young people. What I’ve come to understand is that the production process itself is an education.

Before anything reaches an audience, someone has to imagine it, organize it, communicate it, solve the problems, make decisions, and see it through. Those are skills that matter whether a young person ever works in entertainment or not.

Cover of the DOTHEWORK Crew Bible for Move With Mr. Prather Live!, Saturday, August 30th, Bowie Center for the Performing Arts

Cropped Crew Roles page: Front of House and Back of House role headings

DOTHEWORK Crew Bible · Move With Mr. Prather Live! · August 30, 2025

Behind the WorkA Founder’s Note

That’s what interests me about building educational programs around production. The show, the broadcast, the event, or the finished project gives everyone something to work toward. But the learning happens in everything it takes to get there.

Young crew members in theater seats pointing at the stage, run sheets in hand — Contact sheet · process

Crew members on a stage with scripts during a work-through — Contact sheet · process

Behind the WorkA Founder’s Note

I don’t think every young person needs to become a creative professional.

I do think they deserve opportunities to discover what they’re capable of making happen.

Aja SophiaFounder, DOTHEWORK DC

DOTHEWORK DC · Washington, D.C.

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