Nikki Vincent has been with The Grand Opera House for almost 10 years, starting as a student ticket clerk while attending Mercer University before moving steadily up to run the entire box office and front of house operations. Today is her last day and we will dearly miss her!
I have considered The Grand Opera House my home for quite some time. Heck, even my iPhone thinks the Grand’s address is “home” because I am here more often than I am at my actual home. I have had the amazing opportunity of coming to work in this beautiful venue for the last eight years, and so next week when I drive past it to a new work home, it will be bittersweet.
Throughout my time here I have been able to meet and interact with so many individuals and organizations and they have had a significant impact on my life. In fact, if it were not for The Grand Opera House, I would not have recognized that a passion for the arts and entertainment can turn into a career. I shudder at the thought of where I would be now had I not had the opportunity to step into the box office and dive head first into the world of arts and venue management.
So at the risk of sounding all sappy, I wanted to leave you all with a couple of thoughts.
To my patrons: You will never know how much you mean to me. You are the reason why I looked forward to coming to work each and every day. You made 14 hour long event days worth it. Seeing your joy when coming through the doors and getting to know you on a personal level is what dreams are made of. I’ll miss our conversations at the box office and hanging out with you in the lobby at intermission, but don’t think you’ve seen the last of me. I may be your seat neighbor one day.
To my student clerks, past and present: Thank you. Thank you for your patience with me when I first stepped into the role of Box Office Assistant. Funny enough, some of you (looking at you Bos) have been with me for a very long time. Many of you witnessed the creation and development of a manager and a leader. Some of you saw my great days. Some of you witnessed chaos. Many of you were my guinea pigs as I was navigating those first few years. You aremy rock stars. Thank you for letting me grow and learn, and thank you for being willing to grown and learn with me. You all are going to do amazing things, and I cannot wait to see you flourish!
To my staff: I love you dearly. I don’t think I can say enough how much I truly value your friendships in and outside of the office. You all have been a second family to me. You have seen me on my best and worst days, and loved me through it all. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside you. We may have been a small crew, but together we were mighty. I’m going to miss having you all around and I fully intend on maintaining my gif queen status in group texts.
While I may be leaving my office at The Grand, I will not be leaving my beautiful hometown of Macon, GA. I will still be here, supporting the arts, entertainment, and other organizations here in Macon. Feel free to reach out to me (comment on this post if you would like my personal email or ask one of our current staff) if you ever need an event buddy.
Oh, and if you’re wondering where I am going… I will be stepping into the role of Director of Ticketing for Spectra, overseeing ticketing at the Macon Centreplex, Macon City Auditorium, and the Flint River Entertainment Complex in Albany.