I always knew I’d return to the box office one day, but I never knew my shift would be starting at midnight!

My Shakespearean journey began in 2003, when I was hired at the last minute to manage the café for the summer.  It was an incredible stroke of luck, and I’ve often marveled at the array of coincidences that got me the job.  (I should probably take this moment to thank Gabriel Jason Dean for getting that full time job and leaving me the perfect summer position.)

Since 2003, I’ve worked in the café, house managed, and sold tickets in the box office.  (I was also named Official Office File Girl, because Heidi Blackwell doesn’t like to file receipts.  I find it very soothing.)  I’ve also worked all but one Shake at the Lake, including the very first one ever.  I’ve handed out wristbands to patrons at 10 am, sold t-shirts at 7 pm, and dismantled the set at 2 am.  As of tonight, thanks to our awesome 48 Hour Sale, I can also say I’ve sold tickets after midnight.

And I’ve loved every single minute of it.

Georgia Shakespeare has been more than a place to work for the past eight seasons.  It has become my second home, and the staffers have become my family.  They’ve watched me grow from an 18 year old college freshman to a 25 year old professional writer and future grad school student.

This is my last summer at GA Shakes.  The week the season ends, I’ll pack up and move to Philadelphia to pursue my Masters degree.  I’m going to miss everyone terribly, but I’m already planning a trip back to see The Odyssey: A Journey Home in October — fall break is perfectly timed!  And in the meantime, you can find me in the café for this last summer season, serving the coffee and answering questions about the history of the company.  I may be young, but I’ve been here for a good bit of it. 

And even when I’m living out of town, I’ll be here in spirit for much longer.

-Alexandra Edwards