Nikki Vincent

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.

I always tell people that I have grown up at The Grand — and that’s not a lie. I really feel like I have.

Nikki dressed up as a Mercer student clerk

I remember coming to the GrandKids series as an elementary school kid, being excited that I was out of school for the day and being thrilled that I got to enjoy things that “big people” get to enjoy. I remember the feathers on the Native American dancers’ clothing and the drumming that I felt down in my toes as I watched them dance on Mulberry. I remember fondly the smell of the chalk that I got to use on the Grand’s sidewalk as part of an arts event. I’m sure my mother remembers it as well, since I wore more of the chalk dust than the sidewalk did.

As a Mercer student, I was given the opportunity to work in the Box Office as a student ticket clerk, which thrilled me beyond belief. I thought that it was going to just be a fun job to hold my senior year.

Little did I know that returning to the place I remember fondly from my childhood to “just sell tickets” would lead to me discovering my passion, my career, my second family.

One of the greatest joys I have had in working at The Grand is that I have been able to go on a journey with many of you as The Grand has evolved and developed. We have experienced many changes together, the good (hello bathrooms!) and the ugly (…I know that some of you still miss the center aisle.) Through the years I have been blessed to have grown to know many of you on a personal level. Through The Grand, I’ve become part of your lives and you’ve become part of mine.

With The Grand Family at a reception

Nothing thrills me more to see Sloan and Sam Oliver at church on Sunday morning, and get a big hug and an invitation to sit with them. Or seeing Susan Hake out and about in Macon, hearing her opinion of the most recent event and taking notes on what The Grand should consider in the future. Or taking selfies with Elaine Evans in the lobby before she goes to her seat for the night. There are many more of you out there. If I tried to name you all, they may not let me post here again.

I say all of this to tell you that I consider each and every person that walks through this door an extension of my Grand Family. You are the reason I come to work every day and strive to make your experience nothing short of phenomenal. I genuinely enjoy the connection and bonds we share and hope that my Grand Family will continue to expand.

With the shadow cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show after a successful performance

I currently serve as The Grand’s Director of Rentals and Patron Services.

Whew. That title sure is a mouthful.

Essentially, I am here for you. If you have a ticketing concern, email me. Have an issue you want to report, come find me in the lobby at a show. Need to discuss your season tickets? Let’s set up a meeting to walk through The Grand together. Want to chat about a fun experience you have, call me. I’m your girl.

Like I said, I consider you family. Family leans on one another. Feel free to lean on me. I can be reached at 478-301-5461 and vincent_vn@mercer.edu

-Nikki Vincent is the Director of Rentals and Patron Services for The Grand Opera House