Meet Jeanette Meierhofer | Marketing Manager and Assistant to the Artistic Director at The Atlanta Shakespeare Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeanette Meierhofer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeanette, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Off and on I’ve found myself in this position in my life. For me it comes down to a drive, an energy inside, and whether it is active or dormant. Some projects or activities have a momentum, and an enthusiasm bubbling and I ride that feeling until it’s gone. It’s an instinct. It becomes complicated if I’ve put in a lot of time, attention, or money into something for which I have lost a drive. Then the ego steps in and wants me to force things to happen that just don’t want to anymore. I have to let myself grieve a bit. While something is happening that I love and has momentum, I make sure to consciously appreciate that I feel good and how much I am enjoying the process. I’ve been around long enough to know that even though things end, new things are always around the corner and they crop up so quietly I don’t even notice I’ve moved on to something new sometimes! In terms of my job, it’s been a challenge over the years to know whether I should move on or stay. It stems from working in an industry where artists come and go so much, are always on to a new project or home. I compare myself to how they are living their lives and question if I should be someone who moves from job to job. It took a long time for me to be okay with the fact that I love where I work, what I do, and I have been lucky to find a place of employment I felt dedicated to so early in life. I think it’s healthy to reassess now and then, to check in with my motivations and drives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In November 2024 I will have worked for The Atlanta Shakespeare Company for 30 years. The minute I walked into The Shakespeare Tavern, in 1992, the day before I graduated high school, I knew I was home. I quickly became a volunteer and moved up the pseudo-ranks: volunteer coordinator, House Manager, Box Office Manager, Marketing Manager, and Assistant to the Artistic Director. I’ve done almost every job there is within the company: I’ve slung beer and taken food orders, I’ve assistant stage managed, I’ve produced, I’ve been a photographer, a cleaner. I designed and managed souvenirs, I’ve worked on a demolition crew, I’ve painted sets. I’ve even been on stage…once (not for me!). It is fantastic to work in a creative environment. I sometimes describe where I work as the literal Muppet Show. We are all  talented, passionate, wacky and lovable characters who never have to wear a tie to work. I believe in the work we do, in the shows we produce, and how much our work impacts kids around the Southeast. I love that the energy that is ASC brings in the most wonderful, creative, dedicated, fun people. I love being around and working with those people. I’ve heard that the only way to be a good marketer is to love what you are selling. I would not want to do what I do anywhere else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am definitely taking them to eat at so many incredible restaurants in Atlanta: Kura Revolving Sushi, Taqueria del Sol for tacos, Dancing Goats for coffee, Apres Diem and Cafe Intermezzo for tea and desserts, Wahoo! Grill for the best date night dinner vibe, and Mary Mac’s for Southern food. I’m taking them on walks through the Decatur Cemetery, Woodland Gardens, Zolonite Park, The Atlanta Botanical Gardens. We have to hit up Krispy Kreme for a hot donut. We’re going to The Plaza Theatre to see an indie movie (I’d love to say we’re going next door to The Majestic for a late-night waffle, but I’m still not over them closing at 2:30pm). Of course we’ll see whatever is showing on The Shakespeare Tavern stage. I’ll drive them by the Little White House in Briarcliff Rd. We’ll relax on the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center grounds. We’ll meditate at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. We’ll take in an improv show at Dad’s Garage. And the whole time we’ll be listening to 99x on the radio.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A huge credit goes to my family who let me be myself and live my life as I want. I am incredibly grateful to have a family that supports my decisions and who doesn’t judge or tell me what to do. Credit to my success also goes out to my boss, Jeff Watkins, who also lets me do my job to the best of my abilities rather than to be like him or someone else who might give better results but are not me. The freedom he has given me to grow and figure things out for myself is immeasurable in me growing as much as I have. His ability to give feedback in a non-judgmental way, keeps me feeling confident about my contribution to the work I do for the company. He is also verbally appreciative and supportive which does help! I also want to give a shout out to Kristin Dustan who was the best mentor and friend who, like my family and Jeff, let me grow in my own direction and supported who I am, not someone she needed me to be.

Website: Shakespearetavern.com