Andre, in about a decade of volunteering together, with approximately a million photos taken between the two of us in each other's presence, the irony is not lost on me that our only real picture together had to be snuck in over these last months. I guess it's a fact that being so good behind the camera means having fewer instances in front of it... which is demonstrably (and THANKFULLY) not true based on all these other photos, but is certainly true of us theatre folk. Shame on me for not realizing sooner, and consider this lesson learned.
I will forever be grateful for the opportunities we had to collaborate together; you have been one of my favourite people to dream and scheme with in the theatre community, imagining creative new ways to take promo photos, brainstorming shoots for massive sets, and watching you work your magic as you captured peoples' spirits through headshots and production stills. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, you can ALWAYS tell when a picture is "an Andre". In more recent years, your friendship has been a real gift to me as we took coffee dates to discuss life, love, and all the mysteries of the world. Your ability to put my frenetic brain at ease and to just dive right into ANY topic has been joyful and so appreciated, and you have shared so much of the wisdom of your 57 years that I will carry with me always.
As your incredible energy is redistributed, I'll watch for it and hold it close in all the moments that remind me of you; the flourish of an unfurling lighting dish, the rolling of an omniwheel, the way cyclists rub their butts after sitting on a too-pointy bike seat, when a stranger encounters a puppy on the streets, when someone makes a wicked innuendo and gets that sparkle in their eye, and in the million headshots that I know I will continue to see for years and years to come... you'll be everywhere, my friend. Thank you for our friendship, I'll cherish it forever. Love, Alex
