Georgia Shakespeare Saved

, who just weeks ago was on the verge of shutting its doors due to a lack of funds, surpassed its $150,000 twice over having raised $321,770 to date and with the production of Glass Menagerie in full swing.

"We have raised over 60 percent of our $500,000 goal, so we're well on the way to meeting our end of year target," said Richard Garner, founder and producing artistic director.

Georgia Shakespeare, 26-year-old Atlanta institution that produces professional productions of Shakespeare's greatest works, began an urgent fundraising campaign in September. Garner told Patch in an earlier interview that the downturn in the economy effected the group's debt coupled with the lack of a Managing Administrative Director.

"We are very encouraged with the momentum we got from the first phase of the campaign and are very optimistic about reaching the end of year goal of $500,000, though it will still take a lot of work," Garner said.

Garner said that while he was confident that the organization would raise the money, he said he never thought Georgia Shakespeare would surpass the goal by so much, so quickly.

"I'm thrilled at the response we got and am quite honored with the trust that has been given us," he said.

Garner said he has an offer out to a Managing Director candidate and expects an  an answer from the candidate this week.  

"If she accepts, I expect she will join us in about a month.  It's a very exciting time here now that we have some breathing room and we are hard at work planning a fiscally responsible and artistically vibrant season for 2012."

Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams and directed by Richard Garner opens Thursday Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. and plays until Oct. 30.