The Douglass Theatre is a live performance/motion picture venue located in downtown Macon, Georgia. It is currently operated by the City of Macon and is available to be rented out for a variety of public and private events. The theatre underwent a major renovation completed in 1997, which included an annex housing dressing rooms, a green room, a warming kitchen and a meeting space / art display area.
The theatre is named for its founder Charles Henry Douglass, 1870 - 19??, an African American entrepreneur who was already familiar with vaudeville and entertainment business. According the Douglass Theatres website, the Douglass was a part of TOBA ((Theater Owners Bookers Association) - a chain of 40 theaters that served as an agency for many African American artists and performers.[1][2][3]
The theatre remained in operation until 1970s when it closed its doors. Sitting dormant for many years, the theatre was saved from the "wrecking ball" in 1990s by a community group which became the non-profit "Friends of the Douglass Theatre" A major renovation went underway adding central heating and air throughout the complex, state of the art stage lighting, sound and cinema equipment, including 35mm and 70mm film formats with digital surround sound. New seating was installed, though a portion of the first level was converted to a lobby/waiting area and entrance to the annex area.
An early artists rendering of the annex showed a three story building, however the annex is a single story structure.
The theatre currently hosts many public and private events and parties, as well as serves as the viewing venue for the Macon Film Guild at the Douglass Theatre[1] which shows select foreign and independent films.
Music and Drama Camp of Covenant Academy in Macon, Georgia Ben Jones 13 WMAZ Meteorologist Cathy Bertham Douglass Theater Performer
Josh Evan Barker (10 year old kid 2011 who LOVES maps)
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