This semester, our Arts Marketing intern, Lidya Dereje, captured what it was like to attend one of our shows. From the beautiful details everywhere in the architecture to the seamless hospitality in our front of house to the smiles and clapping with spectacular entertainment, check out what it’s like to see a show at The Grand yourself. From Lidya:

Watching a show at The Grand was extremely memorable. It was great to connect with and see different types of people, whether it be audience members or performers, mixing in the space. It really shows the way in which the arts bring us all together. I believe that The Grand Opera House serves the interests of the local Macon community by showing off professional artists and performers, and in doing so, provides a better place to live for everyone in Central Georgia. I highly recommend everyone check them out!

January is a month of beginnings, and The Grand is excited to keep opening our doors wider to Central Georgia’s community in 2022. It hasn’t been easy to be a performing arts venue in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic and we can always use your support. But we are proud to say that we’re hopeful for more applause, laughter, music, and memories here at The Grand this year.

1. Bringing hip-hop to the symphony in a world premiere

The birth of the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra this year has created magic moments that we can’t wait to repeat, both with the upcoming two concerts and the arrival of the MMSO’s second season. It’s hard to put a finger on just what makes the recipe for symphony in Macon so special. It’s the intergenerational collaboration between local college students and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra principal players. The energy of a crowd of music lovers younger and more diverse than ever before. Celebratory toasts and special receptions. And a program that defies expectations of genre. The season ends on April 25 with a landmark commission from local hip-hop artist Bob Lennon called “Don’t Look at Me” that is sure to rock the house. Make More Music Mondays are the best way to see and be seen in Macon – do you have your ticket yet?

2. Traditions that make the “most wonderful time of the year” grander

Christmas might seem so far away now, but at The Grand, we act as Santa’s little helpers all year to make holiday magic happen. We love being an annual part of many families’ routines. We’ve already put tickets for Christmas with John Berry on sale and we can hear the soaring notes of “O Holy Night” in our head now. And the wheels never stop turning all year for Nutcracker of Middle Georgia, where hundreds of area students and volunteers unite with breathtaking professional dancers to present the classic story of Clara.The best part about presenting these shows year after year is being a part of these families’ lives. We met a group with three generations – grandparents through children – this last December that said because of the pandemic, “Christmas just wasn’t the same without Nutcracker!”

3. Memories under the marquee

Here’s what we think – if you love someone, say it loud and proud with neon lights! We’ve celebrated family reunions, weddings, engagement shoots, Mother’s Day, and more with messages on the front of the theatre. Our marquee surprises have been so fun to watch. Even planned photoshoots have gone off without a hitch. After all, nothing shines brighter than the person with a starring role in YOUR life. And sending a message to your love is the best gift of all – the one of memories. Our normal marquee rates are $50/hour and $300/day, and we will customize to any colors, message, etc. that you need. Contact Julia to get started. For Valentine’s Day, stay tuned for our marquee special again for a shorter amount of time for just $20 – details coming out ASAP! (If you’re planning on proposing, we’ll pull out all the sneaky ninja moves to make it the best day ever).

4. An explosion all around the building!

Last fall, we’re proud to say The Grand EXPLODED – with art and performances from dozens of artists, that is! The inaugural Macon Art eXplosion (MAX) provided a platform for making art in uncommon places with new faces. We had over 40 artists participate in rap shows in the green room, mini-exhibits taking up a dressing room, an interactive dating game in the box seats. Audience members got to come and make collective art works together, experience mini-classes, buy homemade art and decor from local vendors, and tour the inner workings of our 115+ year old theatre on their own terms. MAX is inspired by a Fringe Festival model, welcoming original and off-beat art that doesn’t find a space in major institutions. We solicited artists through an artist council of practicing artists, using a model of radical inclusion to welcome emerging and exploring artworks. In 2022, Macon Art eXplosion will return Nov. 4-6, 2022 with an even bigger and better festival. See you there!

5. Working with new faces… which could include YOU!

The Grand is lucky to be a part of Mercer University, which means every semester we receive a new crop of students who learn how to work our box office and directly interact with patrons. This spring, you may see our Arts Marketing Intern Lidya Dereje (that’s her at left) at events clicking her camera – she is planning on contributing some video blogs and social media content for The Grand. Additionally, we recently welcomed a new full-time staff member, Chas Pridgen. Chas will be your frontline contact for all ticketing questions as well as helping you navigate your guest experience in the lobby before the show. Chas will also answer your questions about rentals at the theater and coordinate volunteers. Find out more about Chas. Did you know anyone can volunteer at The Grand? Volunteers help keep us as a friendly and community-oriented facility, plus you get to see some of the best entertainment in Central Georgia for free! To get on the list to volunteer, please email Chas here.

6. Playing tribute to our ’80s Babies

Let’s tease our big hair back up and don our oversized sweatshirts, because ’80s nostalgia reigns this spring at The Grand. First up, we’ll get our cabaret on with our high-octane local lounge act Broadway Does the ’80s – mixing musical standards from the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sondheim, and more with Broadway-fied pop songs like Madonna, Prince, and Whitney. You’ll get a kick out of the energy and power of the decade with these singing sensations right in the middle of the fun and excitement of the Cherry Blossom festival. Next, we’ll do a double feature movie night with the Brat Pack – yup, all your favorite John Hughes stars are back! We’ll take you back to the prom first with the upbeat teen romance Pretty in Pink and then shift to the darker St. Elmo’s Fire about twenty somethings navigating responsibility and crisis.

7. Yellow school buses piled up on Mulberry Street

This year, we brought back GrandKids, our Arts in Education program bringing local schoolchildren performances geared just for them. GrandKids is very special to what we do here in the theatre – giving children access to the arts opens up their hearts for a lifetime, and deepens their imagination. After years of not hearing the laughter of kids in the theatre due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing GrandKids back has been a wonderful joy! We love watching the school buses pull up in front of Mulberry Street and seeing the bright and happy faces “ooh and ahh” over the majesty of our historic venue for the first time. In the spring, we’re going to have The Pout-Pout Fish entertain Bibb County School District kids with a story of deep sea adventure

8. Seeing your horror-inspired or hilarious Halloween costumes

Last year, The Grand had your Halloween plans on lockdown with the showings of two popular movies as part of our film screening series – Hocus Pocus and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. We loved having live movie hosts keeping you laughing, a costume contest, and more! This year, we’re excited to announce that both Hocus Pocus and Rocky Horror will be BACK, and better than ever. You’ll be able to see the Sanderson Sisters on October 22nd and Dr. Frank-N-Furter will make a fabulous appearance on October 29th – mark your calendars! The same energetic contests and new surprises will be there to spook you out of your wits.

9. Not having to circle around for a spot or look for spare change

One thing you’ll never have to worry about coming to a show at The Grand Opera House in #DowntownMacon is parking. The Grand offers free and convenient parking adjacent to the building for all evenings and weekends for our patrons. If you are facing the front of The Grand on Mulberry Street, the parking lot is a surface is to the left of the building. So feel free to come down, grab a spot, and go get dinner before the show. We’ve got you covered for a convenient and easy night out. In fact, The Grand is all about making things easy. That’s why it’s so easy to get tickets and information about our performances. We have a box office phone line (478-301-5470) and physical ticket office open from 10 AM-5 PM, and one hour before most performances. You can always buy tickets online at thegrandmacon.com. Many people ask about online ticket fees, and here’s an insider tip — if you buy your tickets on the phone with the box office, you do not have to pay these fees.

10. Uncovering the stories of homes, seemingly forgotten

We’re working on creating a participatory performance about blight. If you live in Macon-Bibb, surely you’ve heard about blight as an issue, with over 4000 blighted homes across the county. We focus in on one historic neighborhood, Pleasant Hill, to hear the stories of empty homes when they were once alive, and to try to track why they have now faded. We’re turning this research in a new performance called Healing a Haunted House. We will then turn to you, our community and audience, to crowd-source solutions on how we can all come together in the #BlightFlight.

11. Discovering the flavors of the world only a quick stroll away…

Every year, downtown Macon becomes more of a destination. Now, when you prepare for a night out at The Grand, you also have the option of over 50 different eateries to choose from, with world-class cuisine that covers the flavors of the globe in a couple walkable blocks. In 2022, we look forward to the opening of Pearl, a chef-driven, Cajun-style concept from the creators of The Monkey’s Paw Tiki Bar (p.s. – if you haven’t made it over there, it’s the perfect nightcap after a weekend show). Another amazing food option is Kinjo Kitchen and Cocktails, an upscale Asian-fusion restaurant that we’ve partnered with for an exciting prix fixe pre-theatre dinner option on some of our events.

12. More high notes. More 11-o-clock numbers. More Broadway-style sass.

As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, The Grand decided to innovate. Known as the home of Broadway in Central Georgia, when we couldn’t bring the stars of Broadway to you, we brought the stars of our community into the spotlight with our virtual Bite-Sized Broadway Series, produced at The Grand by staff member Julia Rubens with music direction by McKinley Starks. Though the virtual concerts were thrown together quickly to try to bring people together while distanced, the seeds of this creative effort have blossomed. The entire Grand staff and volunteers worked in the fall of 2020 to turn the house inside out to safely produce the Broadway Does Cabaret Concert Series on the fire escape, with audience members pulling up lawn chairs and coolers into The Grand’s parking lot. Even after we’ve moved back inside, the energy and enthusiasm for our lounge-style act featuring spectacular vocals vamped by local stars has continued over the past two seasons. In March, we’ll welcome Broadway Does the ’80s and then end the season in May with Broadway Does Soul.

13. Spring is just around the corner when the Pinkest Party on Earth arrives!

Let’s face it, this is the worst weather all year! The cold and rainy season makes us dream of spring, and in Macon, nothing signals spring more than our internationally famous cherry blossoms. The Cherry Blossom Festival honors a relationship with Japan, and this year at The Grand, we’ll feature Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble so you can see this ancient art of Japanese drumming. Executive Director Joe Patti has brought Kenny Endo to the stage at numerous other venues, which drove his decision to have them at The Grand. Here’s why he thinks you should see the show: “He really is the first foreign-born person to get a license to do classical drumming. He spent over a decade in Japan. Because I saw him all the time in Hawaii, I took it for granted before I saw him as the opening act for another performer. He outshone the featured act! His authenticity and energy is unparalleled, and the respect he’s earned from percussionists across genres tells you he’s the real deal.”

14. Welcoming more new visitors than ever to see where soul lives

Next week, Hotel Forty Five plans to open to guests for the first time in their brand new, upscale, 90+ room hotel. This is the first hotel to open in downtown Macon in over 50 years and we are so excited that visitors will have a place to stay for concerts and events with just a short walk over to The Grand. We plan to create special offers and incentives to hotel visitors to welcome them to town at our theatre. Plus, their restaurant, coffee bar, and rooftop cocktail bar will create more opportunities to create a full night of entertainment when you come to see a show.

15. Covers that take a unique spin on the classic songs you know and love

When you think Macon, you think music, and the classics are songs that we love to hear again and again. We have so many unique covers of artists coming this spring so you can sing along with your all-time faves. First will be ABBA MANIA, the top tribute to ABBA that turns your night into an all out dance party. In March, we’ll bring the ultimate date night to you in the form of The TEN Tenors, a smooth vocal ensemble of multipart harmonies taking on romance with their show “Love is in the Air.” April showers will bring in vintage flowers to bloom with the electric-hot energy of Postmodern Jukebox, which has gone viral for doing the pop hits of today in the styles of yesteryear. Ever thought of Lizzo as big band? Want to see the Spice Girls made into jazz? PMJ will be a can’t-miss evening of surprises.

16. Look Ma, we’re on TV

We have a wonderful opportunity to partner with stars who have local ties to Macon’s legendary music history – and film it for all of America to see. A Night of Georgia Music headlines Robert McDuffie, Chuck Leavell, and Mike Mills for a night of Peach State favorites and one brand-new composition. Not only will sounds of Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers Band, R.E.M., Otis Redding, and more be here, the entire show is being filmed for a PBS special to air. We can’t wait to see ourselves on the screen. The show is sold out, but call our box office at 478-301-5470 to check out how you might have an opportunity to view this extraordinary production. Speaking of appearing on screen, The Grand was used as a filming location last year for the new FOX series Monarch, a drama about a dynastic country music, premiering this fall. Mark your calendars to not miss this series helmed by Susan Sarandon.

17. That special occasion with the people you love

We open The Grand up to all kinds of rentals by families and companies to mark special memories. Whether it’s a retirement party for a colleague, a graduation party, a rehearsal dinner, or more – you couldn’t envision a grand-er place for a party. Besides our 1000-seat auditorium and fully-equipped historic theatre, we also have two elegant reception rooms with full bars that are flexible for any occasion. Reach out to us to see if The Grand is right for your event.

18. “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!”

Our $5 film series has so many combinations of quotable favorite movie screenings, but one of the best is coming up. Monty Python and the Holy Grail has been a comedy hit for generations. Polish up your British accent as you travel along with some of the greatest comedians of the 20th century in this King Arthur-inspired tale of silly antics. Whether you’re a Monty Python diehard or you have never heard of this legendary group, you’re going to leave laughing. Many of our films are chosen as Audience Choice movies, so keep watch later in the spring to vote on the films you want to see next year in May. You can even buy a flexible Movie Pass to save even more and experience films with the whole family – five admissions are just $20!

19. Ballet buns on little ones

Dancin’, dancin’, dancin’… we’re a dancing machine! At the end of the school year, The Grand is super excited to say that we partner with many community groups to help them accomplish their performances, especially many private dance schools around Middle Georgia. Each year, there are hundreds of tiny ballerinas who have their first debut at The Grand. These recitals are a celebration of the hard work by the students throughout the year, and a way for them to put their skills into practice in a full performance environment. The atmosphere is wonderful for families, from our ample backstage space to the perfect photo opp spots after the show. We also love when we get to partner with local music organization The Otis Redding Foundation, which teaches young musicians to thrive and learn more about their craft. Their music camps bring the harmony of song and smiles to all audience faces when they show off their students’ creativity.

20. Burnishing up our indie film cred

Macon Film Festival is a great community organization that turns Macon into Hollywood for a week during the summer. The Grand was proud to serve as headquarters last year and to ticket all the events across venues. We know the film festival will bring the star power and unusual movies back this year. Bob Mavity, Senior Technical Director, has been involved with the film festival for many years. Here’s his take on what makes the festival special: “My favorite thing about the Macon Film Festival is getting the opportunity to meet filmmakers from around the world when they come to Macon. Just that interaction with them, to really find out what their vision is and see how it matches up with what is on the screen.”

21. Celebrating Macon’s music heritage – and our bright future

Each year, Macon builds upon our reputation as a town for music. Over the past few years, for example, we’ve seen landmark dive-bar Grant’s Lounge (where the greats have played after shows for 50 years) get renovated and Mercer Music at Capricorn take off as a cultural icon for Southern rock fans and an incubator for new music. And the beat won’t stop rolling in 2022. This season alone, the symphony has returned to Macon (here at The Grand!) with great flourish. A new amphitheater has been announced on the Macon Mall site that will break ground in 2022, leading to even bigger and better acts. And our friends at the Otis Redding Foundation have announced a new The Otis Redding Center for Creative Arts that they are fundraising to build. It seems we are in a new renaissance for Macon Music, and it will only get better with time!

22. Every moment we have with you.

It’s about more than tickets and showtimes. We’re here for the hugs in the lobby, the toasts to good news, the laughter that goes on a little too long. We enjoy every minute of being open and available as a community gathering place. So the biggest thing we’re looking forward to in 2022 is simply seeing you here.

an art and performance festival

OCTOBER 23-24

Picture yourself at The Grand this fall: Envision a colorful cultural celebration with interactive activities, an opportunity to see a brand new type of performance, find classes for arts education, buy homemade decor, and experience a true explosion of creative energy from all different corners and perspectives in our community. This is Macon Art eXplosion (MAX).

So what is Macon Art eXplosion?

Macon Art eXplosion (MAX) is an all-weekend, radically inclusive artist-centered cultural celebration with interactive family activities and demos, a craft market, exhibitions on the main stage, and exciting site-specific micro-performances and installations on October 23 and 24. MAX was created by artists, for artists, and submissions to the festival will be juried by a council of practicing artists from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

Anyone can submit to MAX and an artist can submit multiple entries for different ideas. There are no table fees or application fees – we want this to be open and available to everyone from the most reputable professional painter to the nine-year-old prodigy singer that currently headlines her living room voice recitals. We also want to encourage risky and experimental ideas that artists may not have felt supported to show before.

Our aim is to explode the venue with arts and cultural activities from Macon’s eclectic creative community that are open to everyone and where audiences will learn something new.

How will it work?

We were inspired by open submission art festivals and Fringe festivals in other cities. With that in mind, we will open up the space at The Grand as wide as possible over the weekend for art.

There will be three different ways to engage and explore Macon Art eXplosion:

1. Maker Merchant Spaces: These are table/booth spaces to both showcase your wares and to perform interactive art activities (we love the idea of ones that are family friendly!). As an example, while Dushawn may be selling his screen-printed t-shirts and gifts at his booth, Katie might be leading a chalk-art demo for kids at hers. YOU set your prices 100% for Maker-Merchant tables and there are ZERO application fees – being a participating maker or artisan is totally free upfront. The Grand will take a 15% commission on items sold to cover the cost of your participation. We accept local (to Middle Georgia) and handmade goods, items, and activities. We’d love to encourage activities that make art and creative activities appealing for youth and booths that have a variety of price points for accessibility, but most importantly we want you to sell and present the work that you do. These spaces will be available in the lobby, CenterState and Encore rooms, and in front of the Grand on the sidewalk. APPLY TO MAKER MERCHANT SPACES NOW
2. Stage Shout-Out Spots: Give a sneak peek to what you perform, create, or teach with these slots onstage – approximately 15-20 minutes long. Do you have a creative business bringing art to parties? Do you run kid’s camps or classes in your creative discipline? Do you run awesome comedy shows? Give a taste of who you are to your audience. We’ll have people cycling in and out of the auditorium all day with these spots to market and spotlight you. APPLY FOR A STAGE SHOUT-OUT SPOT NOW
3. Guerilla Grand Spaces: What can YOU do to activate a unique space with your mini-concert, gallery show, play, or interactive performance? We present six spaces on the fringes that are ripe to be turned into a creative paradise. And it’s not just the locations that are meant to be edgy – we want your weird, wacky, and wonderful ideas. These site-specific gallery or performance spaces are the fire escape, green room, dressing rooms, balcony stair landing, top of balcony, and The Grand boxes. What can YOU make in those spaces? A cubby concert in a dressing room to an audience of 4? A stairway gallery? A comedy show using The Grand boxes? APPLY FOR A GUERILLA GRAND SPACE NOW

Applications are open now through September 30th. For questions, please email Julia at rubens_ja@mercer.edu.

Over the coming days, we will be adding resources for applicants and an FAQ on our website on this page. We will have multiple tours of the venue available and at least one informational Zoom session for applicants to learn more.

Funded by an On the Table mini-grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

Create. Explore. Connect. To the MAX.

SITE TOURS AND Q&As

Interested in applying to Macon Art eXplosion but need to learn more? Come to one of our site tours:

WEDNESDAY 9/22 AT 6 PM: Creative Conversations, hosted by Anna Richards and Erin Hawkins

Join Macon’s vibrant artist and creatives group, Creative Conversations, as they host a tour at The Grand for people interested in applying. Walk around the whole space, brainstorm ideas for submitting to the festival, and connect and network with other creatives! FREE DRINKS AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

SATURDAY 9/25 FROM 2-4 PM

Hang Out at The Grand! Kick off your weekend by coming to see a site tour and learn about applying to Macon Art eXplosion. FREE DRINKS AND PIZZA PROVIDED!

MONDAY 9/27 AT 4 PM

Last minute site tour! Still looking for information and inspiration? Meet up with other artists and learn about applying to Macon Art eXplosion! FREE DRINKS AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED!

Frequently Asked Questions and Site Photos

Who can apply?

We encourage anyone – and we mean anyone – with a bold idea to apply for Macon Art eXplosion. This includes artists and creatives of all ages and backgrounds. Our only requirements is that your gifts/art are handcrafted – not part of a larger corporation’s products. Even if you are unsure of an idea, please feel free to apply! Our artist council can provide specific feedback even in the event that your work is not accepted.

We encourage both visual and performing artists to apply with all kinds of ideas. We want your one-woman operas and group paint and sips. We are looking for any idea we can house in the building. The only limitation on the type of work is that most submissions will have a relatively small amount of installation time and that nothing can be hung from our walls – as a historic theatre, we are a little old and delicate!

What does the “blind jury” process mean?

A group of Macon visual and performing artists from all disciplines was selected to be on the artist council who will be judging the applications. The “blind jury” aspect refers to the fact that all applications will strip your name from consideration during the council reading and discussing the applications. This is meant to focus our attention on the work that you are submitting, not your perceived reputation or previous experience.

What does it cost?

The event costs artists nothing to apply or exhibit. That’s right, the number is 0. There are no fees involved. You can set your own prices for your work or performance during the event. There is a 15% commission being taken on items sold or tickets sold to help cover the costs of the event.

I want to participate, but I’m not sure where my application fits in.

Please go to one of our site visits or contact Julia Rubens at rubens_ja@mercer.edu. We want to figure out a way to envision your work at this event!!

Admission for kids are free. Does that mean all exhibits are family-friendly?

We are emphasizing family-friendly activities, but not all artistic expressions at the festival may be appropriate for children. We will have a color-coded marker at the doorway to each exhibition or performance to indicate age appropriateness. That way, the littles can have a great time, the artists can present their work authentically, and parents won’t be confused about what will work for them!

Photos

Maker Merchant Spaces

Description: Tables for Maker/Merchant Spaces and activities can happen in front of The Grand, in either of our reception rooms the SouthState Room or the Encore Room, or the lobby. You can receive one 8′ table and one chair from The Grand to sell your wares or do an activity.

Stage Shout-Out Spots

Description: Stage Shout-Out Spots will happen on The Grand Stage in 15-20 minute increments. We will provide you with a microphone and the ability to project imagery.

Guerilla Grand Spaces

Description: Multiple spaces around The Grand are available for pop-up galleries and performances. These are customized to fit your vision. Our main restriction is that we can’t hang pieces directly from the walls of our historic space.

1) The Grand Fire Escape: Multiple levels and architectural metal staircase.

2) Staircase up to the balcony: This stairwell has multiple levels with several nooks and crannies for an interesting site-specific performance or exhibition.

3) Top of Grand Balcony: This is a long, hallway-type space at the top of the staircase.

4) The Grand Box Seats: The iconic boxes are a staple fixture of the architecture at The Grand. Each holds six seats and there are three levels of boxes on each side of the stage connected by staircases.

5) The Grand Stage: The main stage!

6) The Green Room: Our backstage room where performers hang out! Could be a great intimate or edgy show venue.

7) The Dressing Rooms: There are three small “star dressing rooms” upstairs backstage. Downstairs, there are two larger ensemble dressing rooms which each have shower rooms attached. All have the lightbulb vanities pictured.

When many people picture themselves at The Grand, they imagine spending time enjoying a performance with family and friends or showing their support through donations.

There are actually quite a few other ways to become involved with The Grand and learn interesting things about our historic performing arts venue.

Volunteer – Most people who volunteer at The Grand Opera House participate as ushers during performances. They have an opportunity to see portions of every touring performance, concert and movie at The Grand while being the welcoming face for both familiar friends and new visitors to our community.

We will be having a small reception to catch up with our devoted volunteers at the end of August. It will also be an opportunity for anyone interested in joining as a new member to chat with people who have seen great performances over the years.

For more information about the gathering or to learn more about volunteering, contact Sarah Deck at 478-301-5464 or deck_so@mercer.edu

Back Stage With Bob – Bob Mavity is the iconic tech director at The Grand. He is renowned as a problem-solver — not just at The Grand, but in other parts of Macon and across the state. But he will tell you, no big problem can be solved alone. Longtime crew members like Ty, Brendan, Tony, Paul, Kam, Vance, Patrick, and Tom have been a big part of The Grand Opera House’s success.

Backstage work is often intermittent over the course of a year, but if you are the type of person interested in a paid opportunity that reveals the secrets behind the amazing effects that light up the stage, contact Bob at 478-301-5465 mavity_rj@mercer.edu to be added to our list and special social media group.

Circle of Friends – In recent years we have had gatherings of people who have been enthusiastic attendees of The Grand. We started the little parties as a way to get some feedback from people, but it quickly became clear that the real benefit was people being able to meet and chat with each other in a way they couldn’t before a show or at intermission.

While these people are supporters of The Grand, they have definitely voiced a lot of opinions about what could be better.

In the past year, there have been many people who started attending events for the first time, or first time in a very long time. Whether you have been a regular attendee for years or someone who has just started, if you think The Grand could be better than it is and do a better job at being welcoming and accessible to our whole community, we would love to have you join us for some snacks and conversation.

To find out about the next gathering, contact Sarah Deck at 478-301-5464 or deck_so@mercer.edu

Sarah Deck is our new Director of Patron Services and Rentals for The Grand Opera House. Check out her perspective on what it’s like to give service to a historic institution:

For better or worse, patrons are what make the job interesting. If you’ve ever worked in the service industry, than you know exactly what I mean. When I was college student, I worked in the box office at The Grand as a Box Office Clerk. I answered the phones during my shifts, meaning I was interacting with our patrons directly on a regular basis.

On this particular day, I received a phone call from an older man looking to buy tickets to see Gregg Allman play. As I helped him pick out his seats, this kind man regaled me with his tales of the past. He told me about how he had also went to Mercer University, lived next door to Gregg when he was younger, saw the Allman Brothers play at a small club downtown where he talked with the band, and so on.

Before he got off the phone, he told me how much he appreciated me taking the time to listen to him. He said that it was important to tell these stories to keep Macon’s history alive. I couldn’t have agreed more! As a lifelong Maconite (and Allman Brothers fan) it was such a special treat for me to take his phone call and learn his history.

For the first time since I had started working at the Grand, I felt like I was a part of something larger than myself.

Just by answering that call and being willing to listen, I was able to create a great experience for this patron. We made a connection that truly made me love working at The Grand Opera House and interacting with patrons. Nearly six years later, my love for The Grand and our patrons has only grown as I have moved up from Box Office Clerk all the way to the incoming Director of Patron Services and Rentals.

As I settle into my new position, I hope to continue to create amazing patron experiences for each person who walks through the door. If there is anything I can do to help make your experience GRAND don’t hesitate to let me know!

She does more than sell tickets. Want to plan a special event – like a birthday private movie screening, a historic downtown wedding reception, or the perfect community concert? Contact Sarah here to stop dreaming and start doing.

We hear lots of chatter in The Grand lobby when working events. Here, Executive Director Joe Patti explains some of the phrases that come to mind from patrons.

I have lived here all my life, but never been inside – This is the most common phrase heard at theaters and arts organizations across the world. It’s fine if you haven’t been inside before. Often, our lives and interests aren’t aligned with everything going on in our community — then suddenly you want to be part of it all and enjoy it so much you can’t imagine why you didn’t start years ago. This doesn’t just apply to the arts, it could be discovering an appreciation for local walking trails or a type of cuisine.

Many times people are proud to live in a community where places like The Grand Opera House, The Douglass Theatre, the Tubman Museum, Museum of Arts and Sciences, cool downtown life and businesses exist. They may not go to these places often, but they will brag about how great their town is to their friends. It all contributes to a sense of excitement and vitality.

WOW! So we have heard that a lot in the last couple years when people first walked into the renovated restrooms. People were really suffering under the old building configuration, and we were happy we were able to remedy that. More frequently, we hear some version of “Wow” when people walk into the theater. Sometimes it is visitors from out of town, but last week it was local scouts for film and TV productions looking to film in Macon. We had two different productions come in to look on consecutive days last week, and they both seemed to be excited by what they saw.

I never knew The Grand was a safe space. This was a specific comment made to me over lunch. And my response was that maybe it wasn’t prior to the last few years. Since I started as executive director three years ago, we have been working to make The Grand more welcoming to everyone in the community. As bad as Covid was, one benefit it provided was that people’s expectations and perception of The Grand began to change. As we offered different types of programming than we had in the past and received a good response, the idea of what The Grand should be and who it should be has shifted.

This has happened before in our history. When The Allman Brothers first started playing here, there was grumbling that people were wearing jeans and t-shirts to The Grand. Now, like so much of Macon, it is hard to imagine The Grand not being a part of Allman Brothers history. Not only does that history continues today with performances of Allman Betts Band or Georgia Allman Brothers Band Association’s annual festival, but back in the ’70s, Gregg Allman and Cher bought a house called “The Grand Topper” whose proceeds went to support saving The Grand.

I didn’t know that about The Grand! With 116 years of history, there is a lot that has happened here, like horses racing on a treadmill for a production of Ben-Hur, Harry Houdini cutting a trap door in the floor, ghost tales, and the long relationship with Nutcracker of Middle Georgia and Macon Civic Club performances.

The staff knows a lot of the stories, but even we learn new things. Up until about five years ago, we were claiming the Grand was built in 1884. This assumed our building was constructed on the foundation of the Academy of Music building which preceded it. Only to find out in our most recent renovation that The Grand probably doesn’t even have a basement wall in common with the older theater.

Want to make some memories of your own on our historic stage? Consider a Movie Pass for just $20 to see endless cult classic films in an elevated setting or subscribe to our Broadway Does Cabaret Concert Series to get a year’s worth of date nights for $30.

Above: Audience members in the lobby of our latest show Treasure Maps: The Georgia Storytelling Roadshow