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The Douglass Theatre has a long fascinating history (Photographer Nate Weeks)
The Douglass Theatre in Downtown Macon was founded 105 years ago by Charles Henry Douglass to bring quality entertainment from African American artists and performers to Middle Georgia's residents.
Iconic performers Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington all performed at the Douglass. Performances there also helped launch the careers of music superstars Otis Redding and Little Richard.
Movies for and by African Americans were shown at the Douglass Theatre during the 1920s. It also became a place to meet during times of racial turbulence.
Douglass founded the Douglass Theatre in 1921, after he had already become a skilled theatre developer specializing in vaudeville and entertainment. Douglass was born in February 1870 in Macon to a father who was a former slave who then became a carpenter. He first worked in a bicycle rental and repair shop, then, in 1901, Douglass became director of the Georgia Loan and Savings Company, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Fannie Appling.
Douglass grew so successful that he became known as Macon's wealthiest African American. His success led to danger, and at one point, the Ku Klux Klan put a bounty on his head due to his involvement in the Black Arts Movement.
The Douglass Theatre will celebrate the birthday anniversary of Douglass on his birthday this month, on Tuesday, February 17th, during the theater's Homecoming Week.
The theater was open from 1921 until the 1970s, when it ceased operation. The passage of time led to the Douglass Theatre being at risk of demolition.
Community members, who later formed the non-profit Friends of the Douglass Theatre, saved the historic theatre from demolition in the 1990s. The Douglass Theatre was then renovated, with central heating and air installed along with modern stage lighting, speakers, and a projector.
The Douglass Theatre now presents original plays and special events throughout the year, with February being an especially busy month in celebration of Black History Month as well as the birthday of Douglass.
Film lovers can attend screenings of a wide range of educational and meaningful films in the Douglass Theatre, presented by the Macon Film Guild. The Douglass Theatre also acts as a venue for movie screenings during the guild's annual Macon Film Festival.
Middle Georgia State University also presents its 28th College Town Film Series there this month, with Jacqueline Pinkowitz's "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" playing on Thursday, February 12th, and Patrick Brennan's "I Shot Andy Warhol" playing on Thursday, February 19th.
Middle Georgia State University's 2026 College Town Film Series is taking place this month (Photographer Nate Weeks)Live opera from the Metropolitan opera in New York City is screened at the Douglass Theatre as well.
The Douglass Theatre is truly a gem in the heart of Downtown Macon. The fascinating history of the theater, and the incredible success of its founder in a time where that success was met with life threatening danger from an infamously racist organization, makes its continued operation even more special and incredible.
