A spotlight on what’s to come for local theaters 

Macon and Warner Robins community theaters have a range of plays, musicals and dramas coming to complete their 2025–26 seasons. Some are classics and others are newer works with local connections.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead on stage, plus comments from theater leaders reflecting on the past year and looking ahead at 2026.

It’s a challenge for them to talk about favorites — they’ll admit to only love for all their productions and casts — but from our conversations, I’ve singled out a selection of highlights, thoughts and special moments.

Macon Little Theatre

JP Haynie, MLT’s artistic director, told me he’s particularly looking forward to March’s production of “The Unpredictable Times.” The reason? The play itself, of course, but he also pointed to the fact that its author is Macon-born Kevin Ray Johnson.

“The Unpredictable Times” is a coming-of-age drama involving five young friends gathering for what they hope is one last unforgettable summer before having to face the “real world” as adults. Heartfelt and thought-provoking, their story is something with which audiences can easily relate.

But no, the play doesn’t hark back to Macon high school memories. Though born here, Haynie said Johnson left while in elementary school and made his high school memories in Minnesota.

“I’ve really enjoyed working on the Agatha Christie show coming in late January and look forward to our second After Dark production of the season, ‘Heathers,’ in May, but getting to do something by a successful actor-playwright who was born here in Macon is something that doesn’t happen every season.

“Kevin has had a really successful career as a performer, writer and musician and actually has a Grammy for work with a New York opera company. He’s currently working in regional theater. ‘Unpredictable Times’ is an amazing show, and Kevin will be here on and off during preparation and its run,” Haynie said.

He noted that he’s happy MLT has several new directors, choreographers, actors and others taking their place alongside the company’s longtime volunteers.

“Sometimes I wonder if audiences fully realize what really, really talented people we have as directors and performers and in other roles,” he said. “Not just at our theater but in all of Macon and Middle Georgia’s theaters. And I think all of our theaters are in a good place and are rooting for each other, rather than just being competitive as might have been the case in some years past. 

“I think we all realize the role community theater has in giving those involved a place to let their art shine from the stage and, on the other hand, giving audiences great theater experiences,” he said.

Macon Little Theatre’s remaining 2025–26 productions:

— “Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None,” Jan. 30–Feb. 8

— “Footloose,” Feb. 20–22

— “The Unpredictable Times,” March 20–29

— “Heathers,” May 8–17

— “Once Upon a Mattress,” June 12–14

— “The Wizard of Oz,” July 17–26

Theatre Macon

Looking back at 2025, Richard Frazier-Sostillio, executive and artistic director of Theatre Macon, said, “I think the greatest accomplishment of 2025 was the creation of our new Studio Theatre, which is on the second floor of Theatre Macon’s downtown facility. Because of it, we’ll be able to create even more intimate and immersive theater for our community.”

I caught up with Frazier-Sostillio while he was busy working with young thespians at a youth theater festival in Atlanta.

As for what he’s looking forward to in 2026, that was a no-brainer.

“I’m most looking forward to celebrating Theatre Macon’s 40th anniversary,” he said. “We have some very exciting things cooking and a whole lot to celebrate.”

More to come on that, but in part, the celebration reflects the basic role community theater plays in Macon.

“Community theater is important for a multitude of reasons, but the most important is right there in the name — community,” Frazier-Sostillio said. “Theatre Macon has been an entity in our community for nearly 40 years, where people from all walks of life can come to listen, learn and be entertained. 

“Community theater is essential as it serves to tell the stories that directly impact or reflect the community it serves. I’m proud we are a small part of Macon and Middle Georgia’s culture.”

Theatre Macon’s remaining 2025–26 season productions:

— “Between the Lines Jr.,” Jan. 23–Feb. 1

— “Noises Off,” March 6–15

— “Cloud 9,” April 10–19

— “Come From Away,” May 1–10

— “Dear Evan Hansen,” June 5–14

— “Grease,” July 10–25

Warner Robins Little Theatre

Warner Robins Little Theatre also saw change in 2025, according to Dot Leach, the theatre’s executive board president.

“It was an amazing year for Warner Robins Little Theatre,” she said. “We were able to purchase new seats for the theater and had each one adopted by a sponsor. We were able to put in a new outbuilding for set construction and storage and put in new air conditioning and heat backstage and in the men’s dressing room. We also got a new online ticketing system, which is a real plus for us. In its own way, that makes for a banner year for us.”

To bring the magic to the stage year in and year out, a lot of day-to-day practical, logistical and operational things have to happen.

“You’ve got to keep it all running and it takes the support of our community,” Leach said. “As a volunteer from the president on, you have to be willing to pitch in and make things happen. Even the plumbing. We’d just spent all this money and were working out back when I saw something bubbling up from the ground. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what Jed Clampett saw; we hadn’t found oil — it was a busted sewer pipe we had to get fixed. It’s just part of it.”

Leach has seen a lot — both in and around the theater — since she became involved in the thespian community at 13. 

“We’ve had such good patrons and actors and production volunteers from the start in 1962,” she said. “Of course, many have gotten older and some have passed, but it’s exciting to see quite a number of new and younger people getting involved these days.”

As for the year ahead, the theater season ends soon and they’ll be announcing a new slate of works — but not yet.

“I’m very excited about the new season, probably more excited about it than I’ve been in a long time,” Leach said. “We’ll be doing theater classics, but we’ll also be branching out into some very exciting new things. I can’t wait to see audiences’ reactions.”

The local theater has a group of rotating directors for its plays, and Abi Brown is directing “The Constant Wife,” opening Feb. 7.

“What excites me about directing this play is that — although it was written nearly 100 years ago — its themes of empowerment, double standards and agency feel incredibly current,” she said. “The story deals with familiar themes like betrayal and gossip, which gives me room to present something fresh through its staging and emotional tone. It’s relevant today because it explores the difference between honesty and transparency.”

Brown has worked on about 10 productions since becoming involved with the theatre in 2021. She’s had the opportunity to serve as a cast member, director, stage manager, costumer, choreographer and producer.

Warner Robins Little Theatre’s remaining 2025–26 season productions:

— “The Constant Wife,” Feb. 7–22

— “And You Can Dance: Hits of the ’80s & ’90s,” Feb. 9–10

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com. Find him on Instagram at @michael_w_pannell.