Grand Opera House goes “curtains up” under new name

The Grand Opera House in downtown Macon has been renamed to the Piedmont Grand Opera House under a new naming sponsorship between Piedmont and the theater.

Sponsors, Opera House leadership and local county officials convened at the Grand Opera House at 11 a.m. Thursday morning to announce the name change and unveil a new sign in the lobby.

William Underwood, president of Mercer University, said the theater has been an institution in downtown Macon for nearly 120 years and has been a “community asset.”

Mercer has managed the Grand Opera House for about the past 30 years. The venue also acts as a performing arts center under the university.

Stephen Daugherty, the CEO of Piedmont Macon, said taking on the naming sponsorship was an “easy decision” because of the theater’s longevity and his personal relationships within Mercer.

“The arts are often an overlooked part of the overall wellness and mental health of our community,” he said at the announcement. “The arts spark imagination and foster a sense of inclusiveness and connectivity.”

The theater itself will not be the only part of the downtown spot getting a new name. Frank Wood, the executive director of the Grand Opera House, announced the reception room would be branded under Cox Communications and the theater’s broadway show series coming in February would be renamed under Genesis of Macon.

Wood said sponsorships like the ones announced today allow them to offer discounted or free tickets and curate a variety of shows so there’s something for everyone.

He said the Opera House has worked with Piedmont and Mercer for many years, and this latest sponsorship proves the extent of their “synergy.” 

“Nonprofit arts cannot exist without help and support from the community,” Wood said. “They are fuelling us to be able to fulfill our mission.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story listed Frank Wood as James Wood, his name has since been corrected.