Grand Theatre History

Since 1929, The Grand Theatre has served as the cultural centerpiece of Bartow County.

The theatre provides a wide range of educational, performing arts and entertainment programs throughout the year. It is also the premier rental space for other local performing arts organizations.

The mission of The Grand Theatre is to foster a life-long appreciation for the performing arts by offering quality educational programs and providing a variety of cultural events to diverse audiences in Bartow County.

The Grand accomplishes its mission by maintaining a high level of integrity and professionalism, by actively seeking input from the community about programs and entertainment options, and by emphasizing the positive effects of participation in the arts. All this and more while preserving the heritage of the Theatre.

In the early 1900’s The Grand Theatre was a gathering place for the community. The theatre welcomed community groups for cultural performances of music and drama. Traveling artists were featured as well. In the early 20’s it was equipped with the latest technology in cinematic projection, continually updating the equipment. It was also one of the few establishments in town featuring air conditioning. Travelogues exposed the population to the world outside Bartow County. Newsreels kept the citizens apprised of local and international affairs.

As a theatre in the South, The Grand was subject to the rules of racial segregation. African American citizens were made to enter the theatre through a separate entrance. After the fire in 1923, a staircase took them to a segregated lobby area featuring a separate concession stand and restroom. A doorway led to the upper balcony of the theatre which was separated from the lower areas of the house by a low wall. No access between the two areas existed.

With the onset of talking movies, the community became familiar with the biggest movie stars of the day. Often stars would tour along with the movies and make appearances at The Grand. Some noted stars appearing at the Grand were Smiley Burdette (western comic actor), Little Beaver (Robert Blake), Kitty Wells, Lash Laroo, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In January of 1943, The Grand Theatre was a gathering place for the community after the shock of the attack at Pearl Harbor. A mass defense meeting was held to help the community create a plan for volunteerism and support of the troops. War bond drives were conducted in and outside of the theatre.

In the 40’s the Grand was the center of entertainment for the community. Children would come to the theatre for the day. For 15 cents they could see a cartoon, a newsreel, a western, a serial, and a main feature. In 1945 the theatre hosted a controversial movie called “Mom and Dad.” It featured information about “hygiene” and even included a live birth. Men and women came to separate showings to maintain modesty. In 1948, the theatre was the subject of a community vote on whether to allow the theatre to stay open for business on Sundays.

From the 1950’s through the 70’s, The Grand Theatre was managed as a Martin Theatre, presenting first-run movies which changed frequently. Student matinees were shown at which school children would walk to the theatre to see movies of special significance such as “Gone With the Wind.” During the 70’s, the downtown area of Cartersville began to decline. Many businesses closed or moved to strip malls which were being constructed in other areas of town.

The Martin Theatre Company constructed a new “twin” theatre on the other side of town, and in April of 1977, The Grand showed its last movie, “Silver Streak.”

The Grand Theatre’s programming was kept alive between 1978 and 1983 by a local theatre group called The Pumphouse Players. Cartersville native William Brown served as manager for The Grand, bringing in shows including rock and roll bands, beauty pageants, and plays. The Pumphouse Players performed plays including “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “The King and I,” and “Oklahoma”. Though the Pumphouse members worked very hard to maintain the theatre, it was an overwhelming task, and the building greatly needed refurbishing. They mounted a “Save the Grand” campaign to make the community aware that the theatre was a local historic treasure, well worth saving.

The campaign was successful as the Grand Theatre was purchased by a local resident and slated for a complete renovation. In 1988, Don Kordecki was hired as manager of the renovation project. The theatre was completely converted from movie theatre to live-performance venue including stage expansion, fly system, orchestra pit, lighting and sound equipment. The Grand Theatre re-opened as a live-performance venue on May 19, 1989. It was managed by The Etowah Education Foundation for the next 11 years.

Cartersville became one of the only cities in Georgia with its own opera company. It began as The Grand Theatre Opera Company and later was renamed as The Cartersville Opera, under the direction of Jonalyn and George Bew. They produced two opera performances a year and exposed the community to a new genre of entertainment. This also brought nationally known performers to Cartersville as well as patrons from all over the state.

In 1999, the Grand began to offer educational programs for children in the community, teaching academic subjects through music, dance, and drama. The summer camp program for students expanded to include over 100 students each summer. Over the years the theatre has offered musical theatre productions, choral groups, and acting classes for students as well.

The Grand Theatre became the center of culture for the community with groups renting the facility for ballet, drama, musical theatre, business meetings, ethnic celebrations, and music from many genres. In 2003 the theatre initiated an annual entertainment series featuring orchestral performances, bluegrass, country music, comedy, oldies, and tribute shows. A volunteer program was established to include the community in the theatre programming

In January of 1910, Mr. J.W. Smith of Atlanta announced that he would soon be constructing a new Opera House at the corner of Wall Street and Market Streets in downtown Cartersville, Georgia in the old Exchange Hotel. In November of that year, The Greenwood Theatre was opened. Patrons entered on Wall Street with a segregated entrance from Market St., now known as Cherokee St. The theatre, which occupied the second floor of the building, seated 800 and featured a 20-foot by 50-foot stage.

In 1923 a fire originating in a nearby livery stable destroyed most of the buildings on the block where the Grand Theatre was located. The theatre was rebuilt using parts of the outer wall. It reopened in 1924 with office and business spaces on either side of the theatre and the segregated entrance was moved to Wall St.

In 1929 a complete refurbishing of the theatre was begun by architects Daniell and Beutell also architects for the Madison and Buckhead Theatres in nearby Atlanta, GA). At this time the theatre was managed by Manning and Wink Enterprises. The Grand has a most impressive neo-Palladian front with double pilasters framing three plaster panels. The upper facade cornice is quite elaborate, flanked with classical urns, a railing of stone ballusters at each end, and "faux fenestration" of three oriole windows. In 1930, a newly designed façade was built on the theatre featuring the Beaux-Arts style of architecture with Corinthian columns, urns, swags, and an elaborate marquee. The interior was appointed with plaster relief carvings, stained glass skylights, and terrazzo flooring. A small stage remained for occasional live performances, but motion pictures were the main attraction. It was advertised as offering new air conditioning, cushions on the seats, a new screen, and the latest talking devices.

From 1978 to 1988, the theatre was utilized by The Pumphouse Players, a local community theatre group. They struggled to maintain the facility, often building stage thrust and innovative rigging for lights and sets. They soon realized that the theatre was in danger of falling into an irreparable state. Taking a cue from The Fox Theatre’s “Save the Fox” campaign, they initiated a similar campaign for The Grand.

1982 The gas station located behind the theatre on Gilmer Street was acquired to serve as a green room and dressing area. It was refurbished to meet equity standards. A connecting stairway was created between the two buildings giving access to the stage area.

1988 As an outgrowth of the “Save the Grand” campaign, the theatre was purchased by a local resident and Don Kordecki was hired as manager of a year-long renovation project. The theatre was completely converted from movie theatre to live-performance venue including stage expansion, fly system, orchestra pit, lighting and sound equipment. A false ceiling was installed. The segregated area was reconfigured as a control booth and storage area. The color scheme for the interior of the house was teal and eggplant.

nal movie ticket booth in the lobby was removed and concession stand boarded up.

An extensive renovation in 2005-2006 gave The Grand a beautiful new look, harkening back to its original art deco look of the 1930’s. Upon entering the lobby, you see a beautiful gold “G” inlaid in the terrazzo floor. To the right, you will see an expanded concessions area, and adjacent to that, The Encore Room-- The Grand’s reception hall.

All restrooms have been refurbished with beautiful black and white tiling and accommodations for more patrons. Facilities for handicapped visitors have been expanded and improved. The décor of the lobby now features detailed wood paneling and wooden columns lining the walls. Coved lighting adds an elegant feel to the room. Additional terrazzo flooring was added to portions of the lobby floor.

Many improvements have also been made inside the theatre. A new color scheme features burgundy and gold designs on the walls, carpets and seating. The house area ceiling has been replaced and changed from white to black. Lighting in the ceiling has been moved and lowered to provide maximum use of the lights. This required building a gondola and catwalk for access to the fixtures. Additional lighting has also been added to the side walls to give more depth to the lighting affects used on the stage apron. The walls surrounding the entryway and balcony areas are now

inlaid with beautifully detailed woodwork. The new seats are roomier and more comfortable. All in all, the theatre gives an elegant atmosphere to each performance.

1910 The Greenwood Theatre was constructed inside the Exchange Hotel at the corner of Wall and Market Streets.

1911 A contest to rename the theatre was held, resulting in the new name, Grand Opera House. Performances included live shows, orchestra concerts, and plays.. Also featured were silent “moving pictures”.

1923 On November 15, 1923, a fire broke out in the stable located adjacent to the opera house. The entire block was destroyed, including the theatre. The theatre was rebuilt on a smaller scale using some of the outer walls of the building which were still standing.

1929 The first “talkie”, or motion picture with synchronized picture and sound, debuted on May 9, 1929. It was called “Syncopation.” A complete refurbishing of the theatre was begun by architects Daniell and Beutell (also architects for the Madison and Buckhead Theatres in nearby Atlanta, GA). At this time the theatre was managed by Manning and Wink Enterprises.

1930 The Grand Theatre reopened with its current façade, displaying a neo-Palladian front with double pilasters framing three plaster panels. The upper facade cornice was flanked with classical urns, a railing of stone balustrades at each end, and "faux fenestration" of three oriole windows.

1943 A mass civil defense meeting was held at the Grand to prepare the community for wartime readiness.

1950 The Grand Theatre serves as the center of culture for Cartersville. Patrons arrived to stay all day on Saturdays viewing a cartoon, newsreel, western, serial, and a main feature.

1977 Late in the summer of 1977, the Grand Theatre, then owned and operated by The Martin Theatre Company, presented its last public movie performance “Silver Streak” starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.

1978-1983 The Grand Theatre’s programming was kept alive by a local theatre group called The Pumphouse Players and The Cartersville Opera Company. They mounted a “Save the Grand” campaign to make the community aware that the theatre was a local historic treasure. The campaign was successful as the Grand Theatre was purchased by a local resident and slated for a complete renovation.

1988 Don Kordecki was hired as manager of the renovation project. The theatre was completely converted from movie theatre to live-performance venue including stage expansion, fly system, orchestra pit, lighting and sound equipment. The Grand Theatre re-opened as a live-performance venue on May 19, 1989 with a production called “Gallivantin’ at the Grand”. The first Summer Music Theatre Camp presented “The Wizard of Oz” directed by Don Kordecki, George and Jonalyn Bew, and Mary Reardon.

1989 Educational performances for children were provided by The Etowah Foundation as well as cultural events such as Bill Haley’s Comets. The first performance of “The Nutcracker” was presented by Cartersville City Ballet.

1990 Local cable Channel 4 began producing “The Betty Crane Show” in the theatre as well as political debates and charitable telethons.

1994 Programs celebrating African-American culture included the MLK Day Celebration and “My Children! My Africa!”

1995 The Cartersville Opera Company continued to present performances at The Grand including “Cosi Fan Tutti” and an original opera written by Cartersville native George Bew—“The Three Piggy Opera”—especially for children.

1996 The Cobb Symphony Orchestra and The Big Chicken Chorus were repeat performers at The Grand as well as the annual Junior Miss Pageant.

1997 “Every Child Is A Star,” a children’s talent show, held its first fundraiser at the theatre to benefit the local children’s shelter.

1998 The Grand Theatre hired a full-time program coordinator and began offering extended classroom programs, teaching children academic lessons through the arts.

1999 The Summer Music Theatre Camp program expanded to include two elementary camps, a middle school camp, and a senior high camp.

2001 It was during a camp for home-schoolers that the 9/11 attacks occurred. The theatre chose to continue with the program as a tribute to the fallen. The Grand produced its first adult community production with “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” directed by Don Kordecki and Terri Cox.

2003 The Grand Theatre produced its highest usage numbers to date with programs presented by The Booth Museum, Grand Educational Programs, The Bartow History Center, Theatre For Youth, Cartersville Ballet, ACT I, and others. The theatre also began an annual Entertainment Series.

2004 The theatre closed in August for a complete renovation. Old theatre seats were distributed to members of the community. A time capsule was placed in a space underneath the concrete floor near an exit.

2005 An extensive renovation in 2004-2005 gave The Grand a new look, harkening back to its original art deco look of the 1930’s. Terrazzo flooring was added to areas of the lobby. All restrooms were refurbished with black and white tiling and accommodations for more patrons. Facilities for handicapped visitors were expanded and improved. The lobby was enhanced with detailed wood paneling, wooden columns and coved lighting. Inside the theatre, a new color scheme featured burgundy and gold designs on the walls, carpets and seating. A gondola and catwalk was built to give access to light fixtures. Walls were inlaid with detailed woodwork. New roomier seats were installed.