ABOUT THE STRAND
The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre is a landmark steeped in history.
Located on historic Marietta Square, the iconic building opened its doors on Sept. 24, 1935. Built in the elegant Art Deco style of the time, the opulent red and gold auditorium transports visitors back to the Golden Age of cinema.
The first movie to be shown at the Strand was “Top Hat” starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The theatre was sold in 1947 to the Martin Theatre Chain. Then, in 1964, the building underwent its first full renovation. The theater was sold to Herbert Goldstein in 1976, but closed its doors to moviegoers soon after. From the early 1980s until 2002, the building served many different purposes, most notably as a live music venue in the late 1990s.
The Strand closed its doors again in 2002 and the building fell into disrepair. It sat vacant and unused, but not unappreciated. Community leaders were determined to restore the building to its former glory and after years of fundraising, the space – now called the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre – hosted its grand opening in 2009. It has once again become the gem of the Marietta square and the go-to venue for concerts, theatre, and, of course, movies.
OUR MISSION
It is The Strand’s mission to enrich and engage our regional community through diverse entertainment and memorable experiences for all.
The Strand is committed to:
Partner and serve by providing a community space that is accessible to a diverse audience and promotes economic development;
Entertain and educate by providing a variety of performing arts, films, arts education programs, and special events;
Preserve and promote by protecting the future of the historic landmark theatre with funds from ticket sales, space rental, and support from donors.
The Strand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
STRAND STAFF
Andy Gaines
Executive Director
Manda Costoulas
Operations Director
Chris DeLeo
Facilities and Events Director
Taylor Rambo
Development Director
Camilla Sanders
Production Director
Jackie Garvin
Box Office Manager
David Whittington
Bar and Concession Manager
Madison Willits
House Manager
Debbie Hall
Accountant
Frankie Clark
Event Coordinator
Savannah Patton
Education Associate
Charlotte Bode
Box Office Associate
FRIENDS OF THE STRAND BOARD
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Holly Tuchman, Chair
Terri Guthrie, Vice Chair
Ron King, Treasurer, Finance Chair
Tracy Styf, Secretary
Cassandra Buckalew, Facilities Chair
Kim Gresh, Past Chair, Nominating Chair, Development Chair
Mazi Mazloom, Governance Chair
Dana Johnson, Governance Chair
Stan Wise, Development Chair
The Honorable Latonia Hines, Liaison to Advisory Board
Linda Beggs
Wendy Bunch
Lindsey Burruss
Lisa Crossman
Jay Cunningham
Karen Hallacy
Arnold Huffman
Stephen Imler
Don Keller
Karen Lockhart
The Honorable Sam Olens
David Persson
ADVISORY BOARD
John Alday
The Honorable Roy Barnes
Michael Bohling
Deanne Bonner
Bill Bruton, Jr.
Katy Ruth Camp
Luci Hogue
Michele Howard
Sam Kelly
Sheree Knowles
John Loud
Jackie McMorris
JK Murphy
The Honorable Bert Reeves
The Honorable D. Victor Reynolds
The Honorable Devan Seabaugh
Alice Summerour
TRUSTEES EMERITUS
Debbie Abernathy
Ron Carter
The Honorable William Dunaway
Carol Ann King Massih
Ralph Knight
Becky Paden
Earl Smith*
CONTACT US
EARL AND RACHEL SMITH STRAND THEATRE
Physical Address
117 North Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060
Mailing Address
PO Box 4186
Marietta, GA 30061
Phone
770.293.0080
Fax
770.293.0081
Box Office
boxoffice@strandmarietta.org
Private Event Rentals
myevent@strandmarietta.org
General Information
friends@strandmarietta.org
Development
giving@strandmarietta.org
Education
education@strandmarietta.org
Auditions
auditions@strandmarietta.org
It is The Strand’s mission to enrich and engage our regional community through diverse entertainment and memorable experiences for all.
The historic Strand Theatre lights up the downtown Marietta square with live theatre, films, concerts, comedy, private events, and more. The Strand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
© 2025 Friends of the Strand, Inc. All rights reserved
EIN 20-0210688
