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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
Kim Gresh, Immediate Past Chair & Nominating Chair
Dana Johnson, Treasurer
David Persson, Secretary

Cassandra Buckalew, Facilities Chair
The Honorable Latonia Hines, Liaison to Advisory Board
Tracy Styf, Governance Strategic Planning Chair
Stan Wise, Development Chair

Debbie Abernathy
Wendy Bunch
Ron Carter
Lisa Crossman
Jay Cunningham
Karen Hallacy
Arnold Huffman
Stephen Imler
Don Keller
Ron King
Ralph Knight
Karen Lockhart
Carol Ann King Massih
Mazi Mazloom
The Honorable Sam Olens
Becky Paden

ADVISORY BOARD


John Alday
The Honorable Roy Barnes
Linda Beggs
Michael Bohling
Deanne Bonner
Bill Bruton, Jr.
Lindsey Burruss
Katy Ruth Camp
Luci Hogue
Michele Howard
Sam Kelly
Sheree Knowles
John Loud
JK Murphy
The Honorable Bert Reeves
The Honorable D. Victor Reynolds
The Honorable Devan Seabaugh
Alice Summerour

TRUSTEES EMERITUS


Earl Smith
The Honorable William Dunaway

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

Earl & Rachel Smith Strand Theatre

117 North Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

Box Office Hours

Tue – Fri, 12 pm – 4 pm
Two hours before showtime

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.

© 2024 Friends of the Strand, Inc. All rights reserved

EIN 20-0210688

The Strand offices will be closed December 24-28 and January 1-17 for winter break