About the Cox Capitol Theatre

After 31 years, The Capitol Theatre re-opened to the general public on January 18, 2006. Thanks to the efforts of countless volunteers, we will now operate as a movie house and live entertainment venue. People can come Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights to watch movies. Thursdays feature live entertainment. Future plans call for the complete restoration of the stage with lighting and sound equipment in place to support both live music and live productions.

Our Mission

To preserve a historic Macon landmark and offer a self-supporting, multi-use venue to enhance the downtown arts and entertainment community.

Letter from the Board

Capitol Theatre Holdings, a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization, is seeking funds to renovate and improve the storied cinema house located on Second Street between Cherry and Mulberry Street. We are on our way with pledged contributions and other equity comprising almost two-thirds of our $1.2 million fundraising goal. We hope you will join us in our efforts to make this vision of the future a reality.

- David D. Thompson
Chairman - Board of Directors

Board of Directors

• David Thompson (Chair) - Restoration, Finance, Fundraising Committees
• Tony Long (Vice Chair) - Head of Restorations, Programming Committees
• Mark Driver (Treasurer) - Finance, Fundraising Committees
• Wesley Griffith (Secretary) - Programming, Marketing Committees
• Gene Dunwody, Jr. - Architect, Fundraising Committees
• Brad Evans - Programming, Marketing Committees
• Duke Groover – Legal Counsel, Fundraising Committees
• Larry L. Najera, Jr.- Marketing, Fundraising Committees
• Brad Powell - Programming, Seat Sales, Fundraising Committees
• Morris Purcel - Fundraising Committee
• Teresa Roach – Marketing, Fundraising Committees
• Terrell Sandefur – Marketing, Fundraising Committees

Snapshot

1917
Year Capitol Theatre opened for business.

The Past - 1917, The year Capitol Theatre opened

The Capitol Theatre building was originally constructed as a bank and opened in 1897.

Times were tough and the bank soon closed its doors. The building was converted to a shoe store and operated as such until 1917—the year the Capitol Theatre was born. The Capitol, which became Macon?s first public venue to offer air-conditioning to its patrons, quickly became a hub of activity for downtown Macon and remained so for many years.

Hard times fell upon the Capitol Theatre as the downtown business environment shifted to other parts of the city. The doors of the Theatre were finally closed in 1975 after a 58-year run. The building was used for various educational and business purposes in the last 29 years, but never again operated as a Theatre.

1975
Year Capitol Theatre finally had to close its doors.

2004
Year renovations began to restore Capitol Theatre.

Like many of the historic buildings in downtown Macon, the Capitol Theatre has suffered from years of neglect.

When we purchased the building, the roof had a large hole that flooded the interior each time it rained. The ground floor and stage were almost non-existent and the facility was damp and dank.

We moved quickly to replace the entire roof, remove all rotten wood, repair all damaged plaster and rebuild the stage and ground floor. We obtained new HVAC, electrical equipment and lighting from willing donors. The fire protection system was repaired and made fully operational.

2006
The Capitol Theatre reopens as Cox Capitol Theatre and hosts Macon's first film festival, The Macon Film Festival

These renovations represent a crucial first step towards the future. To continue the momentum we are reliant on everyone with a vested interest in Macon's heritage and our downtown community. Your pledges and contributions will allow us to finish the main floor and stabilize the entire building for occupancy. Most importantly, this will allow the Capitol to begin generating revenues on its way towards self-sufficiency.

The Capitol Theatre will continue the revitalization of downtown, offering a new type of venue that will attract more people to visit downtown Macon and enhance existing entertainment and dining establishments.

With an onsite kitchen, The Cox Capitol Theatre will accommodate dinner theater, children's theater, 2nd run movies, live musical performances, and private functions with ease.

Some of the exciting attributes of the Capitol will include:
• A flexible, multi-use facility unconstrained by fixed seating
• Premier restaurant and AV facilities for all public and private functions
• Non-smoking, climate controlled atmosphere with seating for over 250 people
• Digital projection and sound technologies for exciting movies and presentations

The Cox Capitol Theatre is also planning to host the performing arts programs of the Bibb County School System in hopes of providing a first rate venue for these young artists.

more history >