COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A beloved Marietta theatre located in the heart of the city's historic district is now at risk of shutting its doors for its ninth season, according to its owners.
Officials at Marietta’s Theatre in the Square said that declining ticket sales, fewer rentals and increasing production fees is making it hard to keep the center afloat.
The theatre originally opened in the 1980s and 1990s as the Theatre in the Square before falling to a funding crisis and closing its doors in 2012. That's when Raul Thomas, the current owner of the theatre, founded the new venue in 2015 -- restoring the old one.
Thomas said the theatrical center means everything to all who work there and the recent crisis is breaking their hearts.
"The theatre means everything to us. It started as a labor of love, something we weren’t 100% sure would be an amazing venue for us. As years have gone by, and as time has gone by, we’ve been able to seat so many people, do so much work, that it’s personal. It’s very endearing to us," said the owner.
He added that COVID was the theatre's "beast," but they were able to come back even stronger from the forced hiatus during the pandemic.
Thomas said that after the hype and need for theatre died down, audiences began to dwindle. The 220-seat theatre is now trying to keep its lights on one show at a time.
"Not only COVID but the economy both coming at the same thing has not only hurt this theatre, but theatres across the world. Even Broadway is hurting," Thomas said.
Marietta's Theatre in the Square has been bringing the Cobb County neighborhood award-winning entertainment for almost a decade.
Nic Starr, a producer with the theatrical house, said, "To have a place like this that you can afford to do your work in is priceless." Starr is preparing for Friday night's opening show of the play "Two Trains Running."
Starr mentioned the current status of the entertainment industry and the ongoing actors' and writers' strike.
"A lot of people love the film industry, and I love it too, they’re going through strikes and going through their own things but this is where most of them start. Most people get their first opportunity in community theatre," the producer said.
He believes it's important to save community theatres like the beloved Marietta's Theatre.
"Without community theatre, without houses like this, we wouldn’t be able to survive," Starr said. "With all the theatre companies we have lost, a lot have closed down."
The owner is hopeful that the Cobb County community will come together to save local theatre amid the strikes.
"Thankfully through our good stewards and through working hard," Thomas said. "Putting up the warning to our community, to our village, saying 'hey we’re not as good as we were then but we’re still willing to do the work if you’re willing to pour into us.'"
The online fundraiser said that the theatre is currently in their eighth season and they are seeing a strong decline in ticket sales. They are faced with trying to survive the current status of the industry. The theatre must raise $250,000 to stay afloat for its ninth season which will be in 2024.
To contribute to the fundraiser or learn more about the theatrical house's "state of emergency," click here.
