The Grand Opera House, the iconic and storied Macon theater and live performance hall in the heart of the city’s downtown, has a new name — The Piedmont Grand Opera House.
Officials from Piedmont, which operates two hospitals in Macon — Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital — joined officials from the theater and Mercer University, which manages The Grand, to unveil the new name on Oct. 10.
Immediately after the announcement, the marquee was emblazoned with “The Piedmont Grand Opera House,” which is also showcased above the doors leading into the theater from the lobby.
“We’re pleased to have Piedmont Healthcare as the naming sponsor of The Grand Opera House,” said Mercer President William D. Underwood. “It brings together two iconic organizations that make significant contributions to the quality of life for residents of Central Georgia. I can’t imagine a better combination, and we look forward to even greater days for The Piedmont Grand Opera House.”
Adding Piedmont to the theater’s name is part of a multi-year deal between the institutions. The Grand Opera House is Macon’s oldest theater, having opened its doors in 1905 as what was then one of the largest and most technologically advanced stages in the Southeast. The same year, Dr. Ludwig Amster and Dr. Floyd Willcox McRae founded Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta and were considered “ahead of their time” in patient care. Throughout over a century of service to the community, these institutions have been trusted names for Georgians.
“The Grand Opera House, Piedmont Macon and Mercer University are among the most recognizable brands in Macon,” said Stephen J. Daugherty, CEO of Piedmont Macon. “The arts are an often overlooked component of overall wellness and the mental health of our community. The arts spark imagination and foster a sense of inclusiveness and connectivity, which perfectly align with our core values at Piedmont.”
“Piedmont is a perfect partner for The Grand’s history as a cherished community treasure,” said Executive Director Frank Wood, who manages The Grand. “We serve people across all ages and stages of their lifespan, from introducing children to their first professional performance to bringing in senior bus tours to explore Macon’s music history and our exquisite architecture. With the strength of these partnerships, the energy around The Grand this season will make our shows a must-see experience.”
The Grand, which has also recently named its large reception room the Cox Room in a partnership with Cox Communications, is best known as the home of Broadway in Central Georgia and the resident hall of the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra. The venue is proud to announce this season’s Genesis of Macon Broadway Series, featuring three dynamite performances for music, theater or movie lovers.
The season begins with Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations on Feb. 4-5, 2025. This musical follows the improbable journey of the Temptations from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Next up is Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘N’ Roll on March 19-20, 2025. With a cast consisting of both stars from Broadway’s greatest rock musicals and rock singers, Neil Berg shares the often unknown stories from the music that changed the world forever. Finally, Pretty Woman The Musical will end the season on April 22-23, 2025. Tickets are available now for a subscription to the series.
The Grand also looks forward to welcoming patrons for the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 21 and Nov. 18, 2024, as well as Feb. 24 and March 31, 2025. The October season premiere will spotlight “Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copeland amid the presidential election season and set to speeches by the 16th president read aloud by Macon Mayor Lester Miller and former mayors Robert Reichert and C. Jack Ellis. A variety of other concerts, comedy and community performances will take place throughout the year.
About Piedmont Macon and Piedmont Macon North
Piedmont Macon, a 310-bed facility, and Piedmont Macon North, a 103-bed facility, are state-of-the-art hospitals offering 24-hour emergency rooms, inpatient and outpatient surgery options, rehabilitation programs and diagnostic services. In addition, the facilities offer specialty services such as an advanced cardiac center offering all services from non-invasive cardiology to open heart surgery, primary stroke centers, award winning orthopedic and spine care, cancer center, bariatric center and maternity services including a level III neonatal nursery.
Additionally, Piedmont Behavioral Health, located at Piedmont Macon Medical Center, provides treatment to adults with psychiatric and addiction issues through inpatient and outpatient programs. Piedmont Macon and Piedmont Macon North are part of Georgia-based Piedmont Healthcare, Georgia’s largest nonprofit hospital system covering 85% of Georgians and serving about 2 million patients across the state. Learn more about Piedmont Macon.
About The Piedmont Grand Opera House
The Piedmont Grand Opera House is a vibrant community-assembly resource for all residents of Macon-Bibb County, as well as a draw for cultural tourism that significantly impacts the success of Macon’s downtown and corresponding economic vitality. It is The Grand’s mission to nurture an appreciation of the arts in all residents of Central Georgia, especially its youngest, through attracting the presentation of quality productions as well as an immersion into a treasured architectural artifact that reflects more than 100 years of Macon’s history. And finally, as a performing arts center of Mercer University, The Piedmont Grand Opera House seeks to champion excellence as the premier theatrical venue in Central Georgia. Buy tickets online at thegrandmacon.com or over the phone at (478) 301-5470.
