Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1530620
30 maconmagazine.com | December 2024/January 2025 A G R A N D I N V E S T M E N T I N M A C O N ' S F U T U R E F rom announcing presentations like Nutcracker of Middle Georgia, to an interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, to Broadway national tour hits, to community pageantry like award shows or dance recitals, The Grand Opera House's marquee changes almost daily. This October, however, there was a more permanent change when The Grand got a new name on a grand old lady: The Piedmont Grand Opera House. In a multi- year agreement, Piedmont, a Georgia- based healthcare company which operates Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North in this city alongside urgent cares and doctor's o ces across Central Georgia, became the naming sponsor of the historic Macon theater. Frank Wood, who acts as executive director of The Grand, said he was thrilled at the partnership and what it meant for the iconic landmark and its future sustainability presenting quality programming for audiences, young and old. "Piedmont is a perfect partner for The Grand's history as a cherished community treasure," he said. "We serve people across all ages and stages of their lifespan, from introducing children to their rst professional performance entering in the venue on a school bus to bringing in senior bus tours to explore Macon's music history and our exquisite architecture. With the strength of such partnerships, the energy around The Grand this season will make our shows a must-see experience." Coincidentally, Piedmont and The Grand share similar histories, not only in their involvement and service to the community in Georgia but also in how long they've been at it. The Grand Opera House, Macon's oldest theater that's still around today, opened in 1905 as one of the largest and most technologically advanced stages in the Southeast. In that same year, Dr. Ludwig Amster and Dr. Floyd Willcox McRae founded what would become Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, and were considered ahead of their time in patient care. The team behind the partnership thought this fact helped represent why their brands were aligned – they've both been trusted names in Georgia for generations. As part of its 120-year history, in recent years The Grand has been managed by Mercer University, though the building is still owned by Macon-Bibb County. "We're pleased to have Piedmont Healthcare as the naming sponsor of The Grand Opera House," said Mercer President William D. Underwood, who spoke at the announcement. "It brings together two iconic organizations that make signi cant contributions to the quality of life for residents of Central Georgia." Stephen J. Daugherty, CEO of Piedmont Macon, echoed Underwood's sentiments, adding the importance of what The Grand o ers to the area's well-being. "The Grand Opera House, Piedmont Macon and Mercer University are among the most recognizable brands in Macon," he said. "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." Wood said though the name has changed, day-in and day-out operations of The Grand remain the same as it continues to provide and expand its excellent quality and variety of entertainment and customer service. For information and tickets go to thegrandmacon.com or call (478) 301-5470. Look up at the ceiling the next time you attend the show – the new Piedmont Grand Opera House logo all aglow is a nice touch. L O C A L B U Z Z BY MICHAEL W. PANNELL | PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER IAN SMITH FOR MERCER UNIVERSITY a more permanent change when The Piedmont, a Georgia- Center and Piedmont Macon North in in their involvement and service to the community in Georgia but also in how Frank Wood, Stephen J. Daugherty, and William D. Underwood at the reveal BELOW A photo of the newly built Grand Opera House in 1905.