The Martin Theatre

08/25/2026

For more than six decades, she gave the world music, laughter, stories, generosity, and a beautiful reminder that you can dream big without ever forgetting where you came from.

She showed us that a song can outlive a moment, a story can make someone feel less alone, and one artist can impact generations of people they may never meet.

For those of us who believe in the power of the arts, Dolly’s legacy is a powerful one.

She honored her roots, opened doors for others, gave back, and she made the world a little brighter along the way.

Thank you, Dolly, for reminding small-town dreamers everywhere that where you start does not determine how far your impact can reach.

What a gift you have been to all of us.

08/20/2026

Last week, our Executive Director had the opportunity to spend the day alongside the Leadership Coffee Class of 2027 for a full day centered around leadership, service, connection, and a deeper look at the community we all call home.

One of the highlights of the day was stepping into service at our local food bank, where members worked together to pack food boxes and weekend snack bags for families throughout Coffee County.

Experiences like this are an important reminder that community leadership isn’t simply about the positions we hold or the organizations we represent. It’s about understanding the needs around us, building relationships across industries, and being willing to roll up our sleeves and serve alongside one another.

Thank you to the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce for creating opportunities like this, to Chick-fil-A Douglas for sponsoring the day, and to the Coffee County Food Bank for welcoming the class into the important work they do every day.

Here’s to a year of showing up, serving well, asking good questions, and getting to know Coffee County from a whole new perspective.

08/14/2026

There is something powerful about seeing someone who comes from the same streets, schools, stages, churches, classrooms, and community we know go on to create work that reaches far beyond our hometown.

Stories like Jennifer’s remind young artists that where you start does not determine how far your work can travel. They remind us that extraordinary talent can be nurtured in small towns. And they remind us why communities must continue creating spaces where artists can perform, experiment, grow, and discover what they are capable of.

Giulia represents years of work. The kind of work that requires patience, persistence, and the courage to create something deeply personal and then invite others into it. It also represents the beauty of collaboration: every artist who helped shape it, every performer and musician who brought it to life, and every audience member who stepped into that shared experience.

Jennifer, your hometown is clapping loudly for you.

Congratulations to you and every beautiful human who helped bring Giulia into the world!

08/11/2026

The Martin is proud to share that our Executive Director, Devis Burnam, has been selected as a member of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Coffee Class of 2027.

Leadership Coffee brings together professionals from across Coffee County to learn more about the businesses, industries, institutions, and organizations that shape our community while building relationships across sectors.

For The Martin, opportunities like this matter.

The future of a historic theatre is deeply connected to the future of the community around it. Arts and culture, education, healthcare, industry, local government, small business, and downtown development do not exist in separate lanes. Strong communities are built when leaders understand how those pieces work together and find opportunities to collaborate.

As The Martin continues its work to preserve this historic landmark, strengthen Downtown Douglas, expand cultural access, and create meaningful experiences for the region, we are grateful for opportunities that allow our Executive Director to learn from other community leaders while also representing the important role The Martin can play in Coffee County’s future.

Congratulations to the entire Leadership Coffee Class of 2027. We look forward to a year of learning, connection, collaboration, and discovering even more of what makes Coffee County worth investing in!

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Leadership Coffee Class of 2027, featuring 21 professionals representing businesses, education, healthcare, industry, local government, and organizations throughout the community.

Leadership Coffee is a community leadership development program designed to connect emerging and established leaders with the people, places, industries, and institutions that make Coffee County thrive. Through firsthand experiences and meaningful conversations, participants gain a broader understanding of the community while building relationships with fellow leaders from a variety of professional backgrounds.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Leadership Coffee Class of 2027 and introduce them to the many people, organizations, and industries that make Coffee County such a special place,” said Jada Wildes, Director of Programs for the Coffee Chamber. “Throughout the program, participants will have opportunities to step outside of their everyday roles, experience different parts of our community firsthand, and build relationships with leaders from across Coffee County. Our hope is that they finish Leadership Coffee with a stronger connection to our community and an even greater desire to be involved in its future.”

Leadership Coffee Class of 2027

Whitney Batson, Vista Park
Lori Beasley, Citizens Christian Academy
Devis Burnam, The Martin Theatre
Sarah Bryan, Douglas National Bank
Jonathan Christian, Optima Chemical
Clif Ellis, ESCO Industries
Gabe Elrod, First National Bank of Coffee County
Michelle Evans, Wiregrass Regional College & Career Academy
Kendra Flores, Coffee Regional Medical Center
Marshall Gainer, Fender Automotive Group
Chris Harrison, Lakeside Senior Living
Stacey P. Hill, South Georgia State College
Mariah Hutcheson, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Craig Jump, RW Griffin
Ryan Lewis, Southwire
Amanda McCarty, Premium Peanut
Kensley Moore, Farrar, Hennesy and Tanner
Destiny Paulk, City of Douglas
David Swanson, Citizens Christian Academy
Kiara Trejo, Premium Peanut
DeLeice Wood, Coffee Regional Medical Center

Throughout the program, class members will have opportunities to learn more about the organizations, industries, and individuals that contribute to Coffee County’s economy and quality of life. Site visits, discussions with community leaders, and hands-on experiences will give participants a behind-the-scenes look at the community while encouraging collaboration across industries and organizations.

Leadership Coffee also provides participants with an opportunity to expand their professional networks and develop relationships that can continue well beyond the program. By bringing together individuals with different experiences and perspectives, the program helps strengthen connections among the people who live, work, and lead in Coffee County.

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber congratulates the Leadership Coffee Class of 2027 and looks forward to a year of learning, connecting, and developing leaders who will continue to contribute to the future of Coffee County.

08/10/2026

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Do you have ANY pre-90s photos from The Martin? We’d love to add them to our archive.

Please email to: [email protected]

08/06/2026

Georgia-grown talent deserves to be celebrated, but first, we want to shine the spotlight right here at home.

The Martin is building a list of artists with connections to Coffee County, and we need your help.

Musicians. Singers. Actors. Dancers. Visual artists. Photographers. Filmmakers. Writers. Poets. Designers. Makers. Teaching artists. If they create, perform, or help bring art to life, we want to know about them.

Tag a Coffee County artist in the comments or share their name, creative discipline, and a link to their work. They may live here now, have grown up here, or simply call Coffee County home.

Help us discover and celebrate the hometown talent in our own community, and please share this post so we can make the list as complete as possible!

08/05/2026

Today, our Executive Director is in Perry, Georgia, joining arts leaders from across the state for this month’s Georgia Arts Innovation Network (GAIN) meeting!

These gatherings bring together professionals from theatres, arts organizations, and cultural institutions to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore innovative ways the arts can better serve communities across Georgia.

For The Martin, investing in opportunities like GAIN is about more than professional development. Every conversation, connection, and idea has the potential to strengthen our organization, expand opportunities for Downtown Douglas, and bring new experiences to our community.

As we continue building The Martin’s future, we’re committed to learning from others, sharing our own story, and ensuring our community benefits from the best ideas happening across Georgia’s arts landscape.

08/03/2026

When demolition seemed possible, community leaders, volunteers, elected officials, donors, and countless supporters chose a different future.

They gave their time, raised funds, solved problems, and believed this theatre was worth saving.

Every performance, every standing ovation, every memory made here today exists because of the names etched on these plaques…and many others whose names never were.

As we begin the next chapter of preserving The Martin, we’re reminded that every generation has an opportunity to leave its mark.

Now it’s our turn.

07/29/2026

Historic theatres have a way of reminding us what’s possible.

On the drive home from Athens, our Executive Director made one more stop at Theatre Dublin, another historic theatre and fellow Georgia Presenters member working to preserve a community landmark while keeping it active, relevant, and full of life.

Every theatre has its own story, but we all share something in common: communities that chose preservation over demolition, investment over neglect, and legacy over convenience.

As The Martin prepares for its own restoration, visits like these are about more than inspiration. They’re an opportunity to learn from theatres across Georgia that have navigated many of the same challenges and opportunities we face today.

Restoration isn’t just about preserving a building. It’s about ensuring that, for generations to come, The Martin continues welcoming people to the heart of Downtown Douglas.

07/27/2026

Historic theatres have a way of teaching you something if you’re paying attention.

This week, we’re in Athens with a stop at the Georgia Theatre. As we prepare for our own restoration project, we’re reminded of one of our core values:

RESPECT THE STORY

That means preserving the character, craftsmanship, and memories that make The Martin special while thoughtfully preparing it to serve future generations. Our goal has never been to make The Martin something it isn’t. It’s to help it become the very best version of what it has always been.

Every visit, every conversation, and every lesson learned helps us bring new ideas home as we prepare for the next chapter of The Martin.