Douglass Theatre

Opened in 1911 as a vaudeville theatre, the Douglass Theatre became one of the most important entertainment venues for African American audiences in the segregated South. In 1958, a young Otis Redding performed on a televised talent show broadcast from the Douglass. His performance caught the attention of local promoter Phil Walden, who would become his manager and help launch his career. The rest is soul music history.

The Douglass hosted legends including Ma Rainey, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and Little Richard over its long history. It was a cornerstone of Macon's vibrant Black music scene and played a crucial role in launching careers that shaped American popular music.

The Douglass Theatre has been beautifully restored and now serves as a performing arts venue and historic site on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in downtown Macon. It hosts concerts, films and community events, and its lobby features exhibits on the artists who performed there. A must-visit for anyone tracing the roots of Southern soul.