2023 24 Black Pages FINAL 2 - Flipbook - Page 107
Douglass was a man who wanted to empower his community and stand
up for what he believed in. There was one instance in which the Macon
police chief arrested 30 men to explain why they were not active workers,
and Douglass came to their defense. "Black business leader Charles H.
Douglass pleaded for the release of the men, vouching for their characters
and that they worked for some of the establishments along Broadway
Street". This statement demonstrates Douglass' loyalty to his employees.
Douglass then went on to organize and administer the "Florida Blossom
Minstrels and Comedy Company" in 1907. However, in 1911 Douglass sold
the company and management to one of his partners Peter Worthey. This
was the start of Douglass' life in the theater industry.
Douglass opened his soon to be historical theatre in 1911. With Douglass'
prior knowledge of performers and the entertainment business, the
theatre grew into a great success rapidly. Douglass was a member of
T.O.B.A. (Theatre Owners Bookers Association) and his membership aided
in the success of the booking many of African American artists and performers. The T.O.B.A. consisted of a
series of 40 theatres that helped one another booking and scheduling the performers.
The theatre was a premier location for entertainment for African American citizens in Macon. It was a prime
for its vaudeville hall along with its movie theatre. It was a common setting for early blues and jazz music. It
showed several feature-length films and subsequently became a much-respected venue in the country for its
time. It was also sometimes home to specific sporting events. In the 1920s it was the theatre was a significant
venue for novel African American films. These films were written for black people and by black people. Most
of the films supported the "by us, for us" ideal. Some musical artists that filled the stage were Duke
Ellington and Cab Calloway. "When not hosting live acts, The Douglass also exhibited a wide variety of sound
and silent motion pictures. Selected records feature race films (movies made specifically for African American
audiences) of producers such as the Norman Film Manufacturing Company and Oscar Micheaux".
The theatre was also a common place for various groups to congregate in such a time of racial turbulence.
Various black interest groups met there providing them with a respectively safe place. Later in 1999, the
location served as a location for Ellis's town meetings and the panel discussions were aired live on local
television stations.
The theater was managed by Douglass himself until 1940 when he died. However, the theatre was leased
to Benjamin Stein, a white business man for the short period between 1927 and 1929. After Douglass died,
his wife and sons ran the theatre until it was closed in 1973.
After being latent for several years, the Theatre was saved and renovated by a non-profit group known as
"Friends of the Douglass Theatre" in the 1990s. The renovation consisted of the installation of a new heating
and cooling system, sound and cinema equipment with surround sound, formats, and state-of-the-art
lighting. Additionally new seating was installed and the main annex was rejuvenated.
Currently, the theatre is home to the "Macon Film Guild at the Douglass Theatre". It is also home to Met Live
in HD, a series of transmissions of live opera from the Metropolitan opera in New York City.
It is open to the public and continues to be a main attraction.
Many famous artists and performers have had the honor of performing at the historical Douglass Theatre. In
the early 1960s, the theatre was a great place for musicians and performers to showcase themselves. Some
of the music talent that have performed there are Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Otis Redding, James Brown, Little
Richard, and Pigmeat Markham. It also housed some renowned vaudeville shows. The Douglass was a home
to diverse events, films, and entertainment performances for over 52 years. Douglass currently continues to
be a home to all races and events. He is buried at Linwood Cemetery in Macon.
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