DDA: Response to theater, concerts ‘really strong’

The success of the Dublin Community Theatre was cited during the recent Downtown Development Authority board meeting held Friday on the sixth floor of the Georgia Military College skyscraper.

The response from the productions by the Community Theatre, as well as downtown concerts, has been “really strong,” said DDA Executive Director Glenda Berry. 

“We are having concerts and shows, and I think the most important thing is this is promoting the arts in our community,” she added. “For people moving to Dublin, it’s appealing to know that Dublin has arts, and we have something that is cultural for people. It has really, really been positive. We have seen a lot where young people get involved, and when young people get involved, the parents get involved and they buy tickets. We hope to see that continue.”

Christopher Pittman, who directed and starred as Willy Wonka in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” saw “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” a few years ago. Pittman, who is an East Laurens High School graduate, was happy to see that the theater was going on in Dublin. Pittman helped with “A Charlie Browns Christmas.”

“He has been wonderful,” Berry said. “We want this to continue, and he can be such a big part in helping this program continue. He is so talented.”

The Community Theatre will present “Guys and Dolls” on July 17-20, followed by “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” hitting the stage on Nov. 14 and 15. “Annie” will be on stage for April 23-25, 2026, before the theater group presents the musical “Grease” on July 16-19.

Berry brought up that she would like the Dublin Community Theatre to have a 501c3 tax-exempt status, like Friends of the Carnegie. 

“It would make sense,” she said. “It would help us look in terms of looking for that tax benefit. That is a consideration for the future, if the board thinks that would be a good idea.”

Berry announced that the Georgia Presenters from the Fox Theatre reached out to the DDA to let them know that Dublin is going to be the site for the statewide booking consortium’s meeting in July.

“It will be people who manage historic theaters like Theatre Dublin, and they’ll be here from all across the state,” Berry said. “They’ll be using Morris Bank’s annex for part of the meeting. The great thing about the Fox Theatre bringing this here is that it’s the Fox Theatre. If they see the theater, hopefully we’ll be able to get some grant funding.”

Lauren Patterson, Main Street manager, talked about the next First Friday on May 2, which they are calling “Chalk It Up
Downtown.”

“We are asking all of the merchants to get involved,” she said. “We are encouraging everybody to come downtown and fill up the streets with art.”

They will have The Shades Trees performing from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Founders Park near Morris Bank. The next concert is the Jimmy Buffett tribute show on May 3 at Theatre Dublin. VIP tickets are $33 and general tickets are $28.

“They are really great and really fun,” Patterson said. “They are good about getting the crowd involved.”

Patterson mentioned the Crawfish Festival, which will be from noon to 9 p.m. on May 17. She said a bunch of food trucks will be there for those who do not like crawfish.

“We’ll have a huge variety,” Patterson said. “There is going to be something for everybody.”

They will also have music and entertainment from the West Laurens High School Jazz Band, Trombone Love, Gunshy, Chris Rich and more.

DDA operations manager Nichole Padgett  gave an update on the Farmers Market, which began in April.

“It’s been going great,” she said. “Our crowds have been great, and we’ve had beautiful weather.”

She announced that the Farm to Table event, which was rescheduled because of Hurricane Helene, will be held on May 8 at the Market on Madison. Padgett said they have approximately 30 vendors but would like more. Tickets are $35.

Friday’s meeting was the final one for Patterson. She has taken a new job in downtown Dublin.

“We’re going to miss her, but she’ll still be in downtown, so we’re excited about that,” Berry said.

Patterson said she will be willing to volunteer for events.

“I really enjoyed it,” Patterson said about her time with the DDA. “It has been a pleasure.”

Signs will be put up soon to inform violators in the DDA’s parking lot that they are being watched and will be towed if they are there longer than the permitted time allow.

“It is a matter of when, not if, the signs go up,” said DDA Chairman Rob Miller.