
Now in its 30th Anniversary season, Theatre in the Square is a professional, not-for-profit organization founded by Producing Director Palmer Wells and the late Michael Horne. As the largest arts organization in Cobb County, the theater reaches over 50,000 people a year via five Mainstage shows, two holiday shows, a summer show, and a children’s show. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of civic leaders from around the metro Atlanta area. With an annual budget of over $1.7 million, the theatre draws the majority of its funding from ticket sales (about 65%), with support from foundations, corporations, city and state government, and individual gifts. The theatre has a full-time staff of more than a dozen, and hires more than 120 artists (actors, directors, designers) annually. The theatre company has been based in historic Marietta Square since 1982. Theatre in the Square has broadbased community support from the metro Atlanta region as well as Cobb County. More than 3,200 subscribers have a year-round commitment to the theater, and each play sells a healthy number of single tickets as well. Mainstage shows offer a Wednesday matinee option, which is usually filled with groups from local senior organizations as well as individual ticket buyers. At least one play a year features extensive daytime matinees for student groups. The theatre regularly receives accolades for the caliber of its work. In the spring of 2007, co-founder Palmer Wells was named a PBS Lexus Leader of the Arts. For its 2008-2009 season, the theatre received four Suzi Awards for Best Production, Director, Actor and Actress. This fall, the Theatre received the KSU Flourish Award for Outstanding Arts Organization. Theatre in the Square is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the Atlanta Coalition of performing Arts, the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, United Arts of Cobb (a coalition of Cobb County’s professional arts organizations), and Cobb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
2010-2011 Suzi Awards
Featured Actress Play: Mary Lynn Owen, The Little Foxes
Sound Design Play: Thom Jenkins, Stealing Dixie
2009-2010 Suzi Awards
Lighting Design Play: Rob Dillard, The Woman in Black
Scenic Design Play: Kat Conley, Ethan Frome
Sound Design Play: Christopher Bartelski, The Woman in Black
2008-2009 Suzi Awards
Production Play: A Man For All Seasons
Director Play: Jessica Phelps West, Tradin' Paint
Lead Actor Play: John Ammerman, A Man For All Seasons
Lead Actress Play: Veronika Duerr, Tradin' Paint
2007-2008 Suzi Awards
Lead Actress Play: Lala Cochran, The Little Dog Laughed
2006-2007 Suzi Awards
Production Play: Turned Funny
Ensemble Musical: Mount Pleasant Homecoming
Director Play: Fred Chappell, Turned Funny
Music Direction: Michael Monroe, Mount Pleasant Homecoming
Lead Actress Play: Linda Stephens, Turned Funny
Featured Actress Play: Jill Jane Clements, Turned Funny
Featured Actor Musical: Alan Kilpatrick, Mount Pleasant Homecoming
Featured Actress Musical: Jennifer Akin, Mount Pleasant Homecoming
2004-2005 Suzi Awards
Director: Carol Mitchell Leon, Mahalia
Actress: Bernardine Mitchell, Mahalia
Actor: Chris Ekholm, The Diviners
Theatre in the Square
11 Whitlock Ave.
Marietta, GA 30064
Box office: (770) 422-8369