Core Values

  • How The Martin shows up as an organization matters just as much as what happens on stage.

The Martin Theatre is more than a historic building.

It is a performing arts venue, an event space, a community anchor, and a living part of the story of Douglas, Coffee County, and South Georgia.

Our core values guide how we show up for guests, renters, artists, sponsors, donors, volunteers, partners, and the generations who will experience The Martin after us.

They help shape how we make decisions, care for this historic theatre, steward our resources, build relationships, and carry the mission forward.

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Make It Matter
We are intentional about how people feel when they interact with The Martin.

Advance the Mission
We make disciplined decisions that protect The Martin’s future.

Respect the Story
We honor the architecture, memories, and people who made The Martin possible.

Take Ownership
We believe excellent experiences are built through communication, preparation, and follow-through.

Invest in Community
We create connection, access, and meaningful experiences for Douglas, Coffee County, and the surrounding region.

Nurture the Legacy
We care for The Martin in a way that ensures it continues serving future generations.

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These values were not invented for a season.
They were drawn from the story already here.

From the people who saved The Martin.
From the community that continues to believe in it.
From the mission we are responsible for carrying forward.

This is how we carry The Martin forward.

MAKE IT MATTER

Every touchpoint matters, from the first message to the final goodbye. Whether someone is attending a concert, renting the theatre, performing on stage, volunteering, sponsoring, donating, or visiting for the first time, their experience shapes how they remember this place.

Making it matter means paying attention to hospitality, communication, atmosphere, signage, cleanliness, timing, tone, and follow-through. We want events at The Martin to feel smooth, thoughtful, professional, and welcoming.

We do not settle for “good enough,” and we do not want anyone to feel confused, ignored, or unimportant. Every interaction helps shape the reputation of The Martin Theatre.

ADVANCE THE MISSION

The Martin exists to preserve and activate a historic theatre, create meaningful experiences, strengthen community connection, and enrich downtown Douglas for generations to come. Advancing the mission means making decisions with both today and tomorrow in mind.

We build systems, not just events. We steward money wisely. We maintain the building with long-term responsibility. We grow sustainable revenue through sponsors, donors, rentals, grants, ticketing, concessions, and memberships. We invest in relationships that strengthen the mission.

We do not chase every opportunity, spend without strategy, or sacrifice the future for short-term wins. The Martin’s next chapter requires momentum, but it also requires structure.

RESPECT THE STORY

The Martin is not just another venue. It is a historic theatre with deep roots in Douglas and Coffee County. It carries decades of memories, restoration work, community investment, and local pride. Respecting the story means honoring the people who preserved this place before us and remembering that The Martin belongs to the community—not just the organization.

We protect the historic character of the building. We make decisions with gratitude. We carry the legacy forward without getting stuck in the past.

We do not dismiss the emotional connection people have to this place, and we do not make careless changes that weaken the integrity of The Martin.

TAKE OWNERSHIP

Taking ownership means we do not wing it. We document processes, confirm expectations, follow up quickly, keep accurate records, prepare before problems happen, and leave spaces better than we found them.

The Martin serves many different people: patrons, renters, artists, sponsors, donors, volunteers, schools, churches, nonprofits, civic groups, businesses, and community partners. That kind of work requires clarity, consistency, and care.

We do not assume someone else handled it. We do not ignore small issues until they become big ones. We do not let disorganization create stress for guests, renters, volunteers, staff, or partners.

Strong systems are part of good hospitality.

INVEST IN COMMUNITY

The Martin is at its best when people gather here. We think beyond ticket sales because our mission is bigger than attendance alone. We want this historic theatre to be a place where people celebrate, learn, belong, and experience something meaningful together.

Investing in community means welcoming schools, churches, nonprofits, families, artists, local organizations, businesses, and presenting partners. It means creating opportunities for live entertainment, arts experiences, rentals, performances, community events, and shared moments in the heart of downtown Douglas.

We measure success by both financial health and mission impact. We do not operate like an exclusive club, forget the people this theatre was restored to serve, or choose programming and policies that disconnect us from the community.

NURTURE THE LEGACY

Nurturing the legacy means thinking long-term in our decisions, planning, partnerships, and daily operations. We protect the theatre’s reputation, relationships, resources, and historic character while continuing to grow and improve.

We develop leaders, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and partnerships that strengthen the future of The Martin. We preserve what matters while building what comes next. We want to leave the organization stronger than we found it.

We do not operate only for the short term, burn people out in the name of progress, treat sustainability as someone else’s responsibility, or make decisions that compromise the future for immediate gain.

The goal is not simply to keep The Martin open. The goal is to help it thrive for the next generation.

The Martin Theatre is a historic performing arts venue and community gathering place in downtown Douglas, Georgia. Restored to its original Art Deco splendor, the theatre now serves Coffee County and the surrounding South Georgia region through live events, rentals, meetings, conferences, arts experiences, and meaningful community gatherings.