For the next half century, the theater was the scene of hundreds of cultural events, including dance recitals, barber shop quartets, gospel sings, plays, kindergarten programs, and high school graduations. The Old Opera House has opened her doors to others in the community when needed, including providing local churches with a place to worship, and even acting as a movie theater in the early 1950's when the Thompson Theater burned. In 1973, a group of local citizens succeeded in getting the structure placed on the National Historic Register.

In 2000, the Old Opera House underwent a 1.7 million dollar renovation and today serves as a highly advanced auditorium and meeting facility complete with:

• new electrical, plumbing, and heating/air systems
• new theatrical lighting, sound, and rigging systems
• an elevator
• computer controlled lighting and sound
• closed circuit TV in dressing rooms
• new dressing rooms at stage level and below stage
• presentation system with video production through DVD, VCR, or PowerPoint
• meeting rooms complete with warming kitchen

Call the Hawkinsville Pulaski County Arts Council today at 478-783-1884 to arrange a tour for yourself, your church group, civic organization, or business and one of our volunteers will be glad to guide you on a walking tour through what is truly one of the great gems in the Middle Georgia area, the historic Old Opera House in Hawkinsville, Georgia. You may also email us at artscouncil@cstel.net.