The authority board agreed to ask the city government for $36,000 to hire an employee to manage the Canton Theatre at its meeting on Thursday.
The authority, which oversees the theater, cut the previous positions at the downtown venue because of budget shortfalls two years ago.
The board, which is made up of downtown business people and residents who volunteer their time, is spending too much time on the theater, members said, and not enough on its primary mission of promoting downtown.
"It would free this body up to concentrate on getting more business in to downtown," said board Chairwoman Wanda Roach of Canton. "All our energy goes into the theater."
"This person could be selling tickets and helping us with fundraising," she said of the new employee. "They would be another face for the theater in Canton."
The staff member, who would be an employee of the authority, would be in charge of scheduling events and determining what programming would be best for the theater. The employee would also help with marketing, fundraising and securing sponsorships.
The $36,000 being requested by the board would cover the employee's salary and any additional labor needed to operate the theater.
Board member Rebecca Johnston of Canton said it would be a similar role to that of Gay Grooms, the executive and artistic director of the Towne Lake Arts Center.
"That is the missing link here," she said. "If someone is there full time, it is easier to get in touch. When I am there, people are always walking in. They want information about the theater."
The theater is the home of productions by the Cherokee Theatre Company, home school theater groups and the Academy of Dance Arts. The authority also rents out the theater for weddings, concerts and church and other private events.
The board on Thursday also approved pursuing the possibility of showing movies at the theater. The board has talked with a screening company in Atlanta, but is waiting on a cost proposal.
Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood, who attended the DDA meeting, said he thinks the theater manager position could be justified.
The issue now goes to the Canton City Council, which Hobgood said would need to identify funds for it in the pending 2011 budget.
"If they think it is important, I think it could probably be done," Hobgood said about finding the funding.
The board additionally reviewed its previously approved recommendations regarding new parking fines for repeat violators and the possible installation of speed humps downtown.
The recommendations will be considered by the city council at its Aug. 19 meeting.
There is a huge pool of talented professionals in this area that do live stage performances. Other than the many local comedians, musicians, poets, and actors....some of them travel the nation or the world as performers.
You'd be surprised how many have local roots in this area, and a few of us that actually live here in Cherokee county.
Movies are nice, but how does the city compete with the chain private Movie theaters that get the first release movies? Adding a stage, even for volunteer performers that are already stars in their own right, often pop into the smaller venues to practice new material on local audiences.
I do on occasion, as does Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy, numerous Indie Musicians and Comedians. I have a comedian friend I've worked with for the last 6 years that lives literally 5 houses from me. Many others are in Marietta, Buckhead, Kennesaw, or closer to Canton.
We don't always announce if we intend to pop into a local venue to perform. Mainly to keep the public from swamping the events.
I've been involved to help set up fund raising events, emcee shows, etc. I learned very fast I want no part of setting up the events or anymore board of directors. But, I do stick to what I love and enjoy. That is performing comedy and music on stage. Sometimes for Charity, but with the poor economy....I prefer the paid shows before I volunteer.
Since I haven't seen this venue yet, I don't know if it also has a stage in addition to the movie screen.
The last show I did was at the Sonic Drive In on Hwy 5 for "Bike Night". We normally attracted 300 people to these outdoor comedy and music shows. Canton was the second largest in North Georgia, only being beaten by Hiram, GA.
Many of my friends from the Punchline Comedy club, Funny Farm, Jeff Justice Comedy workshop, and others volunteered their time and talent to most of the shows. But as comedians, we prefer indoors where it's easier to keep the audience captivated. Music works well indoors or outdoors (weather permitting).....plus less risk of getting run over by an SUV coming out of the drive thru.
I rarely do the small clubs, mainly because I draw off the energy of the crowd. But when I write new material, I will try it on smaller groups before the bigger clubs or events ever see it.
I remember the last time I went to a movie....I could cram 2 friends in the trunk and BYOB at the Drive In movie. Of course the theater manager yells bad words if I drive into the lobby with the Camaro and 12 friends.
It's great to be back in Georgia where they claim to be tough on DUI's, but still have drive thru windows at the package store. (In case you're too wasted to walk inside)
Did you know it's legal to drive drunk on a golf course? (In a golf cart, not a dually pick up truck). They even send a cute girl half my age around to sell drinks to us while playin' golf. What a country!
Oh well, if they show movies for Real Men that don't wear pastels, like women, fast cars, and guns....I'll come and watch.
Sean Sweeney
sasweeney73@comcast.net