Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts is undergoing significant changes ahead of its 2026–2027 season. Located in Atlanta's Fairlie-Poplar district, the venue is planning a $150,000 renovation to its mezzanine and lobby — its first major upgrade since reopening in 1996.
The renovations include new carpet, fresh paint, and reconfigured staging. The blonde wood throughout the venue will be stained darker, with the color palette shifting toward neutral tones. The venue also spent $40,000 on new stage curtains and $100,000 on new sound equipment, including a wireless microphone system.
Beyond physical improvements, the Rialto is switching from a subscriber model to memberships, which provide ticket discounts without requiring patrons to purchase all tickets upfront. The venue is also reestablishing a film screening series beginning in October, made possible by 2023 upgrades totaling approximately $350,000 that installed a new projector and 35-foot motorized screen.
"We want to honor where the Rialto has been over the past 110 years and past 30 seasons, but we still want to move forward in our changing world," said Executive Director Amy Reid.
Originally opened in 1916 as the Piedmont Theatre — said to be the Southeast's largest theater at the time — the venue closed in 1989 before Georgia State University raised $14 million to rebuild it. The pandemic resulted in a yearlong shutdown and nearly two years of reduced operations, leaving attendance below pre-pandemic levels.
The 2026–2027 season features Arrested Development, the American Ballet Studio Company, jazz musician Joshua Redman, and gospel sextet Take 6. Renovations are scheduled for July and August.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution