Andy Gaines

Marietta

Andy Gaines (Marietta) is the Executive Director of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta. Since joining The Strand in 2014 and assuming leadership in 2018, he has transformed the historic theatre in Marietta Square into an important cultural center known locally and state-wide. The Strand today fosters local partnerships and welcomes thousands of visitors annually. In 2024, the theatre generated an estimated $5.4 million in economic impact, with support for over 80 jobs. The Strand also contributed more than $230,000 in government revenue. Gaines’ leadership blends a vision for the theatre’s growth with an understanding of the importance of community connections. He is known throughout Marietta Square, where he routinely checks in with neighbors, artists, and small businesses. His influence also extends statewide, in his work with mentoring young leaders, serving on numerous boards, and championing causes in tourism.  He is a member of Georgia Presenters, a statewide network of arts organizations, and he has brought Fox Theatre’s interactive “Fox in a Box” theatrical history program to students in Cobb County. Gaines exemplifies through his leadership the lasting impact of the arts on civic life in Marietta and the surrounding area.