About/Visit
Grand Theatre History
The classical Grand Theatre, designed by architect Albert W. Cornelius, opened on August 11, 1923 as a premiere vaudeville half-house in the area. Conceived and built by German-born entrepreneur John C. Droge, the theatre was converted to show “talkies” by the late 1920’s.
The facility received a major remodel during its heyday between 1939 and 1941 (under the Allen’s ownership), garnered with bold new art deco features including a sculptural marquee designed by Alexander Cantin and futuristic mural by Anthony (Antoon) Heinsbergen. Between the mid-40’s and 1977, it functioned as an eclectic movie house with occasional live performances. As of today, three generations of our community have enjoyed and experienced entertainment and fine art at the facility. Droge’s imprints are still felt across the block at Central Avenue and 7th St. as the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts. He operated a corner store in what is now the South Gallery, built the (then named) Shamrock (1906) and American (1909) Hotels now housing the GWF Energy Gallery and Arts Education Studios, principally invested in the Bank of Tracy where the Souza Family Foundation Gallery and Soucheck Grand View Loggia resides, and his crown jewel of Tracy – the Grand Theatre, has been historically renovated to once again offer live performances of all kinds, as well as multi-media presentations and cinema.
This municipal interdisciplinary arts center is the only one of its kind in the state of California offering professional and community-based fine arts programming through arts education, exhibitions, performances and rentals of all kinds, in a single complex, and is one of only a small network of similar facilities across America.
The 37,000+ square foot facility opened in September of 2007, hosts over 50,000 patrons a year, and is currently presenting its 19th Season in 2025-26. The Center is owned and operated by the City of Tracy and managed by the Cultural Arts Division in City Manager’s Office. The Grand Foundation is a private 501.(C)3 fundraising and community partner providing annual underwriting for programming and technical support, as well as contributing to an endowment fund to provide long-term financial stability.
The Grand has been honored with awards from The California Heritage Council and the California Preservation Foundation and has been acknowledged in the State Legislature and U.S. Congress. The Center was recognized nationally as one of fifty unique and important cultural redevelopment projects studied in 2010.
The Cultural Arts Division Staff is available to consult with arts & cultural groups, and government and planning professionals seeking information for use in their own projects. Public tours and technical/operational site visits are offered.
The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts is a member organization of Americans for the Arts and the Theatre Historical Society of America, and supports the advocacy and programming of the California Arts Council, Californians for the Arts, and the Creative Work Fund.
Information
Grand Theatre Center for the Arts
Cultural Arts Division
715 Central Avenue
Tracy, CA 95376
T: 209.831.6TKT (6858)
F: 209.831.6271
E: boxoffice@cityoftracy.org
Facility Hours
M – TH: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Box Office is closed on alternating Friday and weekends.
Facility is closed on Holidays.
The Arts Education Program is open on Saturdays with Class Registration available located on the 2nd floor of the Center.
For performances taking place after normal business hours and/or on weekends, the Box Office will open one hour prior to the event time.
Location
Visit
All ticket sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges. Services Fees are included in the published ticket prices.
Free parking is available on nearby streets and public lots at 6th Street and Central Avenue. Patron drop-off and pick-up is available at the loading zone on Central Avenue. Please call ahead to address special needs.
The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts is a non-smoking and drug-free facility. Large bags, balloons, large bouquets of flowers, and tripods are prohibited in the theatres. During most events video recording is NOT ALLOWED. STRICTLY NO RE-ENTRY!
The Don Cose Arts Café is open at most events, offering a variety of candy, snacks and beverages for sale. Select wines and beers may be available for purchase for individuals 21+ with a valid ID.
Specialized facility tours of all kinds are available. Please contact Patrons Services at the Box Office to schedule a private or group tour.
Staff Contact
Robert Tombari
Cultural Arts Division Manager
robert.tombari@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6205
Grace Credo
Administrative Technician
grace.credo@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6234
Amanda Trask
Cultural Arts Marketing Coordinator
amanda.trask@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6289
Valerie Pavlakis
Arts Education Program Coordinator
valerie.pavlakis@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6279
Shaleila Loera
Box Office Coordinator
shaleila.loera@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6208
Argelia Cardenas
Box Office Assistant
argelia.cardenas@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6223
William Wilson
Cultural Arts Supervisor
william.wilson@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6299
Randy Benitez
Cultural Arts Technical Supervisor
randy.benitez@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6280
David Bermillo
Cultural Arts Technical Coordinator
david.bermillo@cityoftracy.org
209.831.6281
Concessions
Children’s Dance Theatre is the current non-profit partner offering concessions at select events.
Patron Services (Box Office)
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Every Other Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on Weekends and Holidays
For performances taking place after normal business hours and/or on weekends, the Box Office will open one hour prior to the event time.
Please note, Class Registration is available on Saturdays between 10 AM and 2 PM at the Arts Education Program Office located on the 2nd floor of the Center.
715 Central Avenue
Tracy, CA 95376
T: 209.831.6TKT (6858)
F: 209.831.6271
E: boxoffice@cityoftracy.org
Visitor Policies
Prohibited Items
The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts is a non-smoking and drug-free facility. Large bags, balloons, large bouquets of flowers, and tripods are prohibited in the theatres, but may be checked with Front of House Staff.
On occasion, performers may restrict the use of electronic devices. Video recording is prohibited at most events. Some events prohibit re-entry.