A small theater had 9 rows of 26 chairs each. An extra 8 chairs have just been brought in. How many chairs are in the theater now?

There were 9 rows x 26 chairs = <<9*26=234>>234 chairs in the theater before the extra chairs were brought in.

Now, there are 234 chairs + 8 chairs = <<234+8=242>>242 chairs in the theater. Answer: \boxed{242}.