News Summary
Knoxville Children’s Theatre has acquired The Foundry for $4M to enhance its facilities. Plans include a new main stage, black box theatre, and more to serve local youth. KCT aims to broaden access to arts education with a capital campaign and is set to debut ‘The Sword in the Stone’ in April 2025.
Knoxville Welcomes Exciting Expansion for Children’s Theatre
Knoxville is buzzing with excitement as the Knoxville Children’s Theatre (KCT) makes a significant leap forward in its journey of creativity and community engagement. The theatre has just finalized the purchase of The Foundry, a historic building located near the bustling World’s Fair Park, for an impressive $4 million. This acquisition, wrapped up on February 20, 2025, marks a bold step towards expanding KCT’s facilities to better serve children and families in the area.
A Unique Historical Venue
The Foundry boasts a rich history, originally constructed in 1865 and known for its charming German-style beer hall ambiance since its renovation for the 1982 World’s Fair. For the past three decades, it has served as a popular venue for weddings and events, but now it’s ready for a transformation into a vibrant theatre space.
Plans for Transformation
KCT is gearing up to renovate the expansive 17,000-square-foot building. The plans are quite ambitious and include creating a main stage that will seat approximately 250-260 patrons and a cozy black box theatre that can accommodate about 100 audience members. Imagine walking into a state-of-the-art facility that will also house classrooms, a scene shop, a costume shop, and rehearsal halls dedicated to nurturing young talent.
To fuel this vital expansion, KCT has launched a major capital campaign called “Next Stage,” aiming to raise $12 million for renovations and enhancements. With this funding, KCT aims to ramp up its productions, which currently include 10 plays per year, with a remarkable 14 performances per play. This new space will open doors to larger and more complex stage sets, contributing to a more dynamic theatre experience for all.
Wider Reach and Accessibility
One of the key goals of this venture is to broaden KCT’s reach within the community, especially among local elementary and high school students. By offering a variety of educational programs and classes, KCT hopes to provide a rich creative outlet for children, allowing them to develop essential life skills and boost their self-esteem along the way. KCT is committed to ensuring that no child is turned away due to financial constraints, with scholarship funds readily available.
A Big Welcome for “The Sword in the Stone”
To top off this exciting news, KCT has announced that the first production in the renovated space is set to premiere on April 4, 2025, featuring the beloved tale of “The Sword in the Stone.” This much-anticipated show will usher in a new era of theatrical performances for the children of Knoxville.
A Bright Future in the Works
With recent successes like “James and the Giant Peach” and “Mean Girls, Jr.”, KCT has shown steady growth, bouncing back robustly from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Community support has been a powerful ally in this journey, with local leaders expressing immense enthusiasm for the developments that lie ahead.
Enhanced Experience for Every Attendee
The total renovation aims not just to increase capacity but also to enhance the entire theatre experience. Plans include improved auditorium acoustics, larger restroom facilities, and an upgraded concessions area, ensuring that every patron enjoys their visit to the theatre.
This move marks KCT’s transition from its current rented space on Central Avenue, where it has been since 2013, to a dedicated facility that will be continuously alive with the energy of creativity and performance. As KCT prepares for this exciting chapter, the future looks brighter than ever for the children and families of Knoxville.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Weekend Events in Knoxville: Celebrate February with Fun!
Knoxville Children’s Theatre Acquires The Foundry
University of Tennessee System Reports Record Growth
Last Day of Fun at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville
Exciting Theater Productions Set to Brighten Knoxville This September
Additional Resources
- Inside of Knoxville: Knoxville Children’s Theatre Purchases The Foundry
- WATE: Knoxville Children’s Theatre Purchases The Foundry at World’s Fair Park
- WBIR: Knoxville Children’s Theatre Buys Foundry, $12M Renovations
- Knox News: Knoxville Children’s Theatre Announces Relocation to The Foundry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theatre
