Name

Tennessee Theatre

Legal name

The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation

Website

https://tennesseetheatre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Broadway touring productions
• Classic film screenings
• Theatre organ concerts
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets, season subscriptions, and group sales for Broadway shows, concerts, films, and special events.
2. Membership Programs: Friends of the Tennessee Theatre membership program with Bronze ($5-$499), Silver ($500-$999), Gold ($1,000-$4,999), Platinum ($5,000-$9,999), and Diamond ($10,000+) tiers offering benefits including presale access and fee waivers.
3. Marquee Messages: Rental of marquee message display for personal celebrations at $200-$500 per rental.
4. Donations: 501(c)(3) non-profit organization raising money through individual and corporate contributions to support operating costs and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Tennessee Theatre operates as a historic performing arts venue hosting touring Broadway productions, concerts, classic film screenings, and community events. It sells individual tickets, season subscriptions, group sales, and venue rentals, and runs a tiered membership program, premium add-on experiences, and education/outreach programs for students and underserved artists.

Product overview

The Tennessee Theatre is a historic performing arts venue operating as a non-profit organization (Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation). The venue serves as the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and presents a diverse portfolio of programming including touring Broadway productions, concert events, classic film screenings, and community education initiatives. Core products include the Broadway at the Tennessee subscription series, Summer Movie Magic film series featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, Mighty Musical Monday free concerts, Pass the Mic community programming for underserved artists, Theatre Arts for All education programs, and The Marquee Awards regional high school theatre competition. The theatre operates membership programs (Friends of the Tennessee Theatre), premium add-on experiences (Spotlight Club, Griffin Society), and venue rentals. Educational offerings span student tours, workshops, Dr. Broadway sessions, and summer camps. The facility houses the historic Mighty Wurlitzer organ, a 3/17 Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed in 1928 and restored in 2001.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Broadway at the Tennessee Season subscription series presenting touring Broadway productions including & Juliet, Death Becomes Her, The Great Gatsby, Mamma Mia!, The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, and Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen. Sold to individual theatre-goers and Broadway patrons.
• Summer Movie Magic Film screening series featuring classic movies shown on the big screen with pre-show performances on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Includes family-friendly Disney films and Hollywood classics.
• Mighty Musical Monday Free monthly concert series featuring the historic Mighty Wurlitzer organ performed by House Organist Freddie Brabson alongside rotating local guest artists. Presented on the first Monday of each month.
• Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change Series of immersive arts events providing a stage for artists from marginalized and underserved communities through concerts, visual art displays, discussions, and educational opportunities.
• Theatre Arts for All (TAFA) Education program providing subsidized student tickets, student matinees, educational tours, workshops, student ambassador program, and mentor program. Has provided over 10,000 tickets to students since inception.
• Friends of the Tennessee Theatre (FOTT) Membership Annual membership program with five tiers (Bronze $5-$499, Silver $500-$999, Gold $1,000-$4,999, Platinum $5,000-$9,999, Diamond $10,000+) offering benefits including presale access, waived ticket fees, exclusive events, and donor recognition.
• Spotlight Club Premium add-on experience for Friday Night Broadway ticket holders. Hosted at 612 S. Gay Street with pre-show reception, VIP open bar, chef-curated small bites, and complimentary intermission refreshments. Full-season pass $900 or $180 per show.
• Griffin Society Premium add-on experience exclusively for Tuesday Night Broadway ticket holders ages 21-40. Includes pre-show reception, networking opportunities, early theatre access, concession vouchers, and discounted tickets to select shows.
• Venue Rental Historic theatre venue available for private events and corporate rentals at 604 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN. Houses the historic Mighty Wurlitzer organ installed in 1928.
• Marquee Messages Digital marquee rental service allowing patrons to display personalized messages on the Tennessee Theatre marquee. Three packages: Package A ($200), Package B ($350), Package C with lights ($500).
• VOICE AND VERSE Summer Camp Immersive arts summer camp for students in grades 5-12 exploring Shakespeare and theatre arts. $150 per student with scholarships available.
• The Marquee Awards Regional awards program supporting high school theater students in East Tennessee. Includes education through workshops with industry professionals, adjudication of productions, recognition in award categories, and participation in the national Jimmy Awards.
• Dr. Broadway Sessions Free educational sessions hosted by Musical Theatre Historian Kristin Stultz Pressley for each Broadway show in the season, providing behind-the-scenes insights about productions.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 250,000 Broadway patrons entertained since 2008
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• East Tennessee PBScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Public broadcasting partner for Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change series, airing documentary episodes about featured artists.
• RegalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre. Regal Entertainment Group operates movie theatres and provides sponsorship support for the venue's programming and operations.
• Greater Knoxville Honda DealerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Broadway at the Tennessee series since 2008.
• FirstBankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Summer Movie Magic film series.
• Visit KnoxvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal tourism organization and sponsor of Broadway at the Tennessee series.
• Stowers Machinery CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Broadway at the Tennessee series.
• Rather & Kittrell Capital ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Broadway at the Tennessee series.
• Cherokee DistributionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre.
• Eagle DistributingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre.
• Company DistillingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre.
• Mast General StoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre.
• Appalachia Business Communications CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing business communications services.
• Allevia TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre.
• Premier Contracting ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Tennessee Theatre.
• Coca-Cola ConsolidatedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Mighty Musical Monday series, providing complimentary popcorn and refreshments for free monthly concerts.
• Arts & Cultural AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing grant funding and support for theatre programming and education initiatives.
• City of KnoxvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing grant funding and support for theatre operations and community programs.
• Knox CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner providing grant funding for theatre operations.
• Knox County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Theatre Arts for All program providing student access to Broadway performances.
• Live NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment company providing Knoxville-based employees for booking and marketing concerts and Broadway productions.
• Knoxville Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident performing arts organization using the Tennessee Theatre throughout the year for classical music performances.
• Knoxville OperacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident opera company using the Tennessee Theatre as a performance venue.
• Clarence Brown TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal theatre partner supporting the Marquee Awards program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC): TPAC in Nashville is a multi-venue performing arts center hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and educational programs. Comparable as a Tennessee-based non-profit presenting the same touring Broadway and concert product.
• Saenger Theatre (New Orleans): Saenger Theatre is a 1927 historic theater in New Orleans presenting Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, and films. Comparable historic movie palace converted to performing arts use with similar programming calendar.
• Ryman Auditorium: Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is a historic 1892 performing arts venue hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and special events under Ryman Hospitality Properties. Closest comparable as a state-heritage venue with touring Broadway and concert programming in Tennessee.
• Bijou Theatre (Knoxville): Bijou Theatre is a historic 1909 theater in downtown Knoxville offering Broadway tours, concerts, and community programming. Direct local peer competing for the same Knoxville audience and touring content.
• Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC): DPAC is a 2,700-seat performing arts venue in Durham, NC, hosting Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, and family shows. Comparable as a Southeast regional presenting house with strong Broadway tour business.
• Orpheum Theatre (Memphis): Orpheum Theatre in Memphis is a 1928 historic theater hosting Broadway touring productions, concerts, and educational programs through a similar non-profit operating model. Directly comparable as a regional Tennessee/National Register historic performing arts venue.
• Stifel Theatre: Stifel Theatre (formerly Peabody Opera House) is a historic 1934 theater in St. Louis hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and comedy. Comparable as a regional historic theater with mixed Broadway/concert programming.
• Fox Theatre (Atlanta): Fox Theatre in Atlanta is a 1929 movie palace converted into a performing arts venue, hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and films under a non-profit structure. Highly comparable as a Southeast U.S. historic theater with similar programming mix.

Others

• Ticketmaster: Ticketmaster is the official ticketing platform for Tennessee Theatre, providing digital ticketing infrastructure and Account Manager integration. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor, but central to the venue's distribution model.
• Live Nation (Theater Division): Live Nation is Tennessee Theatre's core booking and marketing partner that operates and books content at numerous historic theaters nationwide. Relevant as the strategic ecosystem partner providing content pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TennesseeTheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/tennesseetheatre
• Xx.com/TNTheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/historic-tennessee-theatre-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee Theatre