New Jenny Boyd Theatre: flexible, “cutting edge”

Ken Martin looks at the intriguing new exterior wall which lists by year every production ever held in the Carousel Theatre.

It’s really fascinating to peruse.

Sign ready to be installed.

Finally, a proper entrance and lobby area. The former Carousel Theatre didn’t have such amenities. Patrons pretty much entered straight into the auditorium itself.

Down these steps is the lobby proper. We’ll show more of that a little later in the post.

But first, here’s an important new feature: a patron lounge. Concessions and beverages will be sold from that opening. Previous patrons of the Carousel Theatre had to walk next door to the Clarence Brown Theatre to procure refreshments. The lounge will be named for the Stowers family.

Alan Carmichael studies the very interesting wall featuring the history of the Carousel Theatre and highlighting some famous folks who have performed there including Carol Mayo Jenkins, John Cullum, Dale Dickey, and David Keith.

Jenkins’ and Cullum’s early work at the Carousel Theatre was a significant part of the Knoxville arts scene in the 1950s. Jenkins began her career there at age 17, with Cullum as her co-star in “The Petrified Forest.”

Cal MacLean was head of the UT Theatre Department from 2006 to 2021. He re-energized the department and turned it into a vital professional theater with graduate and undergraduate programs. Today, more than 100 graduate and undergraduate students participate in productions there alongside over 100 professional staff. This approach provides a valuable educational opportunity and an important cultural resource — the only one of its kind in Tennessee.

Dr. Paul Soper was an early theater pioneer at UT and was instrumental in the development of today’s excellent department. I hope you can read his credits on this plaque.

Design drawings for the original Carousel Theatre built in 1952. It replaced a tent with sawdust flooring that was used for productions in 1951.

Mickey Sutliff, left, of Sanders Pace Architecture, joined us for part of the tour. He’s here with Department Head Ken Martin.

Here’s the stage, as viewed from the balcony. The stage can be configured three different ways: in the round; in a traditional straight proscenium setup; or in the “thrust” setup, pictured here, with a performance platform that extends into the audience, allowing seating on three sides.

There will be two rows of seats in the balcony. The first row will be traditional seats like these.

The second row will consist of tall chairs like these.

Here’s a view from the stage itself. Those lights on the stairs will make it unnecessary for ushers with flashlights to help patrons to their seats.

This disco ball is in place for the party on Saturday!

Jenny Boyd’s signature is on the wall leading to the backstage area.

And guess what! There are four dressing rooms that can accommodate 20 people. This is a big improvement.

Also backstage, a “green room,” which is a kind of waiting room for performers before they go on stage. Other new spaces: an AV shop; a prop room; a costume room that has two washers, two dryers, and a wig steamer (!); and a stage management area, among others.

Yay! Throughout the building are new restrooms. Again, patrons used to have to trek to the Clarence Brown Theatre to use the facilities.

Back to the public-facing areas, here’s the new box office.

And, the lobby.

On Tuesday, ladders and other construction equipment were still on site.

Here’s the Melanie Wood Piazza (or Plaza) again.

Official dedication plaque.

There’s still an area for outside posters advertising upcoming performances, just as there was on the exterior of the Carousel.

“Cabaret” will be the first show. Official opening night will be Friday, February 13, 2026. Margie Gill says the fact that it falls on Friday the 13th actually is good luck! Let’s go with that!

As we left, we saw progress on the sign installation.

Ken Martin said the construction of the Jenny Boyd Theatre offered an opportunity to improve patron access to the Clarence Brown Theatre, as well. This area is between the two buildings.

The Bob Mashburn Garden, which originally was planted in 2019, was displaced by the construction. It was replanted in a new space between the two theaters. And, get this. The Lenten roses are descended from plants cultivated by Paul Soper, the legendary UT theatre professor mentioned earlier.

A better view of the memorial.

A rest area near the memorial garden.