Tennessee Theatre
A historic movie palace and performing-arts venue in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Tennessee Theatre is a historic movie palace and live-entertainment venue in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. It occupies the Burwell Building, completed in 1908 and regarded as Knoxville's first skyscraper. The theatre itself was constructed inside the building during 1927 and 1928, opening on October 1, 1928, with approximately 2,000 seats. Promoted at its opening as Knoxville's grand entertainment palace, it combined a lavish Spanish-Moorish architectural scheme with imported decorative elements, early air-conditioning, and a Wurlitzer theatre organ. Designed by Chicago architects Graven & Mayger and built by George A. Fuller, the theatre reflected the cosmopolitan design language of the grand movie palaces of the era. Its interior incorporated Czechoslovak crystal in French-style chandeliers, Italian terrazzo in the Grand Lobby, and decorative patterns influenced by Asian textiles and ornament. The theatre became an important regional destination for motion pictures, stage entertainment, and special events. It hosted world premieres including So This Is Love in 1953 and the film adaptation of James Agee's All the Way Home in 1963. A 1966 refurbishment reduced the seating capacity to 1,545. Changing ownership, competition from newer cinemas, and shifts in movie exhibition eventually placed pressure on the venue. It closed for the first time in 1977 and operated intermittently during the remainder of that decade. Dick Broadcasting purchased the theatre and the Burwell Building in 1981 and began improvement work in preparation for Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair. The theatre and building were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, formalizing their importance as historic properties. The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation was established in 1996. Dick Broadcasting subsequently donated the theatre to the nonprofit foundation, which became the principal vehicle for its preservation and operation. The theatre was also designated the Official State Theatre of Tennessee. In 2001, the foundation announced a comprehensive restoration and renovation program. The project raised $29.3 million from public and private sources, including $6.3 million in tax credits, and required the theatre to close in June 2003. The restoration sought to recover the building's historic appearance while adapting it for modern performing arts. Work included extending the stage with a cantilevered structure above State Street, enlarging the orchestra pit, adding a custom orchestra shell, improving dressing rooms, lighting, rigging, elevators, sound isolation, and theatrical systems, and installing a new marquee. Historic carpets, draperies, fixtures, plaster, paint, and decorative finishes were repaired or recreated. Seating was configured for 1,645 patrons. The theatre reopened on January 14, 2005, and recorded a near-sold-out season. Today, the Tennessee Theatre presents performing arts events, concerts, touring productions, classic films, and special programs. It is home to the Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and it is managed by AC Entertainment. Its Broadway programming has included productions such as Chicago, Movin' Out, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, and Stomp. The venue also remains associated with its Mighty Wurlitzer organ, which was installed at opening, restored in the early 2000s, and returned to public performance in 2001. The theatre reached one million tickets sold after its restoration in 2013. Its architectural character and continued programming make it both a heritage attraction and a major cultural venue for Knoxville.
History
The Tennessee Theatre was built within Knoxville's Burwell Building, a 1908 commercial structure considered the city's first skyscraper. Construction of the theatre took place from 1927 to 1928, with Chicago architects Graven & Mayger responsible for a Spanish-Moorish design enriched by decorative influences from several regions. George A. Fuller, whose company also built New York's Flatiron Building, served as the builder. The theatre opened on October 1, 1928, with around 2,000 seats, air-conditioning, and a Wurlitzer organ. Its ornate interior included imported crystal, Italian terrazzo, richly patterned carpets, elaborate plasterwork, and decorative lighting. During its cinema heyday, the Tennessee Theatre served as a major exhibition and event venue for Knoxville and the surrounding region. It presented popular motion pictures, live entertainment, and special premieres. Among the films associated with the venue were the 1953 world premiere of So This Is Love and the 1963 adaptation of James Agee's All the Way Home. A 1966 refurbishment altered the auditorium and reduced seating to 1,545. The theatre's later history reflected the challenges faced by traditional movie palaces as audiences moved toward multiplex cinemas and other forms of entertainment. It changed ownership several times and closed for the first time in 1977. Although it reopened intermittently late in the decade, its long-term future remained uncertain. Dick Broadcasting acquired the theatre and the Burwell Building in 1981 and undertook renovation activity before the 1982 World's Fair. The properties were listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 1, 1982. The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation was formed in 1996. Dick Broadcasting donated the theatre to the nonprofit organization, which assumed a central preservation and stewardship role. The theatre received the designation Official State Theatre of Tennessee. In 2001, the foundation began planning a complete restoration. The $29.3 million program combined public and private fundraising with $6.3 million in tax credits. The theatre closed in June 2003 while the work was carried out. The restoration balanced historical accuracy with the needs of modern performance production. The stage was deepened through a cantilevered addition extending two stories above State Street. The orchestra pit was enlarged, a custom orchestra shell was installed, and dressing rooms, elevators, lighting, rigging, sound isolation, and other technical systems were upgraded. Historic interior elements were restored or reproduced, including carpets, draperies, lighting fixtures, plaster, and painted surfaces. The restored venue was configured for 1,645 seats and reopened on January 14, 2005, followed by a highly successful season. The Tennessee Theatre subsequently broadened its role beyond film exhibition. It became a venue for concerts, classic movies, Broadway-style touring shows, opera, orchestral performances, and community events. Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra are based at or regularly associated with the venue, while AC Entertainment manages its operations. Broadway programming moved from the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to the theatre for the 2008–2009 season and was renamed Broadway at the Tennessee. The theatre also maintains its historic association with the Mighty Wurlitzer. The organ was removed for specialist restoration in 2000, returned in August 2001, and publicly presented again at a gala concert on October 1, 2001. The venue announced the sale of its one millionth post-restoration ticket in 2013. It has also appeared on screen, including in October Sky and The Last Movie Star.
- 2013
One millionth post-restoration ticket sold
[1]The theatre announced that ticket sales since its 2005 reopening had reached one million.
- 2008
Broadway at the Tennessee introduced
[1]Broadway-style touring productions moved to the theatre and were presented under the Broadway at the Tennessee name.
- 2005
Restored theatre reopens
[1]The Tennessee Theatre reopened on January 14 with a restored interior, expanded stage, modernized systems, and 1,645 seats.
- 2003
Theatre closes for restoration
[1]The venue closed in June for comprehensive restoration and performance-infrastructure upgrades.
- 2001
Restoration campaign announced
[1]The foundation announced a major restoration and modernization project, while the restored Wurlitzer returned to Knoxville and was publicly performed in October.
- 2000
Wurlitzer organ sent for restoration
[1]The theatre organ was shipped to Nevada for a piece-by-piece restoration by specialist rebuilder Ken Crome.
- 1996
Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation formed
[1]A nonprofit foundation was established to support the preservation and long-term stewardship of the theatre.
- 1982
National Register listing
[1]The theatre and Burwell Building were added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 1.
- 1981
Dick Broadcasting acquires the property
[1]Dick Broadcasting purchased the theatre and Burwell Building and began renovation preparations.
- 1977
First major closure
[1]The theatre closed for the first time and subsequently operated only intermittently during the late 1970s.
Products and positioning
Historic, architecturally distinctive entertainment and performing-arts venue combining movie-palace heritage with contemporary concerts, touring productions, orchestral performances, opera, and classic cinema.
Performing arts
Live concerts and performing-arts events
The theatre presents concerts and a broad range of performing-arts events in a restored historic auditorium. Its facilities support amplified music, orchestral presentations, touring productions, and community cultural programming.
Touring theatre · 2008
Broadway at the Tennessee
Broadway at the Tennessee is the venue's Broadway-style touring-production series. It was introduced for the 2008–2009 season after the earlier Broadway in Knoxville program at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum ended, and has presented productions including Chicago, Movin' Out, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, and Stomp.
Cinema · 1928
Classic films
Although its role has expanded beyond motion pictures, the Tennessee Theatre continues to show classic films and uses its movie-palace setting as part of the viewing experience.
Historic musical instrument · 1928
Mighty Wurlitzer organ
Installed when the theatre opened, the Wurlitzer organ is a signature feature of the venue. It was restored around 2000–2001 and remains available for organ performances and special programs.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008Broadway at the Tennessee
Knoxville · East Tennessee
The theatre repositioned Broadway-style programming from the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to its own restored stage and renamed the series Broadway at the Tennessee.
Outcome. The series established the theatre as a host for touring musical and dramatic productions, including Chicago, Movin' Out, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, and Stomp.
- 2001Complete restoration and renovation campaign
Knoxville · Tennessee · United States
The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation led a public-private fundraising campaign to restore the building's historic appearance and modernize it for larger and more technically demanding performances. The program used donations and tax credits and ultimately supported a $29.3 million project.
Outcome. The restored theatre reopened in 2005 with expanded stage and production capabilities, improved accessibility and audience facilities, and 1,645 seats.
- 1981World's Fair renovation effort
Knoxville · East Tennessee
After acquiring the theatre, Dick Broadcasting began renovation work aimed in part at preparing the venue for the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville.
Outcome. The theatre remained an operating historic venue and received National Register recognition in 1982.
Brand decisions
2008
Move Broadway-style programming to the Tennessee TheatreStrategyBackground
The Broadway in Knoxville series at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum ended after failing to generate sufficient profit.
Action taken
Broadway-style productions were transferred to the restored Tennessee Theatre and relaunched as Broadway at the Tennessee.
Aftermath
The theatre expanded its role from a film and concert venue into a presenter of touring musical and dramatic productions.
2001
Commitment to comprehensive restorationStrategyBackground
The historic venue required substantial preservation work and modern production infrastructure to remain viable as a contemporary cultural facility.
Action taken
The foundation approved and launched a full restoration and renovation program funded through public and private support, including tax credits.
Aftermath
The project led to a restored venue with an expanded stage, improved technical systems, enhanced accessibility, and a 2005 reopening.
Restoration project cost. $29.3 million (2001–2005)
Recent events
- 2013
Tennessee Theatre surpasses one million post-restoration tickets[1]
Other
The theatre announced that it had sold its one millionth ticket since reopening after the major restoration.
- 2008
Broadway at the Tennessee launches[1]
Campaign
After the Broadway in Knoxville series at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum ended because of weak profitability, Broadway-style programming moved to the Tennessee Theatre and was relaunched as Broadway at the Tennessee.
- 2005
Tennessee Theatre reopens after restoration[1]
Other
The theatre reopened on January 14 after an extensive renovation that restored historic interiors, expanded stage capabilities, and upgraded audience and production facilities.
- 2001
Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation announces comprehensive restoration[1]
Other
The foundation announced a major restoration and modernization program intended to preserve the theatre's historic fabric while improving its capacity for large-scale performances.
- 1982
Tennessee Theatre added to the National Register of Historic Places[1]
Other
The Tennessee Theatre and the Burwell Building received National Register of Historic Places recognition, reinforcing their architectural and cultural significance in Knoxville.
- 1981
Dick Broadcasting begins theatre preservation work[1]
Other
After acquiring the theatre and the Burwell Building, Dick Broadcasting initiated renovation work connected with Knoxville's 1982 World's Fair.
Sources2 sources
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