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Technical Specifications

The Historic Tennessee Theatre is a fully restored, multipurpose venue with state-of-the-art theatrical upgrades.

The Tennessee Theatre is located in downtown Knoxville at 604 South Gay Street. Please note directions below for the front of the Theatre, Administration, Stage Door, and Load-in.

Driving Directions

From Interstate 40, take Exit #388A, James White Parkway. Stay in the right lane and take second exit to the right, marked “US 441/Downtown/Cumberland Avenue.”

To Front of Theatre/Box Office

After exiting James White Parkway, turn right at the second traffic light onto Gay Street. The Theatre entrance is two blocks ahead on the right, at the corner of Gay Street and Clinch Avenue.

To Loading Door
After exiting James White Parkway, turn right at the first traffic light onto State Street. Cross Church Avenue. The loading door is on the near left corner of the Theatre, adjacent to the alley and across the street from the First Presbyterian Church and cemetery. Park on the left side of the street, close to the building under the stage extension cantilever (20’-0” clearance) to unload.

To Stage Door
After exiting James White Parkway, turn right at the first traffic light onto State Street. Cross Church Avenue. At the next intersection, turn left onto Clinch Avenue. The Stage Door is No. 204, on the left.

To Theatre Administration (including catering deliveries)
After exiting James White Parkway, turn right at the first traffic light onto State Street. Cross Church Avenue. At the next intersection, turn left onto Clinch Avenue. The Theatre offices are ahead on the left, about halfway up the block.

Dressing Rooms

All dressing rooms are located below stage level. A total of 63 dressing/make-up stations (mirrors, shelves, and incandescent light) are in the dressing room area.

Each of the following rooms is equipped with at least one shower, toilet, and sink:

4 Star Rooms – each with 2 stations:

“Helen Hayes”, “Chet Atkins”, “Lionel Hampton”, “Tom Mix”

4 Principal Rooms – three with 4 stations, one with 5 stations:

“Donald O’Connor”, “Butterfly McQueen”, “Anthony Perkins”, “Johnny Cash”

2 Chorus Rooms – each with 12 stations

“Fanny Brice”, “Robert Preston”

The following rooms are equipped with dressing/make-up stations and a hand sink:

“Frank Capra” – with 6 stations, multiple analog phone/fax lines, Internet connection, etc. (Can serve as production office.)

“John Payne” – with 4 stations, also with multiple analog phone/fax lines, Internet connection, etc. (Can serve as production office.)

“Fifi D’Orsay” – with 4 stations (Adjacent to “Fanny Brice” Chorus Room; can serve as additional chorus room space.)

Other Backstage Facilities

A passenger elevator on SR and stairwells on SR and SL serve all backstage levels and connect to audience chamber. A scenery lift serves the Stage, Pit, and State Street Levels. Consult the “Stage Specifications” section for more information.

Below stage, Pit level:

Crossover corridor
Orchestra pit, seating approximately 55 – 60 musicians
Musicians’ Storage Room, adjacent to orchestra pit
Wardrobe/Laundry with 2 washers & 2 dryers, clothing racks, mirrors, etc.
Stagehand/Crew Room with lockers
Women’s Restroom, general use

Below stage, Dressing level:

All dressing rooms listed above
Stage Door – Access to/from Clinch Avenue
Green Room – with comfortable furnishings, wet bar, and video monitor of stage.
“Glenn Miller” Room – 475 sq. ft. multipurpose room with a Marmoleum floor, a mirrored wall, and ballet barre. Door access to/from Clinch Avenue.
Catering Prep Room – Adjacent to the Glenn Miller Room, with sinks and disposal, refrigerator, microwaves, dishwasher, icemaker, counter space, storage shelves, etc.
Access to Front of House, Lounge Level

Below stage, State Street level:

Men’s Restroom, general use

Loading Door

General Storage (Theatre use only)

Extra-wide corridor for empty road case storage

Miscellaneous Equipment Inventory:

Acoustic “Shell” Enclosure

A custom acoustic shell, manufactured by the Wenger Corporation, has been designed for the renovated Tennessee Theatre. It consists of three adjustable ceiling panels, permanently rigged (see Line Plot for exact location), and nine tri-fold towers. Combinations of towers and ceiling panels can be used to increase or decrease the depth of the enclosure. For exact dimensions, weights, and other information about the shell, please contact the Technical Director.

Use of the acoustic shell is not included in the base rental and will incur an equipment charge plus labor (see Rate Card). Only authorized stagehands are allowed to set and strike the shell.

Film Projection System: The Tennessee Theatre’s film projection system consists of two (2) Century 35mm projectors, installed in summer 2000, and a Dolby Stereo sound system with digital processor.

House Movie Screen: The movie screen measures 42’-0” by 18’-0”and is permanently rigged (please consult Line Plot for exact location). Masking can adjust to any size projected image.

House Piano: 1928 Kanabi, measuring 6’-8”, suitable for rehearsals and some ensemble performances. Those needing a piano for guest artists or for professional-quality ensemble use are advised to rent an instrument to their specifications.

Ladders: The Theatre owns the following step ladders: one 10’-0”, two 8’-0” and one 6’-0”.

Man Lift: “Genie” one-person lift with a maximum extension of 24’-0”. Authorized use only.

Music Stands: The Theatre owns 75 Manhasset music stands.

Risers: The Theatre owns three (15) Wenger Duralite risers, measuring 4’-0” x 8’-0”. Legs for any number of the risers to be 8”, 16”, or 24” in height.

Wurlitzer Organ: The Theatre’s organ is a 1928 3/16 Wurlitzer, an original installation fully restored in 2001 by Ken Crome. The main and solo pipe chambers flank the proscenium opening, disguised by faux “box seats.” When not in use, the organ console is housed in a climate-controlled room one level below stage at the back of the orchestra pit. The console is brought to stage level on the pit lift. It can be located anywhere on the lift. A complete stop list available upon request. Only approved organists may play the Wurlitzer.

Seating Capacity

Fixed seating, orchestra level 1164*

Fixed seating, balcony level 394

ADA & non-fixed companion seating 40 (17 ADA, 15 companion)

Pit seating (removable, ganging) 47

Maximum capacity 1645

*39 of these fixed seats are on removable sleds to accommodate touring sound mix position.

For additional information on seating capacity, please consult the seating chart or contact the General Manager.

Dimensions

Proscenium width 54’-0”

Proscenium height 26’-0”

DS lip to rear wall 45’-3”

Fire line to rear wall 43’-0”

Last US batten to rear wall 1’-0”

SR proscenium to SR Pin Rail 16’-0”

SL proscenium to SL wall 25’-6”

Wall to Wall (SL Wall to SR Pin rail) 95’-6”

Stage Floor

The stage floor is quarter-inch-thick, double-tempered Masonite over 3 layers of three-quarter-inch plywood, sprung on 2”resilient mounts, which are spaced 16” off-center in each direction. Mineral fiber insulation is placed between mounts. Floor surface is painted flat black.

Rigging System

T-Track Counterweight system, located SR, with locking rail accessible at stage level or at fly floor.

Line sets 48

Grid Iron Height 65’-0”

Battens fly out to: 61’-6”

Batten length 56’-0”

Arbor capacity 1600 lbs. max.

Total weight available 75,000 lbs. (5000 lbs. at deck level)

Drapes

Sets of Legs, flat (Black) 5

Sets of Borders, flat (Black) 5

Concert Traveler, 75% fullness (Burgundy) 1

Travelers, flat (Black) 2

Cyclorama (Sky Blue) 1

Scrim (Black) 1

Decorative House Curtain, guillotine only 1

Scenery Lift & Loading

Measuring 9’-5” x 24’-0” is located off-SL, serving all backstage levels. Mechanical spiral-type lift. Also used as off-SL wing space when not in use (16’-0” from proscenium). Surface is double-tempered Masonite and sprung surface, identical to stage floor.

Loading occurs at lowest level, off State Street through 12’-0” x 9’-0” coiling door directly onto lift. Ramp from truck to street can be provided; no curb exists at street level. Early morning/day Load-ins: maximum two trucks at door. Late load-out (Midnight or later): maximum four trucks at door. (See “Driving Directions” for details on location of loading door.)

Pit Lift/Stage Extension

Measuring 44’-0” x 12’-0” at its widest points. Mechanical spiral-type lift. Operational at three levels: a) 8’-9” below stage, as floor of orchestra pit for approx. 55 – 60 musicians; b) 3’-8” below stage at audience level, for additional seating; and c) at stage level, adding a maximum of 13’-6” to stage depth.

POWER: (all 208 volt)

Stage Right - 3 Phase / 400 amp (back wall)

Stage Left - 3 Phase / 200 amp / Isolated Ground (back wall)

Stage Left - 3 Phase / 400 amp (side wall)

SL Fly Floor - (2) (Shares with SL sidewall power-below)

Steel Grid - (1) 3 Phase / 100 amp (for rigging motors)

House - (1) 3 Phase / 100 amp (for rigging motors DS of proscenium)

Busses - (1) 200 amp disconnect w/ cam locks

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