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Theatre Arts For All

Making the Arts Accessible 

The Tennessee Theatre’s Theatre Arts for All program (then called Youth Arts Alliance) was founded in 2007 by the Tennessee Theatre, Knox County Schools and corporate partner Quantum Environmental & Engineering Services, LLC (QE2) with the hope that if students and community members can attend world-class performances in one of the most well-known theaters in the region, they would leave the experience enriched and inspired. 

Goals for Theatre Arts for All (TAFA) include:

  • Engage under-supported youth and community members in the performing arts
  • Encourage arts education
  • Expose our community to a range of arts influences and career paths in the performing arts
  • Provide tickets to world-class performances, free of cost
  • Introduce youth to the Tennessee Theatre and downtown Knoxville

Since its first year, TAFA has provided over 10,000 tickets to students in the area. This program has also allowed the Tennessee Theatre to sponsor a student matinee performance of a touring production which served over 1,500 students across 14 schools. In the coming years, we hope to expand the reach of the program to encompass more school and community groups to share what Knoxville’s Grand Entertainment Palace has to offer, including new opportunities through the Broadway Bridges On the Road program.

TAFA relies on grant money and generous donations from individuals and businesses in the community to provide arts enrichment. This project is being supported, in part, by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as well as generous support from the Thompson Charitable Foundation, Tennessee Arts Commission, and individual donors.

2025-2026 Theatre Arts for All Season

At this time, applications for the 2025-26 season have closed. Applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated and you will hear from our team by July 31, 2025.

We're thrilled to be able to offer these world-class productions to area schools and organizations -- sharing the power of theatre with everyone -- at no cost to our granted organizations. With 3 Best Musical Tony Award-winning shows, a children's theatre tour, and the revival of a family classic, there is sure to be something for everyone this season at the Tennessee Theatre!

This year's TAFA-eligible shows are:

I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS, presented by the Barter Players: November 7 (This show is recommended for elementary school students)

THE BOOK OF MORMON: November 11-16

NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET: December 19-20

KIMBERLY AKIMBO: December 30 - January 4

MJ: THE MUSICAL: January 20-25

THE OUTSIDERS: April 22-26

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: May 20-24

& JULIET: August 4-9

Broadway Bridges Tennessee Theatre

The Broadway League is launching Broadway Bridges on the Road, a new initiative aimed at expanding access to Broadway touring performances for high school students nationwide. Building on the success of its New York City counterpart, this program provides discounted tickets to productions at participating Broadway League Member venues. By collaborating with touring productions, these organizations offer affordable tickets to local high schools, making field trips to Broadway across the country a reality. This initiative enriches students’ arts education, promotes cultural equity, and cultivates a diverse future audience for live theatre.

This year's Broadway Bridges Tennessee Theatre shows include Back to the Future, Les MIsérables, and Moulin Rouge.

FAQs

When is the application for subsidized tickets due?

ALL applications will be due June 30, 2025.

How do I know if I have been granted tickets through the Theatre Arts For All program after applying?

Following the deadline, your group will be contacted by Alex Drinnen at adrinnen@tennesseetheatre.com with information regarding how many tickets your group was granted, performance dates, and ticketing information.

After accepting your tickets, you will be contacted a month prior to the show you plan to attend with show-specific information.

What if I can no longer attend the show that my group was granted tickets for?

If your group is suddenly unable to attend the show for which you were granted tickets, please contact Alex Drinnen at adrinnen@tennesseetheatre.com as soon as possible. If you cancel less than 72 hours prior to your performance, it will affect the likelihood of receiving future subsidized tickets through the program.

We ended up with extra tickets – can I give my tickets to another group?

All TAFA tickets are NON-TRANSFERRABLE. If you have extra tickets and would like to give them to another class or community group, you must contact Alex Drinnen at adrinnen@tennesseetheatre.com.

I am not a school group – can I still receive subsidized tickets?

Yes! If you are a 501c3 or other community group, you may apply for subsidized tickets.

How can I donate to or sponsor TAFA?

Click here. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Nicki Collett at ncollett@tennesseetheatre.com.