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:
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.
Shrek the Musical: July 30-31, 2024
Frosty the Snowman (School matinee presented by the Barter Players): November 25, 2024
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet: December 21, 2024
Shucked: December 31, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Moulin Rouge: April 29 - May 11, 2025
Back to the Future: May 27 - June 1, 2025
Les Miserables: July 29 - August 3, 2025
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.
When is the application for subsidized tickets due?
ALL applications will be due June 28, 2024.
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.