Theatre is about community.
In fact, theatre at the University of Tennessee began as a grassroots effort by the campus community in the early 1900s. By the 1950s, the local community became so engaged, they pushed for the construction of what you know today as the Carousel Theatre. By 1970, the community had rallied again and with the generous contribution from the Brown’s, the Clarence Brown MainStage and Lab Theatre opened.
Throughout our history, the UT and greater Knoxville communities have been our driving force as we continue to expand our engagement every year with new and ongoing programming. Check out our offerings below.
Questions, comments, or suggestions about any of the programs listed below. Contact our Community Engagement team.
Pay What You Can (PWYC)
Theatre is for all! Our Pay What You Can (PWYC) performances provide increased access to live theatre while also giving back to the local community. Know your ticket purchase, whatever amount, is going to support local area needs.
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Penny 4 Arts
Through Penny 4 Arts, every child in Knox County is eligible to attend Clarence Brown Theatre productions for
just A PENNY when accompanied by an adult to select performances. These “penny performances” help bring the creativity and inspiration of the arts to every child in our area and advance our goal of serving and advancing East Tennessee’s children.
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Deaf Night at the Theatre
Each season, in partnership with UT’s Center on Deafness, the Clarence Brown Theatre offers Deaf Night at the Theatre, making the theatre experience 100% accessible to our Deaf audience with interpreters for the show, in the Box Office, at concessions, and throughout the lobby.
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CBT Family Feast
The CBT Family Feast is your classic dinner and a show with a twist! In an age where family dinners are becoming things of the past, the CBT wants to promote this fading practice and celebrate the community of gathering for food and live theatre for one unforgettable experience.
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Blue Star Theatre
As a Theatre Communications Group (TCG) member and in partnership with Blue Star Families, the Clarence Brown Theatre is proud to support our military families by offering discounted tickets to our productions.
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Faith, Hope, and Love
As part of our mission to bring theatre to everyone in Knoxville, we began our Faith, Hope, and Love program to reach these underserved audiences and give something back during the holiday season.
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CBT Goes Green
In conjunction with UT's Office of Sustainability, our production shops and staff are concentrating on ways of becoming more energy-efficient, including methods to conserve supplies and reduce landfill waste.
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