A ballet dancer in front of Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN

See a Show at These Theaters in Tennessee

See a Broadway touring production, dance performance or live music at Tennessee's state-of-the-art performing arts centers.

Travel Inspiration From Tennessee Vacation

Want to see a Broadway show, dance performance or live music in a beautiful theater, Tennessee delivers with former "movie palaces" converted to opulent performing arts centers, rural theaters and black box theaters. See the concerts and productions coming to Tennessee's theaters and catch a show while in the state.

East Tennessee Theaters

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Tivoli Theatre – Chattanooga

See theatre, dance and music performances at the Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga TN
The Tivoli Theatre in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Journal Communications Inc./Jeff Adkins

In Tennessee’s “Scenic City,” you can see touring Broadway shows like “Waitress,” “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” and “Anastasia” along with films, concerts and more at The Tivoli Theatre, known as “The Jewel of the South” in Chattanooga. For more than 90 years, the theater has been a space that offers a variety of entertainment from silent movies to dance performances. The Tivoli is on the National Register of Historic Places and reflects a Beaux Arts style that was popular for 1920s movie palaces.

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Niswonger Performing Arts Center – Greeneville

Live performances are held at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville TN
A unique variety of entertainment from classic rock performances, comedy and theatrical productions can be found here.
Photo Credit: Journal Communications Inc. / Nathan Lambrecht

Go to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville for a unique variety of entertainment from classic rock performances, comedy and theatrical productions. For more than 15 years the Center has welcomed a wide range of programming to its guests. And, the 2021-22 season is no different, bringing music from Jimmy Fortune, Crowder and Arrival from Sweden: The Music of Abba; “Menopause The Musical;” high-flying feats from Mutts Gone Nuts and more.

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Clayton Center for the Arts – Maryville

A ballet dancer in front of Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN
A ballet dancer in front of Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, TN

Theater thrives in Tennessee towns like Maryville. See a performance in the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre at the Clayton Center for the Arts. This 1,068-capacity theater is the Center’s largest performance space. It hosts exciting lineups of dance, music, theater and visual art in the four galleries which display local and regional artwork. The 2021-2022 Season announcement will be made soon.

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Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville

The Tennessee Theatre is a 1920s movie palace converted into a performing arts center in Knoxville.

When you walk into the Tennessee Theatre, you’ll be awed by the Spanish-Moorish interior style with its French-style Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring in the Grand Lobby and Asian influences in the carpet and drapery patterns. Every event held in this 1928 “movie palace” gets an elegant touch by being surrounded by such opulence. Take in family movies in the summer, music performances by famous artists, Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Broadway touring productions like “Mean Girls” and “Rent,” and so much more.

Middle Tennessee Theaters

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The Roxy Regional Theatre – Clarksville

See movies, live music and productions at the Roxy Regional Theatre.
In Clarksville, see movies and plays at the Roxy.
Photo Credit: Visit Clarksville

Local entertainment including professional theater performances can be seen at The Roxy Regional Theatre. This summer, you can see a variety of classic movies like “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Jaws,” “Hocus Pocus” and more. This year, the Roxy brings their 39th season of theater performances back starting with “All Shook Up” in September. Other productions include “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Freedom Train,” and “Godspell” among others.

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The Center for the Arts – Murfreesboro

The Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro brings quality entertainment with theatrical productions, music, concerts, dance performances and art exhibitions to their guests. The 2021-22 Season is full of musical theater performances like “Little Women,” “Matilda,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Sister Act” and more. Go to the art gallery to see art created between March and August 2020 in a collection called “Creating During Quarantine.” The works were curated from community artists.

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South Jackson Civic Center - Tullahoma

South Jackson Civic Center in Tullahoma TN
Photo Credit: @whattoseewithab

South Jackson Civic Center is the only facility of its kind in the region. It has hosted more than 2,500 events, and includes rehearsal facilities, conference and meeting rooms, a 400-seat auditorium, full stage with proscenium arch and a local history museum. See regional and national talent in productions like "Always...Patsy Cline," "Beauty & the Beast" and more. They also offer dance classes and concerts.

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Cumberland County Playhouse – Crossville

Cumberland County Playhouse is one of the largest rural theaters in America.
Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Cumberland County Playhouse / Barry Brown

One of the 10 largest professional theaters in rural America, Cumberland County Playhouse has two indoor stages and one outdoor stage, an ongoing concert series, young audience productions and a dance program. Each year, more than 80,000 guests come to enjoy the high-quality performances at the Playhouse. Having hosted numerous popular shows in recent years such as “Godspell,” "Young Frankenstein," Disney's Frozen Jr.," “Little House on the Prairie", "And Then There Were None," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and more, come experience Broadway-level performances at the Cumberland County Playhouse. Be sure to visit their website or call the box office at 931-484-5000 to purchase your tickets for the shows that are playing now and down the road.

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Tennessee Performing Arts Center – Nashville

Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville TN
See touring Broadway productions.
Photo Credit: @mikeymo94 / @tennesseepac

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center in downtown Nashville is the premier theater for performing and cultural arts. More than 14 million people have experienced a production at TPAC as the theater is a major market for Broadway touring productions. The theater also hosts the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Repertory Theatre and Nashville Opera. Live theatre and music are back at TPAC with “The Lion King,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “May We All,” and “Come From Away” among many others.

West Tennessee Theaters

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The Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center – Jackson

The Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center in Jackson hosts music and stage acts in an intimate performance space. The 2,200-square-foot facility has 440 seats within the theater as well as two art galleries that host traveling and local exhibits. This year is a year of music performances as The Ned hosts a variety of music acts for the 2021-22 season including Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience, No Time Flatt and Kellye Cash among others.

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Crosstown Theater – Memphis

Crosstown Theatre is a black box theater in Memphis, TN
Step into this black box theater for films, music and more.
Photo Credit: Crosstown Arts

Steps from the shopping, dining and entertainment complex Crosstown Concourse in Memphis is Crosstown Theater, a 425-seat black box theater that hosts a wealth of programming like performing arts, films and music. Enjoy intimate musical performances ranging from national headliners to local musicians.

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Orpheum Theatre - Memphis

See a live performance at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN
Orpheum Theatre marquee in Memphis, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Journal Communications, Inc.

The Orpheum Theatre is a stunning 1928 theatre featuring architectural beauty, artisan millwork, gilding and original fixtures. It was one of the first buildings in Memphis to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Orpheum is the premier theater in Memphis to see touring Broadway productions each year as well as performances by Ballet Memphis, concerts and local cultural events such as the International Blues Challenge. In 2021-22, you can see a variety of concerts by Black Violin, Brothers Osborne and ZZ Top among others. The 2021-22 Broadway Series includes "Hamilton," "Hadestown," "Tootsie" and "Cats." 

 

See a show at these and more theaters, venues and performing arts centers in Tennessee.

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