News

January 2025

Tuesday, January 14th, 2025

Here’s a look at the future Jenny Boyd Theatre at the University of Tennessee

Sanders Pace said the building will serve as a teaching tool and provide a versatile space that can seamlessly transition between different theatrical formats.

Credit: Sanders Pace Architecture

The University of Tennessee announced the project in May 2021. Architecture firm Sanders Pace recently released renderings of the $20 million project.

Author: Kaitlin Riordan

Updated: 2:18 PM EST January 9, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The architecture firm in charge of the University of Tennessee’s new carousel theatre project released renderings of the project as construction is underway. 

The future Jenny Boyd Carousel Theatre, named for UT grad and wife of the school’s president, will sit next to the Clarence Brown Theatre. The university announced the project in 2021.

According to the architecture firm Sanders Pace, the building “offers enhanced capabilities while continuing the innovative and welcoming spirit that has come to define UT’s theater culture.”

The firm said the building will serve as a teaching tool and provide a versatile space that can seamlessly transition between different theatrical formats. It also offers additional space for gathering with an expanded lobby and patron lounge. 

The building in total is 19,952 square feet in size and cost more than $20 million. It’s expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

Architecture firm releases renderings of Jenny Boyd Theatre project

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Sanders Pace

Plans have been in the works for years to replace the existing Carousel, which dates to the 1950s and started with the intent of being a temporary structure.

The venue is a sentimental favorite among audiences, but it’s aging and has limited and primitive accommodations for actors backstage and can become cramped when trying to put on a play with a larger cast.

---