The Official State Theatre of Tennessee
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Technical Specifications
The Historic Tennessee Theatre is a fully restored, multipurpose venue with state-of-the-art theatrical upgrades.
The Tennessee Theatre is located in downtown Knoxville at 604 South Gay Street. Please note directions below for the front of the Theatre, Administration, Stage Door, and Load-in.
Driving Directions
From Interstate 40, take Exit #388A, James White Parkway. Stay in the right lane and take second exit to the right, marked “US 441/Downtown/Cumberland Avenue.”
To
Front of Theatre/Box Office
After
exiting James White Parkway,
turn right at the second traffic
light onto Gay Street. The Theatre entrance is two blocks ahead on
the right, at the corner of Gay
Street and Clinch Avenue.
To
Loading Door
After
exiting James White Parkway,
turn right at the first traffic
light onto State Street. Cross
Church Avenue. The loading door is on the near left corner of the Theatre, adjacent to
the alley and across the street from the First Presbyterian Church and
cemetery. Park on the left side of the street, close to the
building under the stage extension cantilever (20’-0” clearance) to unload.
To
Stage Door
After
exiting James White Parkway,
turn right at the first traffic
light onto State Street. Cross
Church Avenue. At the next intersection, turn left onto Clinch Avenue. The Stage Door is No. 204, on the left.
To
Theatre Administration (including catering deliveries)
After
exiting James White Parkway,
turn right at the first traffic
light onto State Street. Cross
Church Avenue. At the next intersection, turn left onto Clinch Avenue. The Theatre offices are ahead on the left, about
halfway up the block.
Dressing Rooms
All dressing rooms are located below stage level. A total of 63 dressing/make-up stations (mirrors, shelves, and incandescent light) are in the dressing room area.
Each of the following rooms is equipped with at least one shower, toilet, and sink:
4 Star Rooms – each with 2 stations
“Helen Hayes”
“Chet Atkins”
“Lionel Hampton”
“Tom Mix”
4 Principal Rooms – three with 4 stations, one with 5 stations
“Donald O’Connor”
“Butterfly McQueen”
“Anthony Perkins”
“Johnny Cash”
2 Chorus Rooms – each with 12 stations
“Fanny Brice”
“Robert Preston”
The following rooms are equipped with dressing/make-up stations and a hand sink:
“Frank Capra” – with 6 stations, multiple analog phone/fax lines, Internet connection, etc. (Can serve as production office.)
“John Payne” – with 4 stations, also with multiple analog phone/fax lines, Internet connection, etc. (Can serve as production office.)
“Fifi D’Orsay” – with 4 stations (Adjacent to “Fanny Brice” Chorus Room; can serve as additional chorus room space.)
Other Backstage Facilities
A passenger elevator on SR and stairwells on SR and SL serve all backstage levels and connect to audience chamber. A scenery lift serves the Stage, Pit, and State Street Levels. Consult the “Stage Specifications” section for more information.
Below stage, Pit level:
- Crossover corridor
- Orchestra pit, seating approximately 55 – 60 musicians
- Musicians’ Storage Room, adjacent to orchestra pit
- Wardrobe/Laundry with 2 washers & 2 dryers, clothing racks, mirrors, etc.
- Stagehand/Crew Room with lockers
- Women’s Restroom, general use
Below stage, Dressing level:
- All dressing rooms listed above
- Stage Door – Access to/from Clinch Avenue
- Green Room – with comfortable furnishings, wet bar, and video monitor of stage.
- “Glenn Miller” Room – 475 sq. ft. multipurpose room with a Marmoleum floor, a mirrored wall, and ballet barre. Door access to/from Clinch Avenue.
- Catering Prep Room – Adjacent to the Glenn Miller Room, with sinks and disposal, refrigerator, microwaves, dishwasher, icemaker, counter space, storage shelves, etc.
- Access to Front of House, Lounge Level
Below stage, State Street level:
- Men’s Restroom, general use
- Loading Door
- General Storage (Theatre use only)
- Extra-wide corridor for empty road case storage
Miscellaneous Equipment Inventory
Acoustic
“Shell” Enclosure
A
custom acoustic shell, manufactured by the Wenger Corporation, has been
designed for the renovated Tennessee Theatre. It consists of three adjustable ceiling panels, permanently rigged (see
Line Plot for exact location), and nine tri-fold towers. Combinations of towers
and ceiling panels can be used to increase or decrease the depth of the
enclosure. For exact dimensions,
weights, and other information about the shell, please contact the Technical
Director.
Use of the acoustic shell is not included in the base rental and will incur an equipment charge plus labor (see Rate Card). Only authorized stagehands are allowed to set and strike the shell.
Film
Projection System
The
Tennessee Theatre’s film projection system consists of two (2) Century 35mm
projectors, installed in summer 2000, and a Dolby Stereo sound system with
digital processor.
House
Movie Screen
The
movie screen measures 42’-0” by 18’-0”and is permanently rigged (please consult
Line Plot for exact location). Masking
can adjust to any size projected image.
House Piano
1928 Kanabi, measuring 6’-8”, suitable for rehearsals and some ensemble performances. Those needing a piano for guest artists or for professional-quality ensemble use are advised to rent an instrument to their specifications.
Ladders
The
Theatre owns the following step ladders: one 10’-0”, two 8’-0” and one 6’-0”.
Man
Lift
“Genie”
one-person lift with a maximum extension of 24’-0”. Authorized use only.
Music
Stands
The
Theatre owns 75 Manhasset music stands.
Risers
The
Theatre owns three (15) Wenger Duralite risers, measuring 4’-0” x 8’-0”. Legs
for any number of the risers to be 8”, 16”, or 24” in height.
Wurlitzer
Organ
The
Theatre’s organ is a 1928 3/16 Wurlitzer, an original installation fully
restored in 2001 by Ken Crome. The main
and solo pipe chambers flank the proscenium opening, disguised by faux “box
seats.” When not in use, the organ console is housed in a climate-controlled
room one level below stage at the back of the orchestra pit. The console is brought to stage level on the
pit lift. It can be located anywhere on
the lift. A complete stop list available
upon request. Only approved organists
may play the Wurlitzer.
Seating Capacity
Fixed seating, orchestra level 1159*
Fixed seating, balcony level 394
ADA & non-fixed companion seating 32 (17 ADA, 15 companion)
Pit seating (removable, ganging) 46
Maximum capacity 1631
*39 of these fixed seats are on removable sleds to accommodate touring sound mix position.
For additional information on seating capacity, please consult the seating chart or contact the General Manager.
Dimensions
Proscenium width 54’-0”
Proscenium height 26’-0”
DS lip to rear wall 45’-3”
Fire line to rear wall 43’-0”
Last US batten to rear wall 1’-0”
SR proscenium to SR Pin Rail 16’-0”
SL proscenium to SL wall 25’-6”
Wall to Wall (SL Wall to SR Pin rail) 95’-6”
Stage Floor
The stage floor is quarter-inch-thick, double-tempered Masonite over 3 layers of three-quarter-inch plywood, sprung on 2”resilient mounts, which are spaced 16” off-center in each direction. Mineral fiber insulation is placed between mounts. Floor surface is painted flat black.
Rigging System
T-Track Counterweight system, located SR, with locking rail accessible at stage level or at fly floor.
Line sets 48
Grid Iron Height 65’-0”
Battens fly out to: 61’-6”
Batten length 56’-0”
Arbor capacity 1600 lbs. max.
Total weight available 75,000 lbs. (5000 lbs. at deck level)
Drapes
Sets of Legs, flat (Black) 5
Sets of Borders, flat (Black) 5
Concert Traveler, 75% fullness (Burgundy) 1
Travelers, flat (Black) 2
Cyclorama (Sky Blue) 1
Scrim (Black) 1
Decorative House Curtain, guillotine only 1
Scenery Lift & Loading
Measuring 9’-5” x 24’-0” is located off-SL, serving all backstage levels. Mechanical spiral-type lift. Also used as off-SL wing space when not in use (16’-0” from proscenium). Surface is double-tempered Masonite and sprung surface, identical to stage floor.
Loading occurs at lowest level, off State Street through 12’-0” x 9’-0” coiling door directly onto lift. Ramp from truck to street can be provided; no curb exists at street level. Early morning/day Load-ins: maximum two trucks at door. Late load-out (Midnight or later): maximum four trucks at door. (See “Driving Directions” for details on location of loading door.)
Pit Lift/Stage Extension
Measuring 44’-0” x 12’-0” at its widest points. Mechanical spiral-type lift. Operational at three levels: a) 8’-9” below stage, as floor of orchestra pit for approx. 55 – 60 musicians; b) 3’-8” below stage at audience level, for additional seating; and c) at stage level, adding a maximum of 13’-6” to stage depth.
POWER: (all 208 volt)
Stage Right - 3 Phase / 400 amp (back wall)
Stage Left - 3 Phase / 200 amp / Isolated Ground (back wall)
Stage Left - 3 Phase / 400 amp (side wall)
SL Fly Floor - (2) (Shares with SL sidewall power-below)
Steel Grid - (1) 3 Phase / 100 amp (for rigging motors)
House - (1) 3 Phase / 100 amp (for rigging motors DS of proscenium)
Busses - (1) 200 amp disconnect w/ cam locks