At Knoxville Children’s Theatre, the kids are not just hitting their marks; they are running the whole operation. Fresh off a move into a larger home at the Foundry near World’s Fair Park, the company is kicking off its summer musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, on June 5, with the show running through June 21 in a mix of matinees and evening performances. Students, many 18 and younger, are steering key parts of the production, from directing and lighting to set construction, turning rehearsals into a working classroom as much as a stage.
Kids In Charge, Onstage And Off
The theatre leans hard into its “by children, for children” mission, with students taking leadership roles across every show. As outlined by Knoxville Children's Theatre, young performers are paired with professional mentors, and the organization aims to keep participation free for any child who wants in. The setup is meant to teach real-world skills as much as stagecraft, with kids picking up everything from project management basics to the finer points of lighting design while they bring each production to life.
A Foundry Fit For Bigger Productions
The company bought the long-running Foundry event hall at 747 World’s Fair Park Drive in early 2025 and completed its move into the building that spring, a purchase local outlets reported at about $4 million. The site came with multiple performance spaces, dressing rooms, a scene shop and storage for props and costumes, which gives Knoxville Children’s Theatre room to run classes and productions at the same time. The group has also launched its "Next Stage" capital campaign to fund new classrooms and upgraded stages, according to reporting by Arts Knoxville and coverage of the Next Stage capital campaign.
Summer Musical Puts Kids Center Stage
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is slated for evening and matinee shows throughout its June 5-21 run, with tickets and showtimes listed on the theatre's box office page. The schedule on the company website shows multiple weekend matinees and ticket prices in the $14 to $18 range. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that many cast and crew members are students who also stepped into directing and design duties. One young actor, Desmond Gondo, put it bluntly, saying, “I chose theatre because sports isn't my thing.” For anyone looking to grab a seat, Knoxville Children's Theatre lists the full run of dates and ticketing details.
Education And Access
KCT’s Academy runs seasonal terms and camps that cover improv, musical theatre, technical theatre, and Shakespeare, with the new Foundry footprint expected to open the door to more classes. Arts Knoxville has noted that Academy sessions have historically cost around $195, with scholarship support available, and reported that the Next Stage campaign is meant to underwrite classrooms and rehearsal space so those fees stay modest. Organizers say the goal is straightforward: keep drama education within reach so students from across Knox County can gain practical skills while working inside full-scale productions.
With roughly ten productions a year and an expanding slate of Academy offerings, Knoxville Children’s Theatre is carving out a role as a year-round training ground for young performers and backstage pros. Community leaders and educators argue that its permanent downtown home, combined with hands-on instruction, could significantly widen arts access for kids across the region, a point underscored in recent coverage by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
