I sat down with Knoxville Children’s Theatre Executive Director Sien Moon to discuss KCT’s move into their new forever home at The Foundry on the Fair Site at 747 Worlds Fair Park Drive. When I asked Moon what she considers to be the most important work that the KCT team does, she described how her passion is more than just theatre; it’s changing children’s lives. Moon’s husband popped his head in for a quick hello and added his own take on that important work: “yeah, it’s changing children’s lives, but we are also in the business of smiles.”
An education-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, Knoxville Children’s Theatre’s mission is to “inspire creativity and passion in children through the creation of live theatre.” KCT is Knoxville’s only theatre targeted exclusively for children; where other organizations might cast child actors in a few productions as needed, KCT produces plays that are by and for children. Students design, manage, and produce every aspect of the ten shows they put on each season, from directing and casting to set and costume design. Typically, junior or senior students direct the productions, which usually involves an internship program that prepares them for this leadership role. Students ages 8–18 make up the rest of the artistic and technical team, developing skills in costume, set, and lighting design, acting, and stage management.
Artistic Director Dennis E. Perkins works closely with Knox County schools to curate each season, drawing works from Knox County reading lists that may include the likes of Shakespeare and Arthur Miller. With their principle’s permission, local students also have the opportunity to attend school day matinees to bolster their engagement with their school curriculum and to see their reading lists come to life onstage. Moon says that engagement with the dramatic arts outside of what is read in class makes a huge difference in student’s lives; studies conducted by higher education institutions have shown that involvement in the arts improves academic performance and standardized test scores. KCT provides numerous opportunities for students to engage with theatrical arts with professional mentorship and guidance, with much of their faculty and leadership coming from professional theatre backgrounds like Clarence Brown Theatre and The University of Tennessee’s Theatre program. Most importantly to KCT is that their programming be accessible to any and all local students who want to join their community; Moon ensures that no student or family pays a cent to be involved in any KCT production.
Their new home at the Foundry is their third location in the history of KCT since their founding in 2008 by the late Zach Allen. What began as a wandering troupe utilizing whatever venues they could book, Knoxville Children’s Theatre eventually landed at the space that now houses Remedy Coffee on Tyson Avenue in North Knoxville. In 2013 they moved into a location in the Happy Holler district in North Knox, and as of March of 2025 have moved into their current home at the Foundry. Situated along the railroad tracks off of World’s Fair Park Drive, the building was originally the site of the Knoxville Iron Company that produced railroad spikes and other metal products for the Louisville & Nashville rail line. The Foundry has seen many changes since its construction in 1865, from hosting Knoxville Iron Company to serving as a German-style pub during the World’s Fair in ‘82 as well as an event venue popular for weddings, corporate events, and holiday parties. It sat empty for many years between tenants and owners, until previous owner Marianne Green sold the Foundry to Knoxville Children’s Theatre for $4 million in February 2025.
In addition to providing opportunities for local students to engage in theatre arts both on and backstage, Knoxville Children’s Theatre also hosts Academy classes and camps for those interested in honing their skills in production and tech. They host their six-week-long Academies by season, starting in the spring and providing instruction on technical skills like set design and construction and costume design and sewing to performance classes including acting, improvisation, and voice and diction. Classes for the ongoing Fall Academy include “Tiny Thespians” geared toward ages 3–5, “Page to Stage” for ages 6–7, and two levels of acting courses both for ages 8–10 and 11+. While their previous location limited how long Knoxville Children’s Theatre could hold their academies, their new location will enable them to extend their academies into the winter months. The new venue also allows Knoxville Children’s Theater to offer course content that they weren’t able to before, such as music, choreography, and lighting design; they are now offering a second round of classes in the late evening to better sync with some parents’ work schedules. While KCT’s Academies do have a tuition of $195, scholarships are available to help with that cost.
While many students from Knoxville Children’s Theatre graduate to pursue higher education and training in theatrical arts, some are able to transfer their skills into other professions and programs. Moon notes that some of her graduates have gone on to pursue graphic design, public speaking, law, and other careers and college majors that one might not think are directly related to theatre. She believes that her students also learn important life skills through Knoxville Children’s Theatre, such as communication, collaboration, and presentation skills that are beneficial outside of the playhouse. Many students have found friendships, passions, and a community through KCT, sharing how the organization has changed their lives and taught them valuable lessons that they will carry with them as they move into college and adulthood.
Now settled into their new home, Knoxville Children’s Theatre is ready to move on to “The Next Stage,” their fundraising plan to update the interior and exterior of The Foundry. Two of the venue’s event spaces will be transformed into a main stage and a blackbox theatre able to welcome much larger audiences than before; there is also plenty of space for a designated rehearsal room, which Knoxville Children’s Theatre has had to go without in the past. They also plan to create a spacious designated lobby area with a box office to welcome guests and add green rooms and dressing rooms for their actresses and actors. The new venue also ensures that Knoxville Children’s Theatre’s Creative Dramatics Academy classes will be held in the same building as their productions, allowing students to work with and within the theatrical space. Moon noted that before, students would have to work outdoors to construct set elements and build props, weather permitting. Now, the lower floor of the Foundry provides five designated classrooms for all elements of the Academy’s educational programming. Fundraising efforts include opportunities to sponsor and “name” an area or feature of the venue; monetary pledges; and a gala, date to be announced, to meet their $12 million campaign goal.
With plenty of parking at the new venue, KCT has just wrapped up their production of The Hobbit and has three more productions left in the 2025 season: Winnie The Pooh (September 12–28), The Crucible (October 24–November 9), and a holiday production, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (December 5–21). They are also offering two more academy terms this year; Late Fall term will be held mid-October to mid-November, and Winter term dates and courses are to be announced. More information about their 2025 season, educational programming, and fundraising opportunities is available online at https://knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com/.
