The Jenny Boyd Theatre
The original Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre was an intimate, versatile 400 seat arena space, featuring flexible seating and staging. Located next to the Clarence Brown Theatre, Carousel Theatre was renamed in 1991 in tribute to Mrs. Doughty, a devoted patron who has provided for the building’s future.
The Jenny Boyd Theatre
A thrilling new chapter in Knoxville’s arts scene with the debut of The Jenny Boyd Theatre! This state-of-the-art, intimate venue brings audiences closer than ever to the heart of live performance, with cutting-edge technology enhancing every moment.
Whether you’re a longtime theatre lover or a first-time guest, The Jenny Boyd Theatre promises unforgettable experiences that will immerse, inspire, and ignite the imagination. You are among the first to view the seating chart for The Jenny Boyd Theatre. Questions? Call the CBT Box Office staff at (865) 974-5161, Tuesday through Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Join the Legacy
Join the legacy of the Carousel by helping us support the future of The Jenny Boyd Theatre today!
Campaign Committee Members
- Liz Stowers
- Margie Nichols
- Jan Simek
- Lyle Irish
- Christian Corts
- Cal MacLean
- Tom Cervone
Some History…
- The original Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre is the only theatre in the round in the Southeast
- It was unique in that it also has a circular stage
- Nearly 17,000 people attended the 1953 summer series
- Architect Frederick Roth donated his time and efforts as a “labor of love”
- Inspired by a tent and sawdust stage, the original outdoor theatre had seats for 300
- Structure was enclosed by the end of 1952
- By 1965 the theatre’s doors were open year round
A Career-Launching Venue for These Celebrities
- John Cullum – 2-time Tony Award Winner
- Carol Mayo Jenkins – Fame TV Series
- David Keith – An Officer and A Gentleman (Golden Globe Nominee)
- Dale Dickey – Hell or High Water, Winter’s Bone
- Conrad Ricamora – How to Get Away With Murder, The King and I (2015 Broadway Production)
- Tramell Tillman – The Godfather of Harlem, Dietland, Severance
The Jenny Boyd Theatre coming in 2026
“I thought it was the coolest building I’d ever been in, and I wanted to be an actor just like Annie.”
—Jenny Boyd, about her first visit to the Carousel Theatre on a school trip in the 1960s to see Annie Get Your Gun
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