The Clayton Center for the Arts recently unveiled its upcoming fall/spring performance season. During a reception held for patrons, sponsors and subscribers held in the Clayton Center’s lobby, Interim Executive Director Christy McDonald Slavick unveiled the slate of eight shows and concerts that will be presented on the Clayton Center stage each month, beginning with a special season preview performance by the famed Second City Improve comedy troupe on July 31. The line-up then picks up on a monthly basis on September 20 and continues through February 21.
While attendees enjoyed complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres, Slavick took the opportunity to recap the Clayton Center’s accomplishments.
“Since the Clayton opened in 2010, it has strived to be a place where our community of arts enthusiasts — patrons, students, children, and families — can consistently find high-quality performances close to home,” she said. “As we close our 2023-2024 Season, we remain fully committed to this vision and have worked tirelessly to steward this promise. We are a lucky community to have such a beautiful asset in our backyard.”
She then went on to credit several individuals and institutions for helping the Center achieve its objectives.
“First and foremost, we thank the college for its annual investment in us,” she continued. “We thank the Industrial Development Board, the City of Maryville, and City of Alcoa for investing in this fantastic project that brings so much joy to this community. We also recognize the CCA Advisory Board members for their investment in the success of the Center. We also thank our remarkable sponsors. Their contributions support our programming and provide exceptional opportunities to be recognized as an organization that supports the arts … DENSO, Russell and Abbott, West Chevrolet, Clayton, and Pinnacle Bank. “
Slavick also expressed her gratitude to the patrons who were present that evening. “We are most grateful for every single one of you in this room,” she said. “Thanks to those of you who donate to the theatre annually. Your contribution goes directly into the season’s programming. The Patrons Circle is the home for arts philanthropists. We gather before each season’s show, have a drink, and enjoy each other’s company. This group is important to the success of the CCA, and if you’re not a member, I encouraged to get involved.”
Finally, she took time to recognize the Center’s subscribers and asked those that have purchased season tickets for the past two, five, ten and 14 years to stand and be recognized. “We are grateful for your continued support of CCA. “
In addition, Slavick shared the Clayton Center’s three major objectives and commitments. The first, she said, was to serve the community with a wide range of high-quality performances.
“The 2023-2024 season filled the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre with theatre, concerts, dance, and stories, attracting over 5,500 people to our season shows,” Slavick said. “Additionally, we provided stages to our amazing partners like the Appalachian Ballet Company and Primary Players- hosting an event or a performance nearly as many evenings the theatre could be open!”
She said the second goal was to offer arts opportunities for East Tennessee young people. “We’ve provided a professional production and a stage for local school partners,” Slavick added. “We hosted the Very Young People’s Concert for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and hosted the ‘Synergy’ exhibit for young visual arts in partnership with the Dogwood Arts. This year, we’re excited to integrate professional theatre opportunities for our young audiences to build the next generation of arts enthusiasts. We’ve partnered with PBS Kids for summer programming, and we’ll have a special matinee performance of one of our season shows for young audiences and master classes for pre-professional artists.”
In addition, the Clayton Center will host viewings of films from the Tour of Independent Filmmakers, Southern Circuit.
The third objective is to support Maryville College students’ academic and professional development in the arts, Slavick said. “The Clayton Center for the Arts is home to the College’s Fine Arts Division, where our art, theatre, and music students come together to create and learn,” she continued. “We’ll be featuring all the performances from the Fine Arts on our website so I encourage you all to attend and see the wonderful work of Maryville College students. If you didn’t see Oliver this past season, you really missed out! It was excellent!”
Slavick then expressed her appreciation on behalf of the Center to all those in attendance. “This all happens on our stages and is an asset to the community because of all of you,” she added. “Thanks for coming to performances here and for supporting the arts.”
In addition to announcing the new programing, Slavick said the Center’s 14th season will be the last year where patrons will experience what she termed “business as usual.” She said that a brand new user-friendly website is being built and will soon be unveiled. In addition, events and programs will be added throughout the year and the community will be asked to offer input and feedback as to what is being presented.
Slavick then mentioned that March, 2025 will mark the beginning of the 15th year at the Clayton Center for the Arts. “So you’ll see that our season ends in February, in preparation for our anniversary year at the theatre,” she said. “This will mark the start of a new era for the CCA.”
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