THEATRE BRISTOL AWARDED A TENNESSEE AMERICA 250 GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE COMMISSION FOR THE UNITED STATES SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL
GRANT FUNDING SUPPORTS US-AND TENNESSEE-BASED LIVE ON STAGE PRODUCTIONS FOR 2026 SEASON
Theatre Bristol is a recipient of a grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The grant award will be used to engage with the commemorations by inviting the community to an entirely US- and Tennessee-based season that is performed in a downtown historic Tennessee community known for its unique state line city and performed by the oldest continuing children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee.
The State of Tennessee made available funding to be administered by the Tennessee State Museum, on behalf of the Commission to support statewide America 250 activities.
Communities are commemorating the United States Semiquincentennial with events, festivals, and programs, such as Theatre Bristol’s 2026 season. Announced as a recipient of a Tennessee Commission Tennessee America 250 grant, Theatre Bristol was selected in a highly competitive process to inspire recognition of our nation’s past, present, and future. Theatre Bristol celebrates with all its season productions set in the United States, two productions that feature Tennessee’s unique stories and landmarks, and a free handy Theatre Bristol 250 Passport to “collect” all the shows.
In total, the Commission received 365 applications, totaling $6,364,017 in requests. The Commission has made full or partial awards for 194 grants across the state, representing 73 counties, for a total of $2,267,058 awarded. A complete list of second round Tennessee America 250 grantees, the counties and amounts is posted at www.tn250.com.
“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum and Chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “This year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals, and preservation of our local and state history. We hope that these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in 2026.”
Theatre Bristol’s entire season was designed just to celebrate the 250th anniversary, with all productions based in the USA and two productions that feature Tennessee’s unique stories and landmarks. Attendees can fill their Theatre Bristol Tennessee America 250 passports with stamps by attending shows and earning prizes.
With partner River’s Way, Theatre Bristol presents an original production “American TALL Tales” featuring the stories of Tennessee’s folk hero Davy Crockett and the story of the Cherokee strawberry, along with Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan.
Then based in North Brooklyn, Maine, Theatre Bristol presents “Charlotte’s Web” for three weekends at the Cameo Theatre.
In June, Northwest Chicago, specifically Rydell High School, is the setting for the musical “Grease” presented at the historic Paramount Center for the Arts.
The Fourth of July is celebrated by going to the third smallest town in Texas–Tuna, Texas–for the comedy, “Red, White and Tuna.”
In Bristol, Tennessee, the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings and Grand Ole Opry, as well as local sites, come to life in “The Mockingbird Sings” on the ARTspace stage in mid-September. From early Scotch-Irish influences to gospel and blues, the musical highlights the Carters, Jimmie Rodgers, Pops Stoneman, and more, with talented musicians, original scenery, and a captivating hero’s love story.
Through a COFA with the U.S., Bikini Bottom is the site of “The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition” presented in October at the Cameo Theatre.
For Halloween, Westport, Connecticut, is the scene of the crime, where the perils of sharing one’s script are evident in “Deathtrap” at the Cameo Theatre.
And one can only imagine what the holidays would be like without Bedford Falls, New York’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” the musical presented at the Paramount Center for the Arts in November and December.
Tickets for Theatre Bristol’s 61st Season Tennessee America 250 productions are available at www.theatrebristol.org.
About Theatre Bristol
Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a 61-year-old nonprofit community theatre located on historic State Street in downtown Bristol in both Tennessee and Virginia. Its dramas, comedies, and musical productions take place in the black box ARTspace theatre, the historic Cameo Theatre, and at the Paramount Center for the Arts.
About Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was legislatively established by Public Chapter 384 of the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019. The Assembly created the Commission to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Tennessee’s integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. For more information on Commission activities, please visit www.tn250.com.
About Tennessee State Museum
Celebrating its 88th Anniversary in 2025, the Tennessee State Museum, is the administrative attachment of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The Museum is located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. It is home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.