River & Rail Theatre Company is closer to taking center stage at its future home inside a historic Knoxville mansion following a $5 million donation from the Boyd Foundation and the Boyd family.
The gift brings River & Rail's fundraising total to $5.5 million of its $7.5 million campaign to convert the century-old Sterchi-Audigier mansion at 2651 E. Magnolia Ave. into its new home, according to a news release from the local theater company. River & Rail - which previously operated out of the Old City Performing Arts Center - is aiming to start construction in February in order to open in spring 2028.
“We are deeply honored to receive this gift from the Boyd family, whose giving reflects a lasting commitment to making Knoxville the best midsize
city in the country," founding artistic director Joshua Peterson said in the release. "We are thrilled that they share our vision for a world-class arts complex in East Knoxville on Magnolia Avenue."
Jenny Boyd, one of the Boyd Foundation's five board members, was raised in East Knoxville and said the area holds a special place in her heart. As a performance artist who plays multiple instruments, she also appreciates the role River & Rail plays in Knoxville's arts community.
"The quality of their shows is unsurpassed,” she said in the release. “I hope through their productions that many adults and children will be able to experience live theater in their very own neighborhood. We are excited for River and Rail to be a part of East Knoxville!”
River & Rail launched more than a decade ago and hopes to continue telling stories in Knoxville from its new home.
"Theater has power. Stories have power to shape lives and even communities," Peterson told Knox News in 2020. "Its greatest power is when people from different backgrounds, different economic backgrounds … fit in a room together and experience the stories."
The Sterchi-Audigier mansion is being renovated to increase River & Rail's seating capacity from 140 to 240 while adding a rehearsal studio, dressing rooms, green rooms and a lobby with a full bar. The building is in the Park City neighborhood, just past the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Cherry Street.
The $5 million donation is comprised of $3 million from the Boyd Foundation, $500,000 from Harrison Boyd and $500,000 from Thomas and Lindsey Boyd.
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Boyd Foundation gives $5M for a theater in this historic Knoxville mansion
