Roxy finds new home on Public Square while Clarksville plans Performing Arts Center | PHOTOS

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Roxy Regional Theatre has moved out of its longtime home on Franklin Street as the city prepares to redevelop the original building into the Clarksville Performing Arts Center.

The theatre will operate out of 114 Public Square throughout the duration of the project. City officials say the Performing Arts Center remains in the planning phase. “We are still working through design and budgets for the new building,” Mayor Joe Pitts told Clarksville Now.

Roxy Artistic Director Emily Ruck said construction is projected to begin this fall. “As of right now, the Performing Arts Center is slated to take two years of construction and open in fall 2028,” Ruck said. “So we should be here (in the temporary home on Public Square) until then.”

“We felt it was a good time to just take the leap,” she said of the transition.

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As previously reported by Clarksville Now, architects told the Common Design Review Board last year that the nearly 80-year-old structure no longer meets modern building, accessibility or safety standards. They cited outdate mechanical systems, hazardous materials and limited ADA access.

Plans call for tearing down the existing building and rebuilding the familiar “yellow box” facade and marquee in a modern design built to last for decades.

More intimate theatre experience on Public Square

The temporary Public Square location seats 74 people, which is roughly half the capacity of the Roxy’s former auditorium.

Ruck described the new space as “very intimate,” noting that productions for now will rely more heavily on single-set designs. The set up also changes how audiences experience performances. “The main change for us, as well as for audiences, is that we’re not going to be able to admit people late to the show because of the nature of the space,” she said. “You walk in and you’re there.”

Despite the smaller venue, Ruck said the move allows the theatre to continue producing shows while remaining active downtown.

Community programming continues at Roxy

Ruck said the Roxy hopes to introduce new community-focused events at the Public Square location, like karaoke nights. “We want to help people feel like it’s their space too,” she said.

Existing programs will continue, including the Roxy School of Arts, which meets on Saturdays. It will run from Jan. 17 through May 9, with registration closing Jan. 16 at noon.

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Looking ahead, Ruck said the Performing Arts Center will allow the theatre to expand its educational classes. “My hope is that we can have more classes throughout the week and have adult classes,” she said. “And expand on technical classes.”

What Performing Arts Center will bring

Ruck said the upgrades for the Performing Arts Center will help the Roxy expand the scope of what it can offer. “We’ve been very limited with what we can actually do,” she said.

The new space is expected to allow for additional outside rentals and performances that require more advanced technical elements or larger staging. “The variety of performances and entertainment that will be readily available to the city and the community is just going to explode,” Ruck said. “It’s the community’s space.”

Upcoming shows at Public Square location

The Roxy will kick off its residency at Public Square with The Vagina Monologues, returning for its 23rd year. The production features monologues based on interviews with approximately 200 women and highlights their lived experiences. “There’s at least one line – if not one monologue – that will resonate with you from the show,” Ruck said.

The Diary of Anne Frank will debut next month, running Feb. 13-22. Four school performances are booked to align with the school curriculum. “That’s probably the most important thing we do,” Ruck said.

More upcoming performances can be found on the Roxy Regional Theatre website.

Looking ahead to Roxy at Performing Arts Center

Ruck said the Performing Arts Center will be operated by the Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority. The Roxy will serve as the “anchor tenant,” acting as the primary resident theatre company once the center opens. “We’ll have the ability and the opportunity to be able to offer more for the city, the community, and the youth,” she said. “We’ll also be taking on more responsibility.

“I think even more so all eyes will be on us to see what we do,” Ruck added. “The only thing I can hope is that we make Clarksville proud.”

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