Tennessee Theatre’s Pass the Mic
about
Creating a Stage for Change
The Historic Tennessee Theatre is an East Tennessee icon, known for hosting world-class performances in a historic, beautifully restored setting. However, in 2022, the Theatre sought to go beyond entertainment to create a platform that amplified underrepresented voices, challenged its audiences, and fostered cultural dialogue.
That vision sparked Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change, a series dedicated to providing artists from marginalized and underserved communities the space to share their stories, art, and perspectives on the Tennessee Theatre stage.
Turning Vision into Action
The Tennessee Theatre approached us with the initial idea for video content featuring marginalized artists sharing their stories at the Theatre. Together, along with input from a community advisory group, we developed it into a powerful, multi-episode series that would live far beyond the stage.
Envisioned initially as full-length episodes combining interviews, concert footage, and community events, the series evolved during production. We quickly realized we had captured so many powerful stories and performances that we could begin editing additional cutdowns for YouTube and social media. This allowed us to maximize the reach and impact of every artist’s voice.
From pre-production planning to final post-production polish, our team helped shape a program designed to inspire action and deepen community understanding.
The episodes combined live performances and intimate interviews filmed inside the historic Tennessee Theatre. We adopted a rich, warm visual style using thoughtful lighting and vérité-style camera movement to capture the grandeur of the space while maintaining an intimate, personal focus on each artist.
Narratively, we prioritized authenticity above all. Rather than imposing a predetermined story, we encouraged artists to lead the conversation, guided by open-ended questions from host Holly G. of the Black Opry, who navigated sensitive topics with care and self-awareness.
The Numbers Behind the Scenes
- Total Episodes: 7
- Total Production Days: 16
- YouTube and Social Cutdowns: 20 (and counting)
- Artists Featured: Joy Clark, Autumn Nicholas, Jennah Bell, Nikki Morgan, Roberta Lea, Chapel Hart, Bettye LaVette, Danielle Ponder, Las Cafeteras, Making Movies, Adia Victoria, Chris Pierce, Sunny War, Buffalo Nichols, Adeem the Artist, Joy Oladokun, Shayla McDaniel, W. James Taylor, Brandi Augustus, Aysanabee, Raye Zaragoza
Unique Challenges:
Each shoot demanded a delicate balance between technical excellence and emotional sensitivity. We navigated complex social topics, developed careful lighting setups (including lighting six-person interviews with the Theatre in the background without visible rigs), and managed long 14-hour days with up to eight cameras rolling. Post-production required extra care to maintain the organic and authentic feel of the stories while delivering clear and concise edits.
The Results: Stories that Resonate
Pass the Mic has made waves not just locally but across the region. The series aired on East Tennessee PBS and continues to be available online, broadening its reach far beyond the Theatre’s walls.
In 2025, Season 2, Episode 3 featuring Adeem the Artist and Autumn Nicholas was nominated for Best Documentary – Cultural at the 39th Annual Nashville/Midsouth Emmy Awards. This recognition highlights the series’ impact and the importance of creating platforms for underrepresented stories.
The series also sparked community conversations, invited new audiences into the Theatre, and strengthened partnerships with local and national arts organizations.
When You Listen, Change Happens
Pass the Mic invites audiences to listen, learn, and engage on a deeper level. By giving artists the freedom to tell their own stories and investing in high-quality, thoughtful production, we, along with the Tennessee Theatre, transformed a series into a powerful platform for connection and community impact.
It’s a reminder that real change begins with creating space for honest perspectives and stories. By amplifying raw, personal experiences, Pass the Mic took an important step toward fostering understanding and encouraging meaningful dialogue—the first, and often hardest, hurdle of lasting change.