New Studio Tenn theater unveiled with help of Kathie Lee Gifford, donors

Franklin’s professional theater company, Studio Tenn, is moving into The Factory at Franklin as part of the retail and event center's major makeover.

The move is happening, too, while the surrounding area is being explored as an arts and entertainment district.

The new location and operations for a permanent theater was announced Tuesday at The Factory. The performance venue will be named Turner Theater after major donor Cal Turner Jr., and the lobby will be named after Calvin and Marilyn LeHew. The LeHews' bought the factory decades ago when the complex was in disrepair and began the revitalization process to its current form as a shopping, retail and event space.

Kathie Lee Gifford, television personality and now Franklin resident, joined Turner, whose family founded Dollar General, and Calvin LeHew as speakers at the event.

Gifford talked about how much the theater and arts have meant to her, even as much of her career was built around simply being herself for decades on television. She was co-host of Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee for 15 years and later for a decade on the Today show with Hoda Kotb.

"People ask me now, 'How could you leave Regis at the height of its success. How could you leave Hoda and the Today Show at the height of its success? Your dream job?'" Gifford said. "I always say, 'You are assuming it was my dream job.' All my life, all I ever wanted to be an actress and a singer and a writer."

"I feel like I am new member of this beautiful place that I call home for the last four years," said Gifford about living and creating music and movies in Franklin.

Turner talked about how he's enjoyed the arts for much of his life and proud to help. LeHew said he was impressed with how The Factory has continued to evolve.

Also speaking was Patrick Cassidy, a longtime actor and singer from a family of actors, who has been the Studio Tenn new artistic director since 2020.

Studio Tenn and The Factory's future

Construction on the multimillion-dollar theater has begun with a target completion date of August.

Studio Tenn’s 2023-24 season begins in October. It will be the first time in the organization’s 14-year history that all of a season’s performances will take place in one location.

Turner Theater will seat 329 patrons, with adjustable seating based on the performance or event, and permanent lighting and professional-grade sound and acoustics. The theater will have the lobby, prominent box office, and dressing rooms, gathering areas, and a balcony.

Funding for the project began with the studio's “Make.Believe.” capital campaign, which seeks to raise $3.5 million for construction on and management of Turner Theater.

“This project has been years in development, halted by the pandemic and revived with guidance and partnership of Holladay Properties and so many other community leaders and Studio Tenn supporters,” said Tony McAlister, chairman of Studio Tenn’s board of directors. “A permanent, purpose-built theater is something we — and Franklin and arts enthusiasts throughout the region — have dreamt about for a long time."

All 10 buildings at The Factory, a 300,000 square-foot former stove factory, were purchased by Holladay Properties last year and are undergoing renovations. The work has included the nearly-complete refurbishing of the water tower, construction of a new “Grand Hall," new retailers and other additions.

More:Kathie Lee Gifford: 'I moved here because I was dying of loneliness'

More:The Factory in Franklin: Could revival and arts create new entertainment district?

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Studio Tenn theater company moving to The Factory at Franklin