The Renaissance Center

Doug Jackson, Executive Director of The Renaissance Center, in front of the Dream Mission shuttle.

A Message from our President

Even eight years after opening our doors, The Renaissance Center continues to grow and evolve with exciting new features and programs. To remain a world-class cultural and arts institution unlike any other, we are constantly responding to what our patrons would like to learn, hear, see and experience.

Each semester brings new classes in art, music, dance and theatre arts. Every school year brings new opportunities for educational and entertaining field trips. Our music and theatre programs are constantly presenting exciting choices in concerts, theatrical productions and entertainment and our Visual Arts Department presents a variety of gallery exhibits throughout the building feature established and new artists.

One of the most exciting developments in 2007 is the installation of the very latest technology available in our planetarium. The CyberSphere Digital Theater is a one-of-a-kind learning and entertainment venue that surpasses any similar offering anywhere in the world.

One of the largest planetariums in North America, the CyberSphere now features Digistar 3 technology. Manufactured by Evans and Sutherland in Salt Lake City, Utah, Digistar 3 is a state-of-the-art digital projection system that now enables us to present full-dome video programs. The entire hemisphere of the four-story dome is covered in a seamless video created by a system of six digital projectors.

Since its installation in spring 2007, Digistar 3 has opened a brand new world of planetarium shows in the CyberSphere. We now offer full-dome video programs for viewers of all ages. From magical journeys through space in a cardboard rocket to close-up looks at the surface of the sun, from inside a Category 5 hurricane to inside the tombs of ancient pharaohs, from inside the human body to the farthest reaches of the universe, from life forms on other planets to wildlife millions of years in the future, the new shows in the CyberSphere bring a host of wonders to be experienced like they never have before.

With more than 50 planetarium and laser music shows now available, the CyberSphere continues to be a popular experience for kids and adults whether on field trips or at one of our Saturday public shows.

The Gaslight Dinner Theatre, Renaissance Players, Mind Enriching Theatre series and Young Entertainers on Stage series continue to produce high-quality theatrical productions for your entertainment. From the classics to musicals, comedies to heart-warming dramas, you will not find a greater variety of theatre options anywhere else than at The Renaissance Center.

Our Multimedia Department continues to produce award-winning television productions such as Tennessee’s Wild Side, one of the best family outdoor adventures shows in the world. The skills and talents of our production staff attract artists from across the country to perform at The Renaissance Center because they know they can get a quality video production here.

The Renaissance Center continues to be a thriving home to educational and entertainment options. Check out the rest of our website and be sure to sign up for our mailing list so you can be kept up to date on what’s going on.

Check back frequently because there is always something new coming up at The Renaissance Center.

Doug Jackson
Executive Director