Tennessee Theatre earns regional Emmy Award nomination for ‘Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change’
The Tennessee Theatre’s innovative series, “Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change,” has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award in the category of best cultural documentary. The winners will be announced at the 39th Annual Nashville/Midsouth Emmy Awards on Feb. 15.
“Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change” provides an opportunity for artists from marginalized and underserved communities to share their art with others, showcasing diverse voices and fostering cultural exchange within the arts community. The East Tennessee PBS documentary episodes take viewers behind the scenes of Tennessee Theatre’s iconic venue, exploring its commitment to providing a platform for underrepresented artists and amplifying marginalized voices in the entertainment industry.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition for ‘Pass the Mic’ and so proud to provide a space for audiences and artists to better understand one another,” said Becky Hancock, executive director of the Tennessee Theatre. “The series represents our hope to provide opportunities for new communities to experience the Tennessee Theatre, in addition to providing a stage for artists to share their craft.
“The documentary also highlights the ongoing work being done to create a more inclusive and equitable arts landscape. This nomination is a testament to the dedication of our entire team, our community partners and the incredible artists we work with.”
Big Slate Media, the production company behind “Pass the Mic,” shared in the excitement of the nomination.
“We are honored to have collaborated with the Tennessee Theatre to bring ‘Pass the Mic’ to life,” said Jonathan Halley, founder and executive producer at Big Slate Media. “This documentary is a powerful reflection of the transformative work being done in our community, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that work recognized on such a prestigious platform. The opportunity to tell these important stories was truly a privilege.”
The Emmy nomination reflects the growing recognition of the Theatre’s contributions to arts and culture in the region and demonstrates its desire to truly be a venue for all people.
“Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change” was produced with the goal of inspiring action, promoting dialogue and bringing awareness to the importance of representation in the arts, especially highlighting and partnering with artists that may experience systemic obstacles to greater commercial success.
The nominated episode – season two, episode three – features the talented Adeem the Artist and Autumn Nicholas, who discussed the challenges of navigating gender fluidity in the South through musical performances and candid conversations with Holly G of the Black Opry, comedian Brandi Augustus and Big Gay James with Knox Pride.
The sold-out 39th Annual Nashville/Midsouth Emmy Awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, and can be livestreamed at emmynashville.org. This year’s awards recognize excellence in television, film and digital content across a variety of genres and categories.
The Tennessee Theatre’s Emmy-nominated episode, and the entire series, can be watched at tennesseetheatre.com/education-and-outreach/pass-the-mic.
For more information about the Tennessee Theatre and “Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change,” visit tennesseetheatre.com/education-and-outreach or follow @passthemic_tn on social media.
