about
WHAT WE DO
First Take Co. is an emerging production company, arts incubator, and professional development hub for multifaceted makers. We help artists who “do it all” make it happen.
Our work can currently be broken down into three major divisions:
CONCEPTS
Our expertise is ideas. From immersive entertainment experiences, to pop-up nightclubs, to film projects and beyond, we have the team and know-how to bring your vision to life. Born from our years studying and creating theatre across the world, we know how to turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary experience.
Recent concepts brought to life: THE JANE AUSTEN EXPERIENCE (’24) and BLESS HER HEART (releasing soon).
CONCERTS
We pride ourselves in being multi-disciplinary artists, capable of storytelling in a variety of media. Our flagship concert series, SCRUFFY CITY SINGS, had its inaugural residency at Pretentious Beer Co. in Knoxville’s Old City, raising money for our artist pay fund. Through our Guest Artist program, we featured three local musicians as primetime performers, developing their audience through shared stages.
Recent Scruffy City Sings concerts: Musical Theatre Mixer, American Jukebox, and Thursday Night Fever.
CONSULTING
Sometimes you have the project and the vision, but no time to execute. First Take Co. provides production management, literary management, talent booking, and creative consulting services to take the pressure off your project and let you get back to what’s important.
Recent consulting projects: CATO with UT English, CLIMATE CHANGE, LANGUAGE CHANGE with UT Philosophy
WHO WE ARE
First Take Co. was born from a simple need: we had a concept, and needed a way to bring it to life. There were no investors, no partnerships, no plan beyond an idea for a show and the drive to get it done.
Since then, we’ve grown into a collective of transient artists, devoted to proving our motto “excellence is everywhere.” We’ve traveled the US producing theatre and live events, and seen some of the greatest companies in the world bring life-changing experiences to major metropolitan areas.
We believe cutting-edge entertainment shouldn’t be relegated to New York, Los Angeles, or London.
The audience for these projects is everywhere. The talent to make them happen is everywhere. And now, through First Take, the ability to bring them to life is everywhere.
Because each concept requires a specialized team to bring it to life, the First Take crew is constantly adapting. Each project page contains a full list of collaborators.
What we believe
First Take is only as strong as the community that surrounds us. We believe the collective effort of creatives, artists, and grassroots movements are the key to a rich, thriving economy & culture. As part of our commitment to community, we are proud to be affiliated with the following organizations, in Knoxville and beyond.
Free Women Waltzing Club
We are also are active members of the following arts organizations in our hometown of Knoxville. Click the images below to learn more about each.
