Knoxville Children’s Theatre presents, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) Reimagined by AI with Genuine Human Assistance from Dennis E. Perkins

Knoxville Children’s Theatre presents, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) Reimagined by AI with Genuine Human Assistance from Dennis E. Perkins
May 8 – 17, 2026 – Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.
Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 747 World’s Fair Park Drive

Knoxville Children’s Theatre, in partnership with Clayton Foundation, will present a live
production of R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) Reimagined by AI with Genuine Human Assistance from Dennis E. Perkins. KCT’s version is geared for ages 10 and up.

This play shows what happens when AI starts doing the creative thinking—and people slowly stop.
It’s based on a 1925 play by Karel Čapek (which introduced the word Robot) in which a powerful company
develops artificial workers designed to eliminate inefficiency, emotion, and human error. The system works—productivity increases, costs drop, and human labor becomes unnecessary. So the Robots take over. But as the system takes over more of the creative work, the humans begin to step back. They think less. Question less. Create less on their own. This idea connects directly to recent research which warns that heavy reliance on AI—especially by young people—can weaken critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. The play brings that concern to life on stage, showing what “letting AI think for us” actually looks like.

This production combines physical theatre, live technology, movement, voice, and ensemble storytelling to create a world that is precise, controlled, and gradually transformed.

Number of seats reserved for Penny4Arts: N/A
We stop giving out seats/admissions for Penny4Arts at: Day before the show
Open to students outside of Knox County: YES
Advanced reservations required: YES

You may receive up to three (3) free child admissions with the purchase of an adult ticket. Please redeem online at knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com. Enter the following coupon code when ordering on the website: RURPENNY. Please purchase one child ticket with your order and input the code. Please make a note in the comments section how many total child tickets you need. Child tickets will be held for you at the box office. You must purchase at least one adult ticket for the coupon code to work. This offer must be redeemed online prior to the performance and is not available for walk-up sales at the venue the afternoon or evening of the performance. 

For further information, please contact: Sien Moon
Contact phone:(865)208-3677
Contact e-mail: info@knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com
Date(s): May 8-17th Time(s): Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 pm, Saturdays at 1 & 5 pm and Sundays at 3 pm
Name and address of event location: Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 747 World’s Fair Park Drive
Website link for more information: www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com