Fisher Center Wins National Event of the Year Award for World Premiere of ‘DOLLY'

Belmont venue honored after 49-show world premiere run sold 77,000 tickets and drew audiences from all 50 states

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 11, 2026) — Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts received the PACnet ‘26 Spotlight Event of the Year Award for hosting the 49-show world premiere run of “DOLLY: A True Original Musical,” which sold more than 77,000 tickets and drew audiences from all 50 states.

Presented at the PACnet ’26 Conference, the award recognizes standout events across the live entertainment and performing arts industry. The Fisher Center’s production of “DOLLY” was recognized for its ambitious scale, rapid ticketing timeline and successful execution of a high-demand premiere run.

“This recognition affirms what we believe the Fisher Center can be: a place where ambitious new productions can premiere and connect with audiences from across the country,” said Gage Baxter, managing director of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. “The response to ‘DOLLY: A True Original Musical’ showed how powerful it is to launch a project like this in Nashville.”

The musical’s world premiere included 49 performances and sold more than 77,000 tickets, drawing buyers from all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The premiere required close coordination between the Fisher Center team, ticketing provider Paciolan, box office operations and the musical’s production team. Ticketing for the initial 34 performances launched on a compressed timeline, with 15 additional shows later added due to overwhelming demand and a two-week extension of the run.

Nearly one million patrons were contacted at on-sale, driving substantial system traffic and positioning the production as one of the most in-demand theatrical events staged at the Fisher Center since its opening.

Staged in Nashville — Dolly Parton’s home state and the heart of the music industry — the production brought thousands of visitors to Belmont’s campus and highlighted the Fisher Center as a destination for major theatrical premieres.

The award also underscores Belmont’s growing influence in Nashville’s entertainment landscape. Located in the heart of Music Row, the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts has become a hub for touring productions, concerts and new works — while also providing Belmont students with real-world experience alongside industry professionals.

About Belmont University

Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of nearly 9,000 students who come from every state and 33 countries. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach as well as its commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont’s mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and eight doctoral degrees, Belmont University aims to be the leading Christ-centered university in the world, producing leaders who will radically champion the pursuit of life abundant for all people. For more information, visit http://www.belmont.edu.

###

Learn More

Visit the Fisher Center

Fisher Center for the Performing Arts