Bill Paxson

Bill Paxson joined the TCP Board of Directors in August 2024, stepping into the role of Artistic Director after performing in two productions and directing one. His journey into theatre began unexpectedly when a little old lady cleverly convinced him to attend an acting workshop—an experience that sparked a passion for the stage.

One of Bill’s favorite productions to perform in was The 39 Steps, a fast-paced, comedic take on a Hitchcock classic, where four actors juggle a hundred roles. Now, as TCP’s Artistic Director, Bill is dedicated to elevating the quality of the theatre’s productions and strengthening its reputation in the greater Knoxville area.

A retired Los Angeles police officer, Bill has returned to his roots—his father was a college theatre professor—and found a new sense of purpose in retirement through the arts. He lives by two favorite theatre quotes: Shakespeare’s timeless advice, “To thine own self be true,” and his father’s mantra, “Theatre problems are fun problems.” 

Outside the theatre, Bill enjoys motorcycling, softball, and pickleball. He dreams of someday playing Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, two larger-than-life characters that have always resonated with him. Though he once feared public speaking, his time in ToastMasters helped him overcome that hesitation—proof that theatre, in many ways, is transformative.