GET SHAKESPEARED!!!

Applications for the 2016 session of SHAKESPEARED are now available.  You can read all about the workshop on the Drop Down Menu on the website under "Workshops." This year, the Shakespeare play being produced is Julius Caesar.

The electronic application can be filled out HERE.

Applications for the Youth Theatre Workshop will be available in June.

Details for 2016!

Click the CURRENT SEASON tab at the top of the page on our website for more details  on our Mainstage shows.

Information and applications for SHAKESPEARED! and the Children's Workshop will be available after May 1.

BARN GETS A FACELIFT!

Barn in 1981

In 1981, Hazel Day Longden made a gift to Putnam County Playhouse of property on Round Barn Road that included two barns. For two seasons, shows were presented on an outdoor stage in front of the small barn.  In 1983, renovations were completed on the big barn - and the Hazel Day Longden Theatre was dedicated.

Hazel Day Longden and then PCPH President Jim Poor on June 4, 1983, dedication.

Since then, the stage in the auditorium has held more than 800 performances of 128+ productions.  This off-season, the stage was renovated so that the tradition can continue.

The stage & prescenium

After all of those performances plus countless rehearsals and meetings, the stage was rebuilt and strengthened.  The proscenium was also enlarged so that set building could be facilitated.  It was raised about two feet and squared off so that the opening would be more "plum" for building sets.

Risers and seating area

The risers that hold the seats were also repainted for the first time since 1983!

The "new" stage.

Since the building of the new Rehearsal Center in 2007, the small barn has been used for storage of flats, large properties, and set pieces.  The past couple of seasons, there has been a problem with rain and other water coming into the building.  A concrete wall and raising of the front entrance doors will solve this problem.

Small barn front entrance

As we get ready for our 2016 season, we are happy to keep improving our physical space and making it better for our participants and our patrons!

Renovation photos by Linda Gjesvold.

HISTORY IN PICTURES!!!

Last year, Jim Poor donated many photos and documents from his years of participation at Putnam County Playhouse to us.  We thought we would share a few of them with our readers.  Jim has been active at PCPH since 1962.  He is a long-time board member, and he also served as President of the board for many terms.

Jim gave us many scores and scripts from plays and musicals he was involved in over the years. Interesting newspaper articles and meeting minutes illuminate the early years of PCPH.

Lois Martin, Jim Poor. 1965 "Come Blow Your Horn"

After organizing in 1961 as Greencastle Summer Theater, the group presented its first full production Blithe Spirit in July, 1962.

As Jim wrote in his history of PCPH published in the Banner-Graphic in 2011 - "We were off and running."

Tracy Alig & Hugh Glick in "Blithe Spirit."

Another popular show presented during those early seasons (at the old Jr. High School Auditorium) was Thornton Wilder's Our Town in 1963.

Ray Mizer as he Narrator.

Reed Williams & Sue Nickerson

The comedy Kiss and Tell was also popular with early Putnam County Playhouse audiences.

Top Row: Ray Brush, Frank Livernoche, Jim Bunnell, Reed Williams (below) and Ray Mizer.

Bottom Row: Dorothy Lowdermilk, Nancy Bordon, Larry Creech, Virginia Robbins, Sue Nickerson, John Bergman

Reed Williams & Sue Nickerson

Musicals were also a big part of the program for PCPH in the early years.  Jim appeared twice as Billis in South Pacific.

Jim Poor as Luther Billis in his grass skirt.

Pete Hill, Charley Aker & Unidentified working on music.

In 1981, Putnam County Playhouse moved to its current location.  While the board raised the funds to convert the larger barn into a theatre, they presented shows on the outdoor stage.  That stage was located in front of the small barn. Audiences paid $3 per ticket and sat on bleachers to enjoy the show.

Jim gives the curtain speech before a September, 1981, performance of "Mary ,Mary."

Longtime PCPH Treasurer Don Holley sells tickets circa 1981.

Refreshments were sold inside the Big Barn.

Marc Adams, Ann (Cooper) Swanson, Bill Cook in "Mary, Mary" - September, 1981

Cast member Joetta Milligan and Director Judy Huter check out the stage before a performance of "Dial M for Murder" in September, 1982.

Thanks, Jim for sharing these photos with us.  We've come a long way!  The history and the story of Putnam County Playhouse is all about the people who have been with us along the way.

We encourage everyone to come out and get involved with us during our 2016 season.  Watch this website and our Facebook pages for opportunities.