Month: July 2026

The Putnam County Playhouse “Shakespeared!” Youth Theatre Workshop is well underway working on two version of The Taming of the Shrew. Performances are open to the public on Friday, July 31st and August 1st at 7pm at the Putnam County Playhouse. Admission is $3 for adults, 12 and under are free.

The middle school group, directed by Eleanor Howard with John Reach assisting, are rehearsing their fun, farcical, and festive comedic version of the play set in the old Italian city of Padua. Miranda Brown, Samantha Funk, and Savannah Wolfe are designing costumes and gathering props, and Nicolette Blackledge will be coordinating the sound design. Directing the high school group in their 1960’s sassy version are David Johnson and Ellen Blackledge with Catherine Ryan-Shager as stage manager, Miranda Brown and Josie Tischer designing and coordinating costumes, Ella Tischer on props, and Nicolette Blackledge coordinating sound. Our Middle School cast includes Hadley Roderick as the title character, Kate, Avalyn Templeton as Petruchio, and rounding out the ensemble are Hollis Barcus, Anna Emmerich, Nola Foy, Lucas Gardner, Zoey Hagerott, Betsy Hatfield, Lenora Hazzard, Charlotte Jones, Millie Jones, Chloe Lane, Ella Marmulewicz, Elijah Neeley, Amber Pennington, Carson Squires, Clark Squires, Cece Wells, Molly West, Kya Williams, Aliana Wilson, and Tatum Wilson.

Our High School cast includes Josie Cox as Kate, Mikey Henry as Petruchio, and completing this talented ensemble are Rose Wood, Jacob Deakins, Alex Gurnon, Evelyn Ryan-Shager, Jeffrey Crabb, Gabriela Briceno, Savannah Wolfe, Mariah Hall, Syrci Abbott, Nicolette Blackledge, Breanna Huchel, Kendra Arruda, Demi Ontrop, Jewelee Butcher, Joeie Johnson, Alex Grayson, Iris Beck, Ashelyn Nugent, and Brooklyn Payne. Created by Caroline Good, the “Shakespeared!” Youth Theatre Workshop program is tailored to provide young players with an opportunity to engage with Shakespeare’s text in a fun way and to see the potential interpretations that lie within the text. Directors of each group devise their own unique versions of the play, all with creative input from their casts. Kids learn about acting, using their imaginations and voices, staging and movement, and that Shakespeare isn’t really scary at all.

The Putnam County Playhouse invites community members to audition for its upcoming production of Murder on the Orient Express, adapted by Ken Ludwig from the classic novel by Agatha Christie.

Audition Dates

• Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Director Dustin Bond and Assistant Director Vickie Paker are excited to bring this thrilling mystery to the Playhouse stage and are hoping for a wonderful turnout at both audition sessions. Auditions are open to performers of varying experience levels, and all are encouraged to attend.

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the luxurious Orient Express in its tracks. By morning, an American businessman lies dead in his compartment, stabbed multiple times. With the killer still aboard the train, the renowned detective Hercule Poirot must question the train’s eclectic passengers to uncover the truth before the murderer strikes again. Filled with unforgettable characters, clever twists, and suspense from beginning to end, Murder on the Orient Express is one of the greatest mystery stories ever told.

Performance Dates

• September 10–12
• September 16–19

This production is proudly sponsored by Scott and Sons Trucking.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, the Putnam County Playhouse welcomes you to become part of this exciting production. Come audition and help bring one of the world’s most beloved mysteries to life!

Putnam County Playhouse is delighted to present Noël Coward’s sophisticated comedy Private Lives, a sparkling tale of romance, wit, and second chances. Under the direction of Cameron Wunderlich, with Sandi Rossok serving as assistant director, this timeless comedy promises audiences an evening of laughter, clever banter, and unforgettable characters.

First performed in 1930, Private Lives centers on Amanda Prynne and Elyot Chase, a divorced couple who unexpectedly find themselves honeymooning with their new spouses at the same luxurious hotel on the French Riviera. Discovering that their rooms share an adjoining balcony, the former lovers soon rekindle their passionate—and volatile—relationship, leaving their bewildered new spouses to navigate the hilarious fallout. Filled with Noël Coward’s signature wit and sparkling dialogue, Private Lives remains one of the most beloved comedies in the theatrical canon.

Leading the cast are Ashton Kirton as Amanda Prynne and William Dory as Elyot Chase. They are joined by Kate Baughman as Sibyl Chase, Logan Dotson as Victor Prynne, and Becca George as Louise.

Bringing the production to life behind the scenes is Stage Manager Brandon Wunderlich, assisted by Randy Funk. Maggie Dory and Savannah Wolfe serve on the stage crew, while Jennifer Wunderlich is the props master. Caroline Good serves as dialect coach, and the set was designed by Linda Gjesvold and Cameron Wunderlich. Mark Wunderlich assisted with set construction alongside members of the production staff. Technical Director Dustin Bond oversees the production’s technical elements, with sound assistance provided by Ben South and Jack Randall Earles. Matt Ludlow serves as sound board operator, and costumes for the production are designed by Shelly McFadden.

Performances of Private Lives will be held July 9–11 and July 15–18 at Putnam County Playhouse. All performances begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and may be reserved by calling the box office at (765) 653-5880. The box office is open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.during the week of performances.

This production of Private Lives is proudly sponsored by Best Case Financial, whose generous support helps Putnam County Playhouse continue its tradition of bringing quality live theatre to the community.

With its sophisticated humor, memorable characters, and enduring observations about love and marriage, Private Lives continues to delight audiences nearly a century after its premiere. Putnam County Playhouse invites theatergoers to enjoy this classic comedy brought to life by a talented cast and dedicated production team.