Author: putnamcountyplayhouse

THEN AND NOW

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Putnam County Playhouse began in the spring of 1961. At that time a small group of determined people decided to bring live theatre to the community – and Greencastle Summer Theater was born. The next year, we were incorporated and officially became Putnam County Playhouse.

The purpose of PCPH then and now was set down by our founders:

We operate “to provide the people of the county and the surrounding area the opportunity to enjoy and participate in live theatre.”

A gazebo on our property honors those original members including the first president of our board of directors, Dr. James Elrod.

The Founders’ Gazebo

For the first two decades, PCPH presented shows in various venues around Greencastle. These included DePauw’s Speech Hall, McAnally Center, and DePauw’s Moore Theatre.  


In 1980, the hard work of a group of determined people headed by Jim Poor were instrumental in getting us the donation of the property where our theatre now stands. The generosity of Hazel Day Longden in giving us the property was key to our continued growth.

For our first two seasons on the property, our productions were given on the outdoor stage. The audience sat on bleachers. 

“The Sound of Music” – 1982

The small barn was used for many years for dressing rooms. It is now mainly used for storage, and the original stage area is now a parking area.


Small Barn.  June, 2015.

The theatre named in honor of Hazel Day Longden was given a grand opening in June, 1983. 

Hazel Day Longden Theatre. June, 2015.

Thanks to our audiences and participants for their continued support.


Since the beginning the PCPH Board of Directors has been all volunteer. Its members serve without compensation of any kind. To all of our past members and officers, we also give a hearty thank you!

2014-2015 Board of Directors

Michael McClaine, President
Jack Randall Earles, 1st Vice-President
Linda Gjesvold, 2nd Vice-President
Kathryn Dory, Secretary
Mark Hammer, Treasurer

Meghan Armitage
Bethany Bax
Dustin Bond
Drew Brattain
Caroline Good
Ric McFadden
Shelly McFadden
Jim Rambo
Sandra Rossok
Brad Sandy
TJ Tincher


Sign Up Now for “Stories Onstage” – The Children’s Theatre Workshop!

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JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL WORKSHOP!

Photo from 2014 Workshop
The Children’s Theatre Workshop for children grades 2nd-5th will be held daily July 20-24th  9:30-11:30am, with a culminating “work in progress” performance on Friday evening, July 24th  at 7:00pm in the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

Photo from 2014 workshop.

Click HERE to sign up online.

Photo from 2014 Workshop


The workshop is being sponsored by:

Click HERE to learn more about our sponsor.

The mission of the Children’s Theatre Workshop is bringing to young people the love of theatre, providing them a venue to explore their creativity, and allowing them to collaborate and express themselves on stage. 

Photo from 2014 workshop.

In addition to learning basic theatre skills and vocabulary, the performers will be given instruction in basic acting technique, movement and voice for the stage, character development, and how to work with an ensemble.   The actors will then apply these skills through theatre games and as they rehearse a short play.

Photo from 2014 workshop.

ROAD CLOSED AHEAD!

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If you are coming from the east and usually take U.S. 40 to S.R. 240 into Greencastle to get to us, there is an alternate route. S.R. 240 is currently closed.

The easiest alternate route is to continue on U.S. 40 for about six miles and turn right (north) at the stoplight on S.R. 231.

Coming into Greencastle, turn right at the first light which is U.S. Veterans Highway. After a four-way stop, turn left at the first turn bubble – Warren Drive.  Continue straight at the stop light and you will find Putnam County Playhouse on the right.

BAD SEED CAST ANNOUNCED!!!

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The cast for the July production of Bad Seed has been chosen. Thanks to everyone who auditioned.

The play will be produced July 9-11 and July 15-18. 

Tickets will be on sale at 5 p.m. on July 6.

Click HERE to read the Cast List!

Bad Seed is being sponsored by:

Click HERE to read more about our sponsor.


View From the Sky!

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Just in case you ever wondered…..here is a satellite photo of the Hazel Day Longden Theatre with the shop area and Rehearsal Center clearly in view. The small barn and parking areas are also visible.  The driveway to Round Barn Road is in the center of the picture.  Come and get a closer view this summer!

Step One: You Audition!!!!

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So you want to be onstage? The first thing you do is audition for a part in a show!  The audition dates for the Mainstage Productions at PCPH have been selected.

The musical 7 Brides for 7 Brothers directed by Shelly McFadden will hold its auditions on Sunday, March 29 at 3 p.m. and Monday, March 30 at 7 p.m. It will be produced June 4-6 and June 10-13.

Director Jack Randall Earles will audition performers for Bad Seed on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. and Monday May 18, at 7 p.m. The suspense play will be produced July 9-11 and July 15-18.

The auditions for the musical Into the Woods directed by Lee Reberger will be on Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m. and Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m. It will be produced August 6-8 and August 12-15.

The Game’s Afoot directed by Dustin Bond will have auditions on Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. and Monday, July 20 at 7 p.m. It will close our season September 10-12 and September 16-19.

Auditions will be held in the Rehearsal Center or in the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

More information and notes from the directors will be on the website in the next few weeks!  Stay tuned!




DIRECTORS CHOSEN FOR MAIN STAGE 2015!

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The directors for the main stage productions of the 2015 PCPH season have been chosen. 

The season opens in June with the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It will be directed by Shelly McFadden. She has directed many productions at PCPH including The Music Man and The Drowsy Chaperone,  Shelly has also appeared onstage, most recently in The Man Who Came to Dinner as Harriet Stanley. She has also appeared at PCPH in The Odd Couple, Man of La Mancha, and Clue The Musical.

The season continues in July with the thriller Bad Seed. Helming this production will be Jack Randall Earles. Among his PCPH directing credits are last season’s Guys & Dolls and also The Curious Savage, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, and Angel Street. Jack Randall most recently appeared in The Man Who Came to Dinner as Banjo and also has been in The Drowsy Chaperone, The Sunshine Boys, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Music Man.


The August musical, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, will be directed by Lee Reberger. He last appeared on the PCPH stage as Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone. Lee is the President of the Board of Directors of Community Theatre of Clay County. Lee has directed many plays and musicals at the Lark Theatre, home of CCTC in Brazil, Indiana. This will be his first directing assignment at PCPH, and we welcome him!

The 2015 season will close with the mystery-comedy The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays. The director of this production will be Dustin Bond.  He has been in many productions at PCPH, most recently appearing as Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors in 2014. Dustin has worked on the technical side of many productions. He has also appeared in Don’t Drink the Water, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Music Man among other productions. This will be his directorial debut at PCPH. He most recently directed A Christmas Carol at CCTC.

Audition dates and other show information will be available here on the website in early 2015!




DORY PREVAILS IN SWEATER COMPETITION!

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L-R: Michael McClaine, Katherine Dory. Photo by Shelly McFadden

The December meeting of the Board of Directors of Putnam County Playhouse was held December 7, 2014, at the home of President Michael McClaine and wife Brenda.  Members of the board assembled for food and lively conversation.


An ugly Christmas sweater competition was included!  Most of those attending participated.  By a show of hands, the two winners were chosen.  Runner-up was McClaine in a multi-Santa bedecked crew neck sweater with ribbed cuffs and waistband.  The winner was Kathryn Dory in deckle edged Christmas cardigan with a miasma of holiday knitted appliques – and shoulder pads.

Business was discussed, but attention was divided between Dory’s garish garb and the wonderful food that was provided.