The Putnam County Playhouse was first established as Greencastle Summer Theatre in late 1961. Its first two productions, Blithe Spirit and Kiss and Tell were presented at the Junior High Auditorium. The organization was incorporated in 1963 as Putnam County Playhouse. The motto then and now remains the same. "The purpose of this organization is to give the people of the county and the surrounding area the opportunity to participate in and enjoy live theatre." Putnam County Playhouse presented its program in various venues around Greencastle for the next couple of decades.
In 1981, Mr. Hazel Day Longden made a gift of property and two barns on Round Barn Road to PCPH. For two seasons, Playhouse productions were presented on an outdoor stage on the property with the audiences seated on bleachers. With the great support of the community of Greencastle, thousands of volunteer hours, and many individual donations, the Hazel Day Longden Theatre was dedicated and opened on June 4, 1983.
Since that time, Putnam County Playhouse has presented a program of four productions each summer from June until September. A Youth Theatre Workshop has also been established for the younger people in the community who wish to participate. Putnam County Playhouse has produced over 100 main-stage productions seen by over 171,500 people.
These productions have given local performers, musicians, and technicians opportunities to practice their craft. All participants are volunteers. With the support of local businesses, community leaders, service organizations, and schools, Putnam County Playhouse and its Board of Directors pledge to continue to provide these same opportunities to those in the county and the surrounding area.
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