A Standing Ovation for the Brown County Playhouse

How a historic Brown County institution found new life, new audiences, and a remarkable second act.

One of the things I love most about Brown County is that some of its greatest treasures don't necessarily announce themselves from the road.

The Brown County Playhouse is a perfect example.

From the sidewalk in downtown Nashville, it looks relatively modest. The building frontage isn't particularly large, and if you've never been inside, you might not think much of it as you walk by.

Then you step through the doors.

The entrance acts almost like a funnel, opening into a surprisingly large performance space seating more than 400 people. The stage extends into the audience, with seating wrapping around three sides, creating an intimate experience that feels far larger than the building's exterior suggests.

For more than 75 years, the Playhouse has been an important part of Brown County's cultural identity.

Many longtime residents remember its years as a respected theatrical venue, including its association with Indiana University's summer theater program. Over the decades, thousands of audience members have passed through its doors to enjoy performances, concerts, and community events.

Like many arts organizations, however, the Playhouse faced challenges during and after the COVID era. While federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant funding helped many theaters survive, the future of the Playhouse remained uncertain.

That's when a conversation changed everything.

At the time, I was doing branding and marketing work for the Playhouse. Through my friend Corey Flick, I was introduced to Bob McCutcheon—known to most simply as "McCutch."

McCutch had spent a remarkable career in the entertainment business, including influential years with Sunshine Promotions. When I first spoke with him by phone, he was helping build programming at Fishers' Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. He told me he felt he had accomplished much of what he set out to do there and was looking for one final challenge—one last opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

I thought of the Playhouse immediately.

I connected McCutch with then-board member Chuck Wills, who arranged a meeting with the Playhouse leadership.

The rest, as they say, is history.

As Programming Director, McCutch transformed the Playhouse's calendar and momentum. In his first year alone, he helped orchestrate an extraordinary number of sellout performances, bringing new energy, larger audiences, and renewed financial stability to the organization.

What impresses me most is that the Playhouse didn't abandon its roots while pursuing growth.

Today, audiences can experience an incredible mix of programming: nationally touring musicians, tribute acts, original artists, classic films, readers' theater productions, and outstanding local theatrical performances. Productions such as A Christmas Carol demonstrate the quality and dedication of the community talent that continues to make the Playhouse special.

One memorable evening for me was watching blues artist Tab Benoit absolutely light up the room. The energy was electric, and it was one more reminder that world-class entertainment can happen right here in Brown County.

The Brown County Playhouse is more than a theater.

It's a gathering place. A creative outlet. A community asset. A place where stories are told, music is shared, and neighbors come together.

And thanks to the efforts of many dedicated people—board members, volunteers, performers, supporters, and leaders like McCutch—it appears this historic institution still has many great acts left to come.

That's something worth applauding.