ABOUT THE PLAYHOUSE

The Paul Bunyan Playhouse is a non-equity professional summer stock company located in the historic Chief Theater in beautiful downtown Bemidji. Under the artistic direction of Jim Williams, it employs a wide range of talented actors from Bemidji, the Twin Cities, and all over the country. In continuous operation for over 65 years, it is truly a tradition to treasure for both area residents and tourists. 

The playhouse was started in 1951 by an impresario who brought in a troupe of New York actors for a season, but went broke in a month. This was long enough to hook Bemidji's citizens, who raised enough money to pay the actors' room and board while they performed the rest of the season's plays and to pay for their tickets home. Then, the town raised enough to pay for a season the next year, and the year after that. Now, the Paul Bunyan Playhouse is the longest continuously running summer stock theater company in Minnesota. Originally housed at Ruttgers Birchmont Lodge, next door to the birthplace of actress Jane Russell, the PBP is now in residence at the historic Chief Theatre in downtown Bemidji, where it has been since 1992.

photos courtesy of Zach Curtis (unless noted)