February 22, 2025
Dear Bemidji,
The past months have tested the Paul Bunyan Playhouse in ways we never could have anticipated. As a newly formed board, we stepped into a legacy of theater and storytelling fueled by passion and purpose. Yet, we quickly realized that passion alone cannot repair the deep fractures—both structural and financial—that threaten the very foundation of our beloved theater.
After exhaustive deliberation, we have arrived at a sobering truth: the current path is unsustainable. The walls of the Chief Theater have stood for decades, bearing witness to countless performances, laughter, and applause, but now, they bear the weight of time and neglect. Without decisive action, we risk losing not only a stage but a cornerstone of Bemidji’s artistic identity.
And so, with the heaviest of hearts, we must make an incredibly difficult decision—one no Board of Directors before us has dared to face. We must suspend the current season.
This is not an ending. It is a necessary pause.
For every artist who has stood under our lights, for every audience member who has been moved to tears or laughter, for every dreamer who has stepped onto our stage for the first time—we are not walking away. We are not giving up. Instead, we are choosing to fight for the longevity of the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and the Chief Theater. We are choosing to rebuild.
This time will not be wasted. It will be spent securing the future, ensuring that what we cherish today will still stand tomorrow. It will be spent preserving the space that has shaped generations of performers and theatergoers alike. The work ahead will be arduous, but it is work worth doing—because Bemidji deserves a theater that thrives, not merely survives.
To our community, our patrons, our artists, and our supporters—you are the heartbeat of this institution. We ask for your patience, your faith, and your belief that together, we can restore what has been entrusted to us. We will be back, stronger and more steadfast than ever.
Because the show must—and will—go on.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us by messaging our Facebook page or emailing us at [email protected].
Thank you from the Paul Bunyan Playhouse Board of Directors.
“Theater is a verb before it is a noun, an act before it is a place.”
- Martha Graham
The past months have tested the Paul Bunyan Playhouse in ways we never could have anticipated. As a newly formed board, we stepped into a legacy of theater and storytelling fueled by passion and purpose. Yet, we quickly realized that passion alone cannot repair the deep fractures—both structural and financial—that threaten the very foundation of our beloved theater.
After exhaustive deliberation, we have arrived at a sobering truth: the current path is unsustainable. The walls of the Chief Theater have stood for decades, bearing witness to countless performances, laughter, and applause, but now, they bear the weight of time and neglect. Without decisive action, we risk losing not only a stage but a cornerstone of Bemidji’s artistic identity.
And so, with the heaviest of hearts, we must make an incredibly difficult decision—one no Board of Directors before us has dared to face. We must suspend the current season.
This is not an ending. It is a necessary pause.
For every artist who has stood under our lights, for every audience member who has been moved to tears or laughter, for every dreamer who has stepped onto our stage for the first time—we are not walking away. We are not giving up. Instead, we are choosing to fight for the longevity of the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and the Chief Theater. We are choosing to rebuild.
This time will not be wasted. It will be spent securing the future, ensuring that what we cherish today will still stand tomorrow. It will be spent preserving the space that has shaped generations of performers and theatergoers alike. The work ahead will be arduous, but it is work worth doing—because Bemidji deserves a theater that thrives, not merely survives.
To our community, our patrons, our artists, and our supporters—you are the heartbeat of this institution. We ask for your patience, your faith, and your belief that together, we can restore what has been entrusted to us. We will be back, stronger and more steadfast than ever.
Because the show must—and will—go on.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us by messaging our Facebook page or emailing us at [email protected].
Thank you from the Paul Bunyan Playhouse Board of Directors.
“Theater is a verb before it is a noun, an act before it is a place.”
- Martha Graham
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
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Help Support the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and The Historic Chief Theater Donate Today!
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We are located in scenic downtown Bemidji, just around the corner from the lakefront with the famous statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox! |
Contact Us
Location: 314 Beltrami Ave. / Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-751-7270
Email: [email protected]
Location: 314 Beltrami Ave. / Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-751-7270
Email: [email protected]