Cumberland County Playhouse: A Season of Small-Town America, Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Cumberland County, the heritage and traditions of the Cumberlands

Forty-three years ago, when 100 schoolkids, with teachers, parents and the Cumberland County Schools behind the scenes, performed a junior high school musical in 1963, they knew they were having fun, but probably didn’t realize their show would have a great impact on tourism, the economy, and the future of Cumberland County.

When 125 Cumberland Countians, and hundreds more behind the scenes, opened Paul Crabtree's Tennessee, USA! and the Playhouse in 1965, they had fun and hoped it would help the community, but didn’t know what the future would bring.

Well, that future is today. And we can see the impact of the Playhouse on our community and economy. Each year, the Playhouse generates 175,000 visits per year—Tennessee’s largest nonprofit performing arts audience (larger than the big groups and centers in Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis); over 50,000 visits by Cumberland Countians, for shows, classes and volunteer sessions (that’s equal to our county’s total population); $10 to $12 million in economic impact by the Playhouse and its customers at hotels, restaurants, shopping outlets, resorts, production suppliers, and real estate sales; over $500,000 in direct tax revenues to city, county and state; and the priceless value of the joy, education, self-confidence and fulfillment experienced by thousands of local area kids, adults, seniors, church groups, schools and families, as they participate in and attend Playhouse projects.

To everyone who helps serve our audience, with meals, lodging, gas, shopping, services, fun, directions, real estate,
and a hometown welcome. Thank you for being a part of our great home community—for helping develop and serve Tennessee's largest non-profit performing arts audience..

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