Barn Swallow Theatre

What began as a conversation between friends regarding a community theatre culminated in Barn Swallow Theatre in 1985.

    * One morning, at an after-church coffee, Ada Barr and Marjorie Federowski were talking and wondering if a community theatre could be established in Cass County.

    * A couple of months later Ada and Marj, along with Marge and Johnny Rodebush and Rachel Federowski, attended a performance at Enchanted Hills Playhouse in Syracuse, Indiana. On the way home, the idea of a local theatre was again discussed.

    * Johnny Rodebush, who was a Cass County Commissioner, said, "What about those two old barns behind the county services building on Hospital Street?"

    * On June 12, 1983, Marj Federowski, who was on the Cass County Board of Social Services, presented the idea to the board, and Johnny presented it to the Cass County Board of Commissioners.

    * In July of 1983, the articles of incorporation were drawn up by Robert Craig, a local attorney. There was a gathering of local people, and Carrie LaPorte was elected the first president.


After the articles of incorporation, the first Board of Governors was created in 1985. They were: Johnny Rodebush, John Gore, Pam Boepple, Armindo Mesko, Dr. Tom Rea, Marj Federowski, and Ada Barr, a local Ross Beatty High School English and Theatre teacher. In 1988, two more governors were added: Karen Current and Barbara Weeks. The first lease for the barn was written by Margeret Chiara, the Cass County Prosecuting Attorney at the time. Our most ardent supporter was Marian Ritter, who encouraged, cajoled, and helped expedite our process.