Cutter Theatre

Who We Are:

The Cutter Theater, located in the small(pop. 225) isolated town of Metaline Falls, is a non-profit Cultural Center founded in 1968 to "develop appreciation and understanding of performing arts in our community. "This mission has since been expanded to include visual arts and humanities. The Cutter Theatre believes that art transcends communication barriers of race, religion, sex, national origin, handicap and age to minister directly to each person's inner needs.

Our Goals:

Preserve the arts
Present the best quality of performing arts.
Educate young theater students in the skills necessary
Present high-quality arts at a price our economically-depressed audience can afford.
Provide art opportunities that entertain, educate and inspire both audience and artist.
Provide a facility where our community can celebrate its culture and experience other cultures.

Our History:

The Cutter Theater began in 1968 when a local businessman asked some local people to put on a play. The group continued one-play-per-year operation for many years, putting on a musical during the community Down River Days celebration in the high school gymnasium or an occasional play at a local restaurant. In 1987 the long process of obtaining federal 501(c)(3) and state non - profit status began, including the election of officers and board members and the composition of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. In 1991, the theater finally came home by purchasing the historic Metaline Falls School a 30,000 square foot, three-story brick building designed by renowned architect Kirtland Cutter. With lots of help from local volunteers, individual and business donations and corporate, county, state and federal grants the long-vacant 1912 school has been converted to a Community and Cultural Center without peer.

Since its opening in September, 1991, The Cutter has averaged 22 different events per year in its new facility.  In addition to its arts and humanities programs The Cutter Theater is an historic building on the State and National Registers of Historic Places which houses a Rural Schools Exhibit, a branch of the County Library, health and business offices, school performances and private and community celebrations.