THE FRANKLIN THEATRE LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PAUL COUCH

Paul T. Couch is an experienced venue manager, promoter and producer and is currently the Executive Director of The Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee. Previously, he was General Manager of Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium where he produced the musicals Always, Patsy Cline, Lost Highway: The Music and Legend of Hank Williams, and Bye, Bye, Love—The Everly Brothers Musical, as well as award-winning productions of Pump Boys and Dinettes and Cotton Patch Gospel. In addition, he booked and promoted a variety of concerts for the Ryman stage. After leaving the Ryman, Paul became one of the theme park industry’s most award-winning entertainment producers. During his 11-year tenure as Dollywood’s Director of Entertainment and Executive Producer, he supervised the operations of five indoor and three outdoor theaters. It was there that Paul and Dolly began a creative partnership that included several major musical productions and a Hallmark Channel television special. More recently, Paul served as Executive Producer on Dolly’s first-ever children’s album, I Believe In You, and collaborated with her on the creation of a new musical adaptation of Dickens’ famous Christmas tale called Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol. The musical recently completed its premiere engagement at Boston’s famed Emerson Colonial Theatre. In addition to his position at the Franklin Theatre, Couch teaches Venue Management for MTSU’s renowned Recording Industry Management program.