The recipient of a Master of Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin, Beutel began his career as a film and theatre critic for the Austin American-Statesman. He subsequently founded a monthly magazine, Austin Arts & Leisure, and served as the Managing Editor of Austin Magazine, the Chamber of Commerce publication.

Beutel joined the staff of The University of Texas Performing Arts Center as Manager of Publicity & Promotion when that multi-venue complex opened in 1980, and played an integral role in such major and diverse events as the facility’s grand opening, the English National Opera’s massive touring production of Prokofiev’s “War and Peace,” and the taping of a Bob Hope television special.

Beutel moved to Paramount in 1985 and assumed the reins of the theatre three years later. As the head of the historic Interstate Paramount Theatre, he is widely credited for transforming the near-bankrupt theatre into one of Austin’s most successful and respected arts organizations.

Beutel has been a member of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, International Society of Performing Arts, League of Historic American Theatres and Southwest Performing Arts Presenters. He was part of the inaugural class inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame in 2002.

Beutel joined the staff for the Miller Theatre Advisory Board in July, 2005, as MTAB’s first Artistic Director.

“I am tremendously excited about being back in Houston and particularly about working at Miller. For me, it’s a ’full circle’ thing. And the possibilities for expanding upon the already outstanding offerings at Miller are incredible. Miller is a jewel that too many Houstonians have yet to discover. We need to change that. And the country as a whole needs to sit up and take notice of the extraordinary cultural offerings being presented free of charge to audiences in Hermann Park. We’ve got a remarkable story to tell, and it’s only going to get better.”