Agency Details:

Racine Children's Theatre

A volunteer-based community theatre under professional management, the Racine Theatre Guild aims to provide a variety of quality theatrical productions and activities that offer educational, cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities to enrich the lives of young and old.

Tagline: Lighting up lives at all stages

Description:
The Racine Theatre Guild is pleased and proud to carry on the legacy of the Racine Children’s Theatre by continuing to provide fun, affordable entertainment for families with young children. Since 1933, countless area children have been introduced to live theatre via the RCT. Former kids relive fond memories by bringing their children and grandchildren, who sit spellbound as traditional favorites and contemporary tales come alive on stage.
Four shows--with eight performances each--are presented throughout the school year.
Besides the plays themselves, youngsters are always charmed by the RCT’s lovable mascot, Packy the Elephant, and eagerly anticipate his on-stage introductions.
After each play, costumed characters they’ve just seen on stage are happy to meet and greet children in the lobby, and pose for photographs.

History:
The Racine Children's Theatre presented its first season in 1933, although records indicate it was actually founded in 1928. For the first eight seasons, performances took place at the Woman's Club, which co-sponsored with AAUW, the Library Board, Child Conservation League and the Junior League. The drama departments at Horlick and Park High Schools also participated.
In later years, performances were held at the Main Street Theatre, in public school auditoriums and various other locations. The RCT incorporated in 1940.
In 1981, the RCT started performing at the Racine Theatre Guild's new facility on Northwestern Avenue. The RCT remained an all-volunteer organization, however, and its relationship with the RTG was as a renter.
By 1999, the RCT's volunteer base had eroded and attendance was at an all-time low. The leadership of the RCT asked the Racine Theatre Guild to assume management, and so it came to be.
Soon afterwards, quality improved, attendance increased, and the Racine Children's Theatre was back in all its glory.

Contact people:

Beth Jurgaitis, General Manager, (262) 633-1250, (email) Doug Instenes, Executive Director, (262) 633-1250, (email)

Office fax number: (262) 633-6887

Address:

2519 Northwestern Ave Racine, WI 53404 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.racinetheatre.org

Last updated on July 13, 2009