The Racine Children's Theatre
The mission of the Racine Theatre Guild, Inc. is to engage in the theatre arts pursuing activities and productions of high standards and artistic integrity that will enrich and ensure a better quality of life for the residents of Racine and southeastern Wisconsin by providing educational, cultural, avocational, recreational, and entertainment opportunities.
The Racine Theatre Guild, a volunteer-based community theatre, was founded in 1938 by 26 people with $13, and has grown into an organization that provides a variety of live entertainment and educational opportunities for all ages. Through the efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteers led by a small professional staff, RTG annually offers a season of eight main-stage plays and musicals, Racine Children's Theatre, Jean's Jazz Series, Comedy Tonight, theatre trips to Chicago and New York City, theatre classes for kids and adults, daytime performances and workshops for schools, and more.
The following highlights of the past 74 years were noted in a proclamation by Racine Mayor John Dickert on September 13, 2012, at an event celebrating the start of the 75th consecutive season:
The Racine Theatre Guild reaches an international audience, having toured to festivals in Austria, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Republic of Georgia, Ireland and Japan.The RTG hosted a troupe from Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia in 1989, and a competitive international theatre festival involving 11 countries in 1994.The RTG received the State of Wisconsin Governor's Award in Support of the Arts in 1994.In 1956, the RTG became the first community theatre in Wisconsin to own its building, then raised funds to construct the Northwestern Avenue facility in 1976, and renovated it in 2004. Today it remains among the premier community theatres in Wisconsin, with seating for nearly 400 and state-of-the-art lighting, sound and production elements.
History of the Children's Theatre
Generations of area children have had their first thrilling contact with live theatre through the Packy Plays, as they are commonly known, referring to the RCTs mascot. Packy, the elephant child first appeared in 1947 to instruct children in theatre courtesy. Except for the 1950-51 season, when he was briefly replaced by a penguin, Packy and the RCT have been inseparable ever since. Year after year, youngsters eagerly anticipate his on-stage introductions to each performance.
In the beginning, the Racine Children's Theatre was established by the Woman's Club in collaboration with AAUW, the Library Board, the Child Conservation League, the Junior League, and the drama departments of Horlick and Washington Park High Schools. All performances for the first eight seasons took place at the Woman's Club. The slate for the initial 1933-34 season was Snow White, Afternoon of Morgin, The Silver Thread (marionettes), The Dragon and Puss in Boots (movie). There were two performances of each production. The price for the five-part series was $.50, or 15 cents for a single admission.
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