Roots Magazine

By: Elise Mcneil-Hatchett, Hannah Maurer, and Cj McGonegle

Editor- Cj McGonegle

Writer- Hannah Maurer and Elise Mcneil-Hatchett

Photographer- Elise McNeil-Hatchett and Hannah Maurer

The Roots Magazine-Sixth Street Theatre: Local and New Modern Plays

Sixth Street Theatre located downtown Racine.

Two directors of a local performing arts theater share their passion and roots of theater.

Diane Carlson is on the board of directors and Rich Smith is the managing artistic director of their business O.O.H.P’s. Currently the business consists of a number of members and volunteers that help carry out the companies goals

Their very first performance was in downtown Racine at a bar called George’s Bar in 1992. Tickets completely sold out and the audience loved it. In fact they loved it so much that more shows were requested.

“We started as a group who wanted to do theater…we started to do small seasons of theater out of this bar…” said Rich.

With a continual start, seven years passed and the group of them performing raised enough money to expand their talent into their own place. In 1999, this is where they started their first project called the Sixth Street Theatre.

Sixth Street Theatre is an evergoing local performing arts business, which resides with the Over Our Head Players. Also known as O.O.H.P’s, is a non-profit organization that provides not only the Racine area with theater, but a place where multiple fields are needed and useful whether it’s behind the scenes or on stage.

Like previously stated, this storefront theatre is a non-profit organization which means most of the work that you see is majority volunteer based. The community plays a huge part in this organization. With a full list of shows throughout the year, auditions are always welcomed.Being composed of all volunteers, this community provides dedication to their performances and their journey of passion for the arts.

“Fulfilling what the community wants in a theater…making sure all the volunteers here know that we are here to give them a place to express themselves as well. We give people a chance to act, or to direct, or to design…” said Diane.

Being one of the first community theaters to present the play called The Roommate, this organization is unique in hosting the latest modern plays in America. This play goes over two mothers with some life mishaps that ultimately bring them together. They both have challenging times but discover ways to get through it.

Despite this pause, this local theater has been presenting their passion for plays for years. When the date for The Roomate is released, come show support and enjoy a brand new play in your community.

Seats in front of the stage for the audience.

This theater consists of diverse plays which offer multiple interests, especially appealing to young and new people who have the passion for plays. Its close location to Kenosha and Racine not only gives the community a favorable place to act and support but also gives anyone wanting to volunteer and grow in a field, a place too.

This all round year theater is always open for volunteers, whether it is on stage, or it’s interest is in art, publicity, marketing, social media, etc. They welcome people anytime and the easiest way is through their direct message on their Facebook Page.

By investing desire and passion into a project, not only Diane and Rich, but all contributors to Sixth Street Theatre, consistently succeed in bringing the community together with all year modern plays.

“It’s a combination of loving what we doing and loving that were fostering other people doing it, and our community” said Rich.

To find out more about Sixth Street Theatre and shows that are coming as well as ticket purchasing. Or if you are interested in auditions or contributing small donations. You can visit their website:

Rich smith on the left in front of the stage where they have their shows taken place.

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