Dec. 2, 2024 11a
(WGTD)---A memorial tribute on WGTD last week to Norm McPhee, the man described as the founding father of the modern-day Racine Theatre Guild, was as much about the Theatre Guild’s history as it was about McPhee himself.
McPhee died of complications from congestive heart failure last month at the age of 88.
McPhee, with degrees in theater, was hired as the group’s managing/artistic director in 1969. He immediately set out to bring a higher standard of professionalism to the community theater troupe. He’s also credited with being the guiding force that orchestrated the Theater Guild’s move from a tiny theater at High and Erie streets to the new building that the Guild built for itself in 1976 on Northwestern Ave.
The Guild’s current leader for the past 23 years, Doug Instenes, noted the benefits he received of working side-by-side with McPhee for several years. "I probably can point to a lot of technical things I learned but the most important thing was his leadership style--his willingness to do anything to make the Theatre Guild successful and that's what I'll always remember," Instenes said.
The full Morning Show tribute to McPhee, featuring several key Guild members, is here.
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