The Sipp Theatre is going to have live acts thanks to the dedication and hard work to create a non profit, the Main Street Players, who want to see arts grow in their community.

The Paintsville Main Street Association announced its partnership with the newly developed non-profit, Main Street Players.

“The progress is continuing to grow here in Paintsville,” said Barbie Whitten of the Paintsville Main Street Association Board of Directors.
“We have so much to offer and now that this is going to be the permanent home for the Main Street Players.”

The group will perform at the historic Sipp Theatre, built in the 1930's, which has undergone serious renovations thanks to concerned citizens.

“Because it is our responsibility promote our downtown district and to revitalize our historic buildings,” said Whitten.

Members of the Main Street Players said they want to give options to future generations.

“As a kid you never know what that means life without the arts,” said Robert Hazlette, Executive Artistic Director of the \Main Street Players Theatre Company.

“For me I grew up without that opportunity, it was sports, sports, sports, so I was the outcast because I didn't understand sports nor did i care enough to want to play them.”

Hazlette said he understood that many children excelled in sports, but he wanted to ensure that others could have other avenues to go down regarding extracurricular activities.

The mayor said that he hopes it does more than generate revenue for the city. He said he is hoping it will bring more people to the streets of downtown Paintsville.

“The restaurants thrive, the antique shops thrive whenever there is a performance here with big crowds,” said Mayor Bob Porter.
“People come early and they stay late and it brings a lot of money into the community.”

Some said it is a win for tourists and residents of the city.

“All the kids can get involved, audition for the plays. There are some really great shows coming up,” said Whitten.

“Kids in the next generation younger than me are going to be able to have an arts venue and be able to do theatre,” said Hazlette.

The first show by the Main Street Players will be in September. A schedule of shows for the 2012-2013 include "The Wedding Singer" in Sept. 2012, Jenny Wiley Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol" in Nov. 2012, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" in Dec. 2012, "Seussical" in Feb/Mar. 2012, "The Dixie Swim Club" in Apr. 2013 and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in May, 2013. For more information visit www.paintsvillemsp.com