Transformed Theater Rededicated to Allan B. Rogers

Central Catholic transformed the Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater with a $250,000 investment, made possible by a Leadership Gift of $100,000 from the Rogers Family Foundation.

On June 3, 2023, the Theater was rededicated at a celebratory Night for the Arts featuring performances by students and faculty.

Photo Album: Rededication of the Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater

For over 50 years, the Rogers Memorial Theater - which lies geographically and functionally at the heart of Central Catholic's programs on the CCHS campus - has been home to over 100 plays and musicals, and over 400 performances by a variety of student performers.

On June 3, 2023, members of the CCHS community and Rogers family gathered to officially rededicate the newly renovated theater as the Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater, in honor of Allan B. Rogers, the late son of Irving E. Rogers (Deceased), former publisher of the Eagle-Tribune newspaper.

Theater Transformed by nearly $250,000 Total Investment

The Rogers Family Foundation, whose generous grant of $100,000 was combined with funds raised by students during Walk 2021 and additional resources, helped launch a full-scale renovation of the Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater that begin in the summer of 2022.

Enhancements include:

• surround sound speakers,
• handheld and Lavalier theatrical microphones,
• digital touch screen controls for all systems,
• 32-channel sound and lighting control boards,
• high-level lighting fixtures,
• the refinishing all theater walls,
• new carpeting, refinished floors, and aisle lighting.

Thank you to Bill Berard of Berard Systems, NH, who went above and beyond our expectations in the design and the installation of the theater's state of the art sound and lighting systems.

The Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater first opened as a 400-seat in the fall of 1971 with the completion of the Hampshire Street Building and soon became home of the Central Catholic Theatre Guild, which has celebrated 50 years and will be launching its 53rd season during the upcoming school year!

The Theater hosts

• Theatre Guild productions
• Choral & band concerts,
• Rehearsals for the performing arts,
• Student grade-level assemblies,
• Parent and faculty presentations,
• Guest speakers,
• School prayer services,
• Academic club activities,
• Classroom-related films,

...and so much more!

The Rededication

The rededication ceremony was kicked off by Mr. David DeFillippo '66, Advancement Associate and former Principal, who touched upon the history of the theater and the strong connection to the Rogers Family.

"The Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater provides a beautiful venue for a host of guest speakers, school prayer services, classroom-related films, student grade-level assemblies, choral concerts, rehearsals, academic club activities, and so much more,” said Mr. David DeFillippo '66.

"Generations of the Rogers Family have and continue to play a visionary and supportive role in strengthening the educational experience and mission of Central Catholic."

Central Catholic President Christopher Sullivan '81 also spoke of his years as a paperboy for the Eagle-Tribune and his memorable days in the Theatre Guild as a student performing in the theater. Bro. Kenneth V. Hogan, FMS, member of the CCHS Board of Directors and former principal, offered a rededication prayer and blessing.

Amy Rogers Dittrich, daughter of the late Allan B. Rogers and granddaughter of Irving E. Rogers, spoke proudly of the strong historical bonds that have existed between CCHS and generations of her family.

The Rogers Family Foundation

Ms. Rogers Dittrich, whose family established the Rogers Family Foundation and who serves as the Managing Trustee, addressed the Foundation's goal of "supporting non-profit, cultural, artistic and educational organizations, such as Central Catholic, who bring vitality to the life of communities in Essex County."

The Foundation is an important partner that has also invested consistently and generously in the Montagne Scholars initiative at Central Catholic, empowering students from low-income families to attend Central Catholic High School.

A Night for the Arts

Those who attended the rededication event enjoyed lively performances by students and faculty that demonstrate the technical capabilities made possible by the renovations to the Theater.

Performances featured:

• Theatre Guild
• Jazz Band
• Concert Choir
• Central Harmony
• Facultones (faculty band)
• Studebops (student band)

The evening was capped off with a celebratory reception honoring Amy Rogers Dittrich and the Rogers Family Foundation.

Thank you to Ms. Amy Rogers Dittrich, the Rogers Family Foundation, our student and faculty performers, supporters of Walk 2021, and all who helped transform and rededicate the Allan B. Rogers Memorial Theater!

50+ Years of Central Catholic Theatre Guild Productions

2022-2023

• Disney's The Little Mermaid
• Puffs, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic

2020-2021

• A Festival of One-Acts

2019-2020

• Radio Daze

2018-2019

• Happily Ever After
• You Can’t Take It with You

2017-2018

• Superstar
• Sister Act

2016-2017

• Arsenic and Old Lace
• You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

2015-2016

• A Year with Roxanne
• Oklahoma!

2014-2015

• Scrooge: the Musical
• Back to the 80s: the Totally Awesome Musical

2013-2014

• Valentines and Mistletoe
• Once Upon a Mattress

2012-2013

• The Man Who Saved Christmas
• Crazy for You

2011-2012

• Alice in Wonderland
• Li’l Abner

2010-2011

• Sleepy Hollow
• Willy Wonka

2009-2010

• Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
• Calamity Jane

2008-2009

• Inherit the Wind
• Good News

2007-2008

• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Disney’s Beauty & the Beast

2006-2007

• Sunnyside Up
• The Music Man

2005-2006

• A Christmas Carol
• Guys and Dolls

2004-2005

• 13 Past Midnight
• The Wizard of Oz

2003-2004

• The Curious Savage
• Bye Bye Birdie

2002-2003

• The Man Who Came to Dinner
• Brigadoon

2001-2002

• 12 Angry Men
• Anything Goes

2000-2001

• The Beverly Hillbillies
• How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying

1999-2000

• That’s The Spirit
• Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

1998-1999

• Ordinary People
• Strange Borders

1997-1998

• Murder by Natural Causes

1996-1997

• Heaven Can Wait 
• Godspell

1995-1996

• Ramshackle Inn
• South Pacific

1994-1995

• God’s Favorite
• Three One-Act Plays

1993-1994

• Rehearsal for Murder
• Little Shop of Horrors

1992-1993

• The Pink Panther Strikes Again
• The Wiz

1991-1992

• Happy Daze
• Pippin

1990-1991

• Exit the Body
• Annie

1989-1990

• Fiddler on the Roof

1988-1989

• My 3 Angels
• Bye Bye Birdie

1987-1988

• Boys and Ghouls Together
• Annie Get Your Gun

1986-1987

• Up the Down Staircase
• Oklahoma

1985-1986

• Any Number Can Die
• Guys and Dolls

1984-1985

• The Beverly Hillbillies
• Camelot

1983-1984

• Cheaper by the Dozen
• Damn Yankees

1982-1983

• Night of January 6th
• Lil’ Abner

1981-1982

• My Sister Eileen
• South Pacific

1980-1981

• Arsenic & Old Lace
• Bye Bye Birdie

1979-1980

• Heaven Can Wait
• Bells Are Ringing

1978-1979

• Don’t Drink the Water
• Fiorello

1977-1978

• State of the Union
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

1976-1977

• The Man Who Came to Dinner
• How to Succeed in Business... 

1975-1976

• The Whole Darn Shooting Match
• Pajama Game

1974-1975

• You Can’t Take it With You
• Anything Goes

1973-1974

• Damn Yankees

1972-1973

• See How They Run
• Guys & Dolls

1971-1972

• Ten Little Indians