Letter to the Editor: Rogue Does So Much More Than Entertain

As I sat in church last Sunday, thankful for my wife, family and the end of a recent back surgery, I listened to the priest give his homily. He spoke of this time of year as the season of giving. He told of how the wise men gave gifts to the newborn Jesus and that we celebrate this time of year by giving gifts to others. There is great joy in giving to others, and I myself have truly been blessed with many gifts. We live in a community that gives to others, and that is a powerful and wonderful place to be.

Rogue Theater is proud to give “community theater” a whole new definition in Door County. In many communities around the country, community theater is just that, generally a not-for-profit organization that puts together shows for the enjoyment of its cast, crew and audience. Additionally, a community theater may put on a series of performances to benefit a particular charity.

In that, Rogue is quite similar, a not-for-profit and gives to charities. But in addition, one of its goals is to get as many “want to be” performers on stage as possible. To date, in Rogue’s brief “soon to be” four-year history, more than 150 different performers have graced the Rogue stage. This years’ Christmas show The Evening News Hour boasts no less than 28 performers. Whole families, parents, grandparents, and children of all ages get together for an entertaining evening sharing the season of the holidays. Most of actors once again are new to the Rogue stage.

It is also a big part of Rogue Theater’s mission to give back to the community. Many of the shows produced at Rogue share proceeds with other community charitable organizations. Rogue’s annual food drive this year will follow both Christmas shows running Dec. 9 through the 17th. In the past, Rogue has donated funds to the many local charities including HELP of Door County, the Women’s Fund, Lakeshore CAP, Door County Children’s Book Drive, Ministry’s Healing Project, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Rogue Theater’s growing symbiotic relationship within the community (what goes around comes around) has been gathering a head of steam as well. This year Rogue has taken in more private donations from lovers of the Performing Arts than ever before. As more and more patrons come to see the productions and understand that quality shows are Rogue’s main priority, they know all too well, it takes funding to bring these shows to life. With the overhead involved in running a theater Rogue also needs the support of its community.

I thank you, the community, for your tremendous support and hope your holiday season is filled with joy.

Stuart Champeau

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.