Movies and popcorn.
Live musicals and dance recitals.
School awards presentations, TED Talks, monologues and community events.
Those are not entertainment scenarios often associated with your local library. But, honestly, when the historic Rogers Theater in downtown Rogers City went under new ownership in 2016, the possibilities were endless.
And thanks to the vision of the previous owner, who saw the venue as community space, the historic theater grabbed the imagination of the local community. And then – in stepped the Presque Isle District Library.
Library? Yes, the local library.
This newest branch of the Presque Isle District Library is all about bookings, not books.
Built in 1937, the Rogers Theater might easily have gone the way of many old small-town theaters and fallen into vacancy and disrepair as multiplex movie theaters became the norm in Michigan and across the country.
Instead, the Rogers Theater is now the cultural hub of Presque Isle County’s vibrant arts community. Even while the theater is being restored to its original splendor, the venue is booked year around with a variety of shows.
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Rosemary ParkerAmber Alexander, director of the Presque Isle District Library, stands in front of the historic Rogers Theater.
The theater is one of only two in the state owned by a library, but that may change as communities realize what a natural fit the partnership between libraries and theaters can be, says
Amber Alexander, director of the Presque Isle District Library.
“There are people who wonder why we're putting our money into this,” she says. But “sometimes, you have to take a risk to move forward,” Alexander told the Library Journal in 2019 when the publication named her a “Mover & Shaker.”
That risk is paying off.
Built in 1937, the
Rogers Theater first opened as a one-screen, 500-seat movie theater playing the films of its era. A 1948 fire gutted the building, which was quickly rebuilt and expanded as a 650-seat movie theater. Renovations in 2002 modified the interior of the theater to support
live performances in addition to movie screenings.
Subsequent renovations have occurred over the years, with more projects planned in 2025 and 2026. Funded by grants and donations have included repairs to the brick building front and marquee, an expanded concession stand, and preservation of the theater’s design and fixtures.
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Rosemary ParkerThe concession stand at the Rogers Theater.The Rogers Theater is especially notable for its design and architecture. Designed in the Art Moderne style popular of its time, the theater’s facade is uniquely clad in black and orange tilework. The theater’s marquee is also distinct, recently restored to its original and impressive splendor thanks to an ongoing and years-long renovations campaign from PIDL
Heather Heidemann Nordenbrock, secretary of the
Rogers City Community Theater, said the upgrades to the building “look great.”
The theater group, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala at the theater, stages a play, a musical, and a summer youth musical every year.
In addition, some years volunteers manage a fourth production, such as dinner theater.
“We're definitely excited about all the work that they're doing on (the building),” Nordenbrock says. “I just am excited to see everything brought up to its former glory.”
With seating for 280 people, a stage, screen, lighting and audio equipment, it is the only venue of its kind in very rural Presque Isle County.
The theater was recently named to the National Historic Register list, only the second historic building in Rogers City to earn the honor.
But the designation is as much about looking to the future as preserving the past, Alexander says; it positions the library to receive more grants and funding to continue its mission of bringing culture to the county.
That mission is what makes the theater such a good fit for the library, Alexander says. “You know, it's not just about books anymore,” she says.
The previous owner had kept the theater running and had even begun improvements, but he felt public ownership by the library was the best fit for what he would like to see the theater become, Alexander says.
Running a theater was not in her skill set back in December 2015 when she was hired and charged with its stewardship.
“When I came on board, it was the acknowledgement that we were taking on a theater,” she says. “Well, I had worked with libraries, but I never worked with a theater.”
But she delved into the world of first-run films, lecture circuits, film festivals and cultural programming.
With the help of “the best grant writer in the state of Michigan,” she sought funding for repairs, expansion and programming.
Now showing
Family movies are featured by
free will donation, and the Rogers City Community Theatre rents space and stages productions throughout the year.
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Rosemary ParkerThe auditorium at the Rogers Theater, which opened in 1937.Local businesses and organizations rent the space for meetings and events and the theater is the site of the city’s annual Nautical Pageant.
“We have two dance companies that are brand new in town,” Alexander says, “and they rent it for their recitals.”
Recognizing the benefit of employment to the small town’s teenagers, she hired kids to work at the concession stand. Some have learned the ropes of theater and library, and have risen through the ranks to leadership positions.
Upcoming previews
More
renovations are planned in 2025 and 2026, and fundraising campaigns are underway.
“This next year, we're going to be writing a grant for a mural” on the building’s north wall, Alexander says, in keeping with Roger City’s Main Street
mural program.
Also in the plans, renovation to the outer concessions lobby.
Whatever improvements may still be to come, the building will continue to fit the library’s mission. “We're here to provide educational and entertainment and cultural activities. This fits libraries … It fits those needs for our community in rural Michigan,” Alexander says.
The success story is spreading.
“I have been approached by a couple of cities that have wanted to buy their theaters and renovate them, and other libraries that want to renovate their local theaters,” she adds. “This is an opportunity to help us grow as a library.”
The Rogers Theater is located at 257 N. 3rd St. in downtown Rogers City.
Rosemary Parker has worked as a writer and editor for more than 40 years. She is a regular contributor to Rural Innovation Exchange and other Issue Media Group publications.