Tigers of all ages proved that all the world’s a stage on Tuesday evening as the Croton-Harmon community gathered to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the beautifully restored CHHS Auditorium. The event highlighted a powerful display of student talent, featuring choral, orchestra, and band performances, as well as memorable solo and group numbers from students at all three of our District’s schools.

The celebration began with opening remarks from Assistant Superintendent John Griffiths, Board of Education President Ana Teague, and Superintendent of Schools Stephen Walker, each reflecting on the significance of the auditorium project and the collaborative work that made it possible. Their remarks underscored the collective vision, community partnership, and student-centered approach that shaped the redesign.

“As a Board, we look forward to supporting the District’s work in fostering our student artists’ experiences through curriculum and professional development dedicated to the arts,” shared Board of Education President Ana Teague. “We look forward to supporting our educators as they continue to create opportunities for our students to showcase their passions and celebrate student achievement on this stage and within these walls.”

A highlight moment of the evening came when CHHS student musicians Cormac Taylor and Taka Matsunaga were given the honor of cutting the ribbon, symbolizing the central role students played in bringing new life to the auditorium.

The unveiling showcased a space redesigned to elevate the performing arts experience for students and audiences alike. The refreshed auditorium—complete with updated lighting, sound, and technology—was shaped through the insights and feedback of students, staff, the Future Facilities Committee, and multiple project teams.

“This theatre is a sacred place — a refuge that has shaped generations, reverberating with over a century of performances and passions. This space may look much the same as it has for over a century, but it is indeed modernized — a true example of progress through preservation,” reflected Assistant Superintendent and Master of Ceremonies John Griffiths.

The reopening also reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to creativity, collaboration, and student expression.

“The auditorium represents creativity, joy, thoughtful risk-taking, and the process of working together to create something that wouldn’t have been possible without the collective efforts of many,” said Superintendent Walker. “All of those concepts represent What School Can Be, and the students who perform on this stage embody what we mean when we use the term Tiger Pride.”

The new space is poised to serve the district for years to come.

This renewed auditorium will serve as a hub for:
🎶 Music performances
🎭 Theater and dramatic arts
🏅 Academic ceremonies
📚 Schoolwide gatherings
💡 Technical theater learning and production work

As students took the stage in the renewed auditorium—many for the first time—the energy in the room reflected both excitement for the performances and pride in what the community accomplished together. The ribbon-cutting marked not just the opening of a physical space, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with creativity, connection, and countless memories still to come.