Center Drama

Bringing Stories to Life.

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Where Community and Creativity Take Center Stage

Center Drama is a community theatre with roots dating back to 1929. Now part of the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, we produce musicals, plays, and concerts that celebrate creativity and connection. From first-time performers to returning alumni, we welcome all who share a passion for live theatre and the arts in Monmouth County.

Mission/Values

Center Drama brings culture, creativity, and connection to the community through inclusive theatre rooted in Jewish values. Open to all ages and backgrounds, we offer a welcoming space to perform, learn, and grow. Guided by collaboration, legacy, creativity, and respect for tradition, every show is a celebration of shared values and artistic discovery.

Leadership

Center Drama is led by Ruthie Levy and Deborah Murad, lifelong performers and arts advocates united by a passion for community theatre. Ruthie, House Manager at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, has long championed Center Drama’s legacy, while Deborah, a Perry Award–nominated director and entertainment lawyer, brings artistic vision and professional expertise. Together, they lead a team dedicated to honoring the company’s rich history and building its vibrant future.

History

Center Drama began in 1929 at the Long Branch YMHA, founded by theatre lovers including Abe and George Vogel, Jack and Leo Levin, and their wives. Under Fannie Zuckerman’s direction, the troupe grew from one-act plays to full productions of works by O’Neill, Barrie, and Kelly.

History

Their original play Joe won first prize at a Newark YMHA contest in 1939, launching their reputation. In the 1940s–60s, with guidance from WPA director S. Iden Thompson, Center Drama staged acclaimed productions like Awake and Sing!, All My Sons, and Death of a Salesman, becoming known for its artistic quality and multigenerational community involvement.

History

Relocating to the Deal Park JCC in 1971, the company flourished under Harold and Ellie Arm, embracing modern musicals and building a close-knit ensemble that made it a pillar of Jewish cultural life in Monmouth County. In the early 2000s, following renovations, Center Drama became one of the first groups to perform at the new Axelrod Performing Arts Center.

History

A dedicated committee — Ellen Jemal, Ruthie Levy, Larry Lowenstein, Deborah Murad, Aaron Rosenfeld, Harold Schaector, and Erica Seigal — helped lead a creative revival, with productions like Fiddler on the Roof, Funny Girl, Man of La Mancha, and The Wedding Singer, renewing Center Drama’s reputation for excellence while honoring nearly a century of tradition.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Season

This season, we’re proud to bring a lineup of performances that celebrate courage, humor, and humanity, stories that remind us who we are and what connects us.

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