Last year, Rolling Meadows High School confirmed plans to begin construction on a black box theater as part of a districtwide set of construction projects [in addition to the main theater]. The primary purpose of the black box theater is to host a variety of fine arts events, from chorus to jazz concerts. A black box theater is a square room with four black walls, and the seating can be adapted to how the performance is staged.
The initial completion date was set for the summer of 2017, but now the end is currently unknown due to a recent Supreme Court ruling on Sept. 24, 2015, which is enforcing new laws regarding construction projects in schools.
The Supreme Court ruling on Sept. 24 was initially formed due to the construction of bleachers that Crystal Lake South High School installed without permission. The school violated Crystal Lake’s zoning laws when installing the bleachers, and the Court ruled with a unanimous 7-0 vote to demolish them.
As a result, this ruling is affecting school districts all over the country. The ruling states that “school districts now are subject to the zoning laws of the local municipalities.” This means that local officials will be montioring the construction of the black box theater at several increments before its completion. Previously, no observation was necessary. However, the ruling requires that the work be approved much more frequently.
“[Rolling Meadows] tends to work in collaboration already [with the city],” Principal Eileen Hart said. “Now, we’re just going to have to talk a little more frequently.”
The construction cannot move forward until the current work has been approved, and this will cause some delay in the completion of the black box theater.
“I am looking forward to having a black box whenever it arrives,” acting teacher and play director Britnee Ruscitti said. “The main thing I am looking forward to is having a designated space to teach my acting classes. I had the opportunity to teach at a school that had a black box, and our acting classes were much more serious.”
In addition to the black box theater, the auxiliary gym and music wing additions at Wheeling, as well as a theater renovation, auxiliary gym, and additional fine arts storage at Elk Grove, will be delayed. However, Prospect’s swimming pool will be completed as planned since the construction has already begun. As the end date is uncertain, there is no telling when the theater will now be complete.
“I think once we continue to get guidance and information of how we want to work with our [schools] or with local municipalities differently than we currently do, I think we’re going to move well,” Hart said.