Hammers clanged and sawdust filled the air at Shepard High School this summer as workers tore into the heart of the campus: its aging theater.
The Palos Heights school at 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., known for its commitment to the fine arts, is in the middle of a major overhaul of its Fine Arts Center.
“Our students put on world-class performances, and now they will have a state-of-the-art space to enhance their talents,” Principal Tim Baker said.
While lighting and sound have been upgraded over the years, the bones of the theater remain from the original build, making the overhaul long overdue.
The renovation will transform the theater that has stood largely unchanged since the school opened in 1976. Construction began in May 2024 and is expected to finish in October 2025, Baker said.
District 218 administration said the project is part of Phase 1 of the district’s capital improvement plan, with an estimated total cost of about $11.7 million including insurance and soft costs. About two-thirds of the funding will come from existing fund balances and one-third from new debt and refinancing of existing debt.
The project is being managed by Pepper/UJAMAA Construction LLC, with designs led by JP Architects LTD.
Baker said the new theater will keep the same footprint and comparable seating capacity but will feature a balcony, an updated layout that meets ADA standards, larger dressing rooms, space for set building and a new lobby.
He said the theater benefits more than fine arts students on campus.
“The new theater will definitely give our extracurricular groups a great venue to perform,” he said. “We also utilize our theater for presentations and meetings during the school day throughout the entire school year.”
By next fall, students and community members will step into a space built to match the thriving arts program Shepard has nurtured for decades.