Shepard High School celebrated a major milestone Wednesday afternoon with the ribbon cutting of its new Fine Arts Center, a 10,800-square-foot theater designed to elevate student performances and expand opportunities in music, drama, and stage production.
The ceremony, held in the Fine Arts Lobby at 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., drew students, families, staff, and community members eager to see the school’s newest investment in the arts. Principal Dr. Timothy J. Baker and District 218 Superintendent Dr. Josh Barron led the event, marking the completion of a project that began in May 2024 and finished earlier this month on November 3. The $9.75 million project was funded through a mix of bonds and existing district funds.
Baker said the Fine Arts Center represents a major step forward for student learning and performance. He noted that what students will benefit from most is “the elevation of their experience to a professional standard,” adding that the facility stands as a statement of how deeply the school values its students’ artistic and academic pursuits.
“For our theatre, band, and choir students, the state-of-the-art sound and lighting are more than just fancy equipment,” Baker said. “It means they are training on the technology they will actually use in college or a career. They are stepping into a true, modern performance space—a crucial part of their professional development and real-world preparation. The new balcony isn’t just added seating; it fundamentally changes the dynamic of a performance and the student’s sense of being a part of something grand.”
Baker emphasized that the Fine Arts Center will benefit the entire student body, not only those involved in performing arts.
“This beautiful space is where all students will be recognized,” he said. “It’s where the National Honor Society will host its induction, where presentations are made, and where students gather for key meetings. The new decor and improved environment ensure that when our students—whether they’re performers, scholars, or leaders—stand on that stage, they feel the full weight and pride of the community’s investment in them. It sends a clear message: what you do here matters, and you deserve a first-class venue.”
The new theater, which seats 375, also includes three dressing rooms, a scene shop, an orchestra pit, and a balcony designed to enhance both technical production and audience experience. School officials said the project underscores the district’s commitment to expanding arts education and providing students with professional-level performance spaces.
Following the ribbon cutting, guests toured the facility, with students testing out the acoustics, lighting, and backstage areas for the first time.
The opening came just one day before the school’s fall play, Alice in Wonderland, marking the first production to take the stage in the new theater and ushering in a new artistic chapter for Shepard High School.
