Trapp Auditorium Committee

[Danno]

I am on the commitee. The look of the theatre as far as the wooden structure is concerned is NOT going to be changed. What is being looked at is updating the rigging system, new curtains, new lighting and sound equipment, possibly new HVAC, new pit cover and either replacing or recovering the seats. I am trying to get a workshop adding on as well. Waukegan High School has an amazing theatre, unfortunately it is difficult to really use it well because there is no room for set construction. Without the much needed workshop there needs to be funds raised in excess of $800,000. Many of the problems in the theatre fall under the "life safety" category. The problem is the district does not have the money right now to deal with them because of all of the expenses being accrued for the change over to one high school with 2 addresses. The committee was desirous of using funds that the Trapp has made and will make for helping wih the renovations, but alas a few well meaning souls have scared the school board into thinking the Trapp Auditorium is dangerous. The school board acting on the only information they have been given has shut down all use of the rigging system. That means no more curtains until $200,000 can be spent on the rigging. It will be very difficult to get groups to come in if no one can use curtains. No groups, no money. No money, no new rigging. It is a vicious circle. There is a stop gap measure which can make the rigging safe again. Please pray for me that I can help the school board understand we NEED to be able to use the space, rigging system and all.

TG, what is the issue with the rigging. I'm not familiar with theater rigging but I am experienced in many types of restoration work including metal fabrication. I have done quite a bit of restoration work and I know that a lot of times things can be restored and rebuilt rather than replaced. For instance, I have seen an estimate of $2000 to replace an entire component when I repaired the old one by replacing a bearing at a material cost of $10. I see that kind of thing happen a lot. I like to call it being frugal. How was the $200,000 figure arrived at? Is there any kind of engineering or professional report on the need for repair and/or other structural issues with the rigging or other life safety issues? I'm betting it can be done for a fraction of the $200,000 estimate , especially with some volunteers. Maybe a call could be put out for Waukegan businesses to donate a skilled workers to help with the project. It doesn't cost much to ask.