The Deerfield (Ill.) district is renovating and expanding the auditorium at Caruso Middle School.
The $6.3 million upgrade will add modern seating, backstage dressing rooms for performers, improved equipment storage space, and enhanced stage and house lighting systems, The Daily Herald reports. The adjacent band and orchestra room will be enlarged.
The auditorium hasn't been upgraded since it was built as part of a 1976 addition to the school, officials said.
The existing space does not have permanent seating and does not meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities. District officials said folding chairs or other arrangements often have to be used for performances.
The Deerfield park district is contributing $1 million to the auditorium upgrade. It has used the existing auditorium and will use the upgraded space as well.
The project is expected to be completed by January 2023.
