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Performing arts center promotes cultural activities Cutting Hall is a unique recreational resource serving the arts and entertainment needs of various suburban communities. By Caren Zuiker and Kerry Patrick Hays Cutting Hall is a unique community resource which is operated and maintained by the Palatine Park District. This facility serves the arts and entertainment needs of area residents in the northwest suburbs around Chicago. It is one of the few performing arts centers owned by a local recreation agency in Illinois. Background Cutting Hall has been an integral part of the arts' environment in Palatine since it was built in 1928 as part of the original Palatine High School. Charles Cutting was the first principal of Palatine High, and during his lifetime he gained recognition as an educator, lawyer and Cook County judge. This 440-seat auditorium was originally utilized for high school productions. The interior is decorated with hand painted wooden beams by Gustave Bandt, one of the four artists in the world who did this type of work in the 1920s. Six pillars support the auditorium area, and from each hangs a tiffany lamp which originally used gas as its power source.
the opportunity to enjoy amateur and professional programs. Palatine School District 211 closed the building when it moved to a new, larger facility in 1977. Area residents then began a drive to save the old high school building for use as a community center. Cutting Hall became a major aspect of this drive. That section of the building eventually became a freestanding facility through renovations undertaken by the park district. Renovations The park district wanted to restore and preserve Cutting Hall so area residents would have the opportunity to enjoy and participate in amateur as well as professional programs. Additional renovations included a lobby with a box office and alteration of existing classrooms. These classrooms were redesigned to be used as a scene shop, dressing rooms and a large rehearsal area. Permanent facility equipment includes lighting and sound systems which are adequate for many types of professional touring performers. Performances Cutting Hall has seen substantial use since its first season as a community resource in 1979. Three community theatre groups have presented amateur performances as resident companies for the past six seasons. These groups are charged a rental fee which covers exclusive use of the facility during auditions, production week and performances. In addition, resident companies are offered rehearsal space in the theatre on an "as available" basis. As many as three different plays may be in rehearsal, creating a great deal of multiple Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 July/August 1986 facility uses. Space is also made available within the facility for the construction of set materials in the scene shop. Each company performs an established number of plays during the Cutting Hall season. Nine plays are presented each season at the theatre for a total of almost 60 performances during 23 weekends of use. These main facility users are separate nonprofit organizations with complete autonomy in fiscal, promotional, administrative and artistic matters. The park district's primary responsibility is to provide and monitor the use of Cutting Hall in a "landlord" capacity. Other uses The park district is also a primary user of the theatre as both a presenter and producer of performing arts programs. Three programs offered by the district found a logical home at Cutting Hall. The Children's Theatre and creative dramatic classes present two original children's plays each season. These programs encourage the interest of area children in learning the basics of acting through a recreational setting. The Best Of Summer Stock (BOSS) program offered area high school students an outlet during the summer to perform in a musical production. The district's part-time adult employees with professional and amateur theatrical experience served as the production staff. The Palatine Concert Band also performs at the theatre. Founded in 1958, this group is a separate nonprofit organization. A part-time director is responsible for the artistic development of this 90-piece volunteer adult program. The park district has developed a variety of other programs during the past few years. Many of them present professional performers to a diversity of ages. The Performing Arts Series for School Children is a cooperative agreement between the district and local schools which takes place at the theatre during regular school hours. This series presents professional performing artists who offer an educational perspective. Illinois Parks and Recreation 17 July/August 1986 The park district books and promotes the performances, and the school district arranges transportation for students. Approximately 25,000 students have seen 42 different performers in the past six years.
presenter and producer of performing arts programs. Professional performances for adults have also been presented by the park district since 1980. Each year for the first four seasons the district presented at least one professional dance company. Croups such as Hubbard Street Dance Company and Chicago City Ballet performed at the theatre when they were first beginning to develop a national reputation. In many cases, these programs were presented with the support of local volunteer efforts which led to the formation of the Palatine Arts Council. Arts Council The Arts Council has also given assistance with another historical program offered during the statewide celebration of Arts Week. For three nights, each of the major art forms are highlighted with the talents of local performing artists. These performances — "A Night of Music," "A Night of Dance" and "A Night of Theatre" — provide a taste of the rich artistic diversity found in the Palatine area. In the past two years, the park district has expanded programming at the theatre in an attempt to further tap this resource. In many cases, current "new" programs are nothing more than the expansion or evolution of previous programs offered at the theatre. Second Suburb (a high school and college program) and The Arts and Entertainment Series are clear examples of this evolutionary process. Second Suburb grew out of the BOSS program, and its members include many former BOSS participants. Illinois Parks and Recreation 18 July/August 1986 College students from Palatine majoring in theatre or a related discipline are given the opportunity to practice skills learned in the classroom. These students form a company and assume responsibility for the artistic and administrative success of their production. Park district resources are available for promotional, technical and administrative consultation. Two companies have performed three plays during the two summers this program has existed. Community response has been very positive with a great deal of coverage by the local media.
professional needs of the recreation field on a regional and statewide basis. The Arts and Entertainment Series is another program which can trace its beginnings to an earlier Cutting Hall program. This program developed from the individual dance performances presented each season. Last year's series offered four performance events and eight performances during the season. New offerings Data collected from this experience and a study funded by the Illinois Arts Council suggested many changes to the Series' structure which were implemented last year. Five performance events were presented over a seven-month period. Series performers included The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Second City National Touring Company. Ticket sales last year exceeded 50 percent of the total seating capacity sold during the previous season. Many other programs also began last year. A Saturday afternoon series of performances entitled "Matinee Medley" offered children another opportunity to attend live professional performances. The Palatine Chamber Ensemble, another group of musicians seeking a quality non-professional performance opportunity, performed serious chamber music from a variety of musical periods. One final example is a program daytime performance series geared to area senior citizens.
many residents who want to promote the arts in their community. This facility also serves the professional needs of the recreation field on a regional and statewide level. Last December, it was the site of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's (IPRA) "Rendezvous at the Ballet." The Suburban Parks and Recreation Association's (SPRA) summer entertainment showcase was held in January.
Although Cutting Hall is a unique recreational resource, the programs offered at the facility can be developed in any community. Palatine's resource has attracted many new and excited individuals willing to offer their time, energy and talents to promoting the arts within their community. With an open-minded attitude and a little imagination, the arts may become an integral part of your recreational programs as well.
Illinois Parks and Recreation 19 July/August 1986 |
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