May 11, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

‘I love everything about our new space’

The drama program at St. Joseph-Ogden High School has a new home.


“It means a lot to this program and just fine arts in general,” said Drama Director Chandler Dalton.


The former gym is now a fully functioning auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, an actual stage and seating for 491 people.


“We no longer have to share the space with wrestling in the winter and can work longer on the stage to perfect our performances,” Dalton said. “I no longer feel like I have to rush to throw a show together because another activity needs to gym or having to wait until a sports season is over to be in there.”
Dalton said there is a lot to love with the upgrades including a motorized curtain, new LED lights, having a bigger stage to work on and comfortable seats.


“I love everything about our new space,” she sails.


Dalton said the drama students love the new space. On March 3 they will officially the spring musical set onto the stage.


“The students can’t wait to start practicing on the stage,” Dalton said. “The drama kids have been kept up to date on the whole process. Mr. Brooks took them in there back in October and it was a pretty cool experience for them.”

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Live at SJO school board, January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

I am here until 8 p.m cause Matt has to go back into work. They are discussing sports field placement...

SJO first quarter high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

Freshmen Ahart, LillianBarbee, ZhouBenoit, ZacharyBowlin, AlecBurnett, ColinClark, ElizabethCrider, AbigailDahl, HaydenDavis, IrisDitchfield, NickDowns, JustinFarber, MadisonFarney, NathanielFranzen, NolanGraham, SkylerHammond, AnnaHarbourt, MarkHarris, NicholasHess,...

Kids Say….

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

Live at SJO school board

September 23, 2019

September 23, 2019

We are here at SJO school board. They are discussing the insurance group they belong to and their options. An...

Pence hired as full-time superintendent once again

September 2, 2022

September 2, 2022

Todd Pence is a full-time superintendent once again. On Wednesday, the St. Joseph Grade School Board of Education voted to...

Live at SJO school board

December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022

I am just a tad late cause the husband was on radio. #wdwssportstalk They are doing a facilities update. Things...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

For Schmidt, hard work pays off

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Sammi Schmidt isn’t afraid of hard work. The future Illinois State Redbird was awarded the Gary Butler award at St....

SJO board approves back to school plan

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has created a plan for the 2021-22 school year. A plan that is subject to change....

SJO HIGH HONOR ROLL

November 5, 2020

November 5, 2020

FreshmenAlewelt, EdwardAllen, LoganArmstrong, AdenBaltzell, OwenBeetz, SamanthaBurkhalter, ChloeDivan, RachelEricksen, SadieFrasca, JosephFrick, AddisonGetty, GraceHaake, LoganHarper, ChloeHarris, RachelHausman, BrodyHueber, AnnabelleJacob, TannerJolley, KyaJones, HeleneKibler,...

SJO 4th quarter honor roll

June 2, 2022

June 2, 2022

Our Honor Rolls are sponsored by Appl Sanitary. FreshmenAltenbaumer, JaredBarton, RylieBesson, WilliamBirt, EliBirt, MilesBrazelton, HoldenChristians, PresleeFrerichs, LylaGaines, KaidenGriebat, JoeGuido, MasonHarms,...

5 Questions with Cohen Sands

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

We asked the members of the Heritage Bass Chorus five questions. Here are Cohen Sands answers. What does it mean...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor rolls

January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022

7th Grade High Honor Roll Ahart, Lillian Albrecht, Samuel Bello, Abigail Benoit, Zachary Burnett, Colin Clark, Elizabeth Crider, Abigail Dahl,...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

Comments
Leave a Reply