The new theater in the old building ties generations together, 1968 South High School graduate Nick Lubbers said.
“That addition added years to the life of the building, and it’ll add unbelievable successes to kids who would’ve never found success if they didn’t have the opportunities that were presented by that theater,” Lubbers said.
Mike Dellapina, a 1983 South High grad, is a testament to the memories the theater held for many former students.
People in Springfield remember him as a high school athlete — a triple threat in football, wrestling and baseball. But what a lot of people don’t know — was that he was an active thespian in high school.
In the spring of his senior year, Dellapina was lining up behind the auditorium stage’s curtain at South High School for the opening number of ‘South Pacific.’
It was the last production he’d take part in during high school — adding it to his list along with The Music Man, Oklahoma and Fiddler on the Roof.
The auditorium was one of the biggest venues in the city, and Dellapina performed in front of 500 people, he said. He spent a lot of time in that theater between the plays, student council meetings and guest speakers — years of his life he still holds dearly.
A picture of the front facade of South High School still hangs in his office in the athletic wing of Springfield High School where he is now the athletic director.
But there was a time when he thought his memories — and the memories of many others — might be turned to rubble.
In 2008, South High School and North High School, both within Springfield’s city limits, combined to create the new Springfield High School. North High School on East Home Road was torn down and Springfield High was constructed in its place.
South High, constructed in 1911, sat vacant for six years.
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“I was kind of concerned about what the future of that building was going to hold,” Dellapina said. “To lose it would’ve been a crime in my eyes.”
Springfield City School District leaders said the idea of restoring the theater — was something that only seemed possible in a dream.
A dream becomes reality
Through an $11.3 million grant through Ohio’s Straight-A program, much of South was able to be renovated — creating a new home for Greater Springfield CareerConnectED, the Global Impact STEM Academy and Clark State Community College, all operating under a new name, ‘Springfield Center of Innovation: The Dome,’ referencing the large architectural structure which characterizes the building.
But what about the auditorium where countless kids, like Dellapina, learned about their love of theater?
When the two schools merged, there was not local funding to create a separate auditorium, Springfield City School District Superintendent Bob Hill said. And a true theater didn’t exist in the district. So South’s auditorium remained untouched.
That was until one of Springfield City School’s most famous alumni stepped up in a big way. Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy winning artist, John Legend donated $500,000 for the restoration project of the auditorium.
With additional contributions from Speedway, The Turner Foundation, The Springfield Foundation and Security National Bank — the funds to revive the portion of the building totaled close to $900,000.
The school district matched donations to reach $2.5 million, and a state-of-the-art venue — The John Legend Theater opened to the public in 2016. .
While the rest of ‘The Dome’ has a modern design, the auditorium was constructed to emphasize the historic architectural features. Legend himself kicked off the dedication with a community performance in October 2016.
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“That one particular event symbolized what this theater stands for,” Hill said. “It was the school district, it was a graduate, it was the community.”
Paving the way for future performers
The theater has connected current alumni, like Dellapina, and future alumni like Roosevelt seventh-grader Hannah Mattison, who performed in her first play, ‘Dorothy Meets Alice’ through Springfield Youth Arts Ambassadors, at the theater in February.
“I was very nervous when I was off-stage, when I was about to say my first lines,” Mattison said. “When you’re on the John Legend stage, it’s really tall and huge.”
A lot of junior high kids want to spend their weekends at the movies or the mall, but Mattison’s mom, Rachel Mattison said Hannah would rather see a show with her friend, Evie, at The John Legend.
Mattison and her mom both mentioned the high-quality lighting and acoustics at the theater that create a professional environment for even the youngest performers — a much welcome change from the typical ‘cafetorium’ many schools are used to.
“It’s boosted her confidence a lot, having that independence to be down there and be around all of those amazingly talented people,” Rachel Mattison said.
Mattison said one of her favorite parts of community theater is meeting new friends. Snowhill sixth-grader Will Hasecke said he also enjoys the relationships he’s built through acting at the venue.
The two performed in ‘Dorothy Meets Alice’ together. But the theater isn’t just for acting — Hasecke’s sister, Springfield High School senior Emily Hasecke, regularly had choir concerts and performed with the Springfield Youth Symphony Orchestra at the venue.
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During the 2017-2018 school year, there were over 120 events held at the theater, including school presentations, concerts and plays from districts outside of Springfield City — and the venue is already booked through January 2019, John Legend Theater Operations Manager Terry McGonigle said.
School officials said the venue’s bookings and help from student theater workers offset its operational costs. This past school year, the theater brought in $68,000 in revenue, McGonigle said.
Next year, Springfield High’s fall play and spring musical will move to The John Legend — a senior sendoff Emily Hasecke will certainly remember long after graduation.
“The musicals I’ve done have been some of the best parts of high school so far,” she said. “Definitely something I’ll cherish.”
History lives on
At the end of July, Lubbers’ South High graduating class will celebrate their 50th high school reunion. Between 150-200 alumni will come together and have the opportunity to tour the renovated ‘Dome.’ For those coming from out of town, this will be their first time seeing The John Legend Theater.
Nick Lubbers will be attending that reunion. Lubbers took off for Louisiana to play college basketball after his graduation from South. He came back to Springfield after earning his degree, and created a life in the community with his family.
When the district offered public tours after the renovation of ‘The Dome’ was completed, Lubbers walked the newly-constructed halls and couldn’t help but feel proud.
“It was exciting to see South High rejuvenated and the Wildcats live on,” he said.
Whether it was wearing his No. 34 basketball jersey in the district title game or just learning the lessons of life — the former South building has always been a symbol of home.
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“Every time I drive by, I think about what happened to me at that school as far as growing up,” he said. “It’s still today a huge part of my life.”
The massive room where he sat through countless study halls and assemblies — now serves a greater purpose for a greater number of people.
“It’s a grand old building that’s given so much for so many years and continues through the John Legends of the world and community leaders who have visions to make things good for all of us.”
Half a century later, he’s still in awe of the building and the memories it holds — and the memories that will be created for upcoming generations because of the dedication of a community to preserve history.
“Whether you’ve got millions of dollars to contribute or a phone conversation like this to contribute,” Lubbers said. “When you evaluate the worth of those two things, when you’re talking about the heart — they’re pretty much equal.”
Staff Writer Katie Wedell contributed to this article.
By the numbers
$2.5 million: Cost of John Legend Theater project the old South High School
120: Number of events held at the new theater
$68,000: Amount of revenue generated by theater in first school year
The Springfield News-Sun has covered the reuse and renovation of the former Springfield South High School, the addition of the John Legend Theater and the impact on the community.
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