The Imagine Foundation

WHAT IS A BLACK BOX THEATER? Literally speaking, it is a small and flexible performance space with black walls, a flat foor and moveable seating. But the magic of a blackbox theater is this minimalistic design. It facilitates maximum creativity and versatility. It provides students, teachers, actors and directors a physical space for total imaginative experimentation and transformation. They are popular in schools and univerisities because they are affordable and adaptive. Thankfully for the robust Oak Park and River Forest Huskie performing arts community, Project 3 will bring a new black box theater! See some examples of black box theaters below... #Imaginefoundation #OPRF #Project3 #performingarts #blackboxtheater

IMAGINE SPOTLIGHT II CHRISTINA WATERS Christina is a newly created Associate Board member, a group of sixteen emerging leaders connected and committed to the Oak Park and River Forest community. With over 40 years of experience in Oak Park, Clerk Waters has built deep, lasting connections across neighborhoods, schools, boards, and agencies. As Village Clerk, she actively fosters partnerships with local organizations and individuals while developing and overseeing impactful community programs. Her dedication to public service spans decades, including leadership roles on the Parks Foundation, Kinfolk CoLab, the Park District Citizens Committee, and the Oak Park Village Board. She has also strongly advocated education, serving on multiple Parent Advisory Boards and engaging deeply with local school districts. As Village Clerk, she works closely with Oak Park residents, neighboring community leaders, and elected officials to ensure that all voices are heard and community needs are met. Passionate about civic engagement, she champions initiatives that promote education and participation, strengthening connections within the Village government and the broader Oak Park community. Inclusivity has been the driving force behind Clerk Waters’ career. She remains committed to expanding Oak Park’s vision as a diverse, equitable, and welcoming community and continuing to make a lasting impact through collaboration, advocacy, and service. Christina Waters Heidi Ruehle Amy O'Dea Damonte Stogner Oak Park and River Forest High School #OPRFHS #oakpark #riverforest #imaginefoundation

PRELIMINARY PROJECT 3 (yes, three!) UPDATES ?????? Performing Arts will take the center stage in Project 3. The current 70-100 year old facilities at the southwest corner of the building will be replaced and refreshed. The new band, chorus and orchestra spaces will be bigger and better, and a new black box theater and stagecraft workshop will be added. The project will also bring permanent solutions for wrestling, gymnastics, cardio, trainer’s and adaptive gyms. A summary of the potential timeline for Project 3 is as follows: -Preliminary work and scope discussions (December 2024 - March 2025) -Scope development, programming discussions, schematic design and funding decisions (March 2025 - March 2027) -Design development and bidding (April - December 2027) -Construction (June 2028 - August 2030) The first and crucial step of this process is officially approving the Project Authorization for Project 3 to allow FGM to begin the planning and design! #TheImagineFoundation #Performingarts #Athletics #OPRF #OPRFHS #Upgradingschoolfacilities #Project3 Heidi Ruehle Amy O'Dea Damonte Stogner

IMAGINE SPOTLIGHT II CHIBUIKE ENYIA Chibuike is a newly created Associate Board member, a group of sixteen emerging leaders connected and committed to the Oak Park River Forest community. He is a lifelong Oak Parker, a first-generation American, and a dedicated public servant who has spent the past four years making Oak Park a more inclusive, engaged, and forward-thinking community. As a Community Engagement Manager for the Oak Park Public Library, Chibuike builds connections that strengthen our village. Whether expanding access to resources, fostering meaningful conversations, or advocating for community-driven solutions, his work is rooted in equity, inclusion, and collaboration. Before joining the library, Chibuike owned and operated a collegiate and professional sports videography firm, using his platform to advocate for representation and inclusion in athletics and business. His time in corporate management at multiple national telecom providers reinforced his commitment to mentorship, amplifying underrepresented voices, and ensuring everyone—especially those closest to the challenges—has a seat at the table. He's a former OPRF graduate who wrestled four years on varsity and two years on varsity football. Chibuike participated in Spoken Word while in high school and coached wrestling at OPRF. He was elected to the Oak Park Village Board as a Trustee in 2021, a position he currently holds. Heidi Ruehle Amy O'Dea Damonte Stogner Chibuike Enyia Oak Park and River Forest High School #OPRFHS #oprfhuskies #oakpark #riverforest #imaginefoundation

Check out a side by side comparison of a chemistry classroom updated in Project 1, and one of the original chemistry classrooms still in use today. The update enhances safety, accessibility, and collaborative learning. It has also given students access to new technology and a university-like classroom setting.

IMAGINE SPOTLIGHT II JAMES KELEHER James is a newly created Associate Board member, a group of sixteen emerging leaders connected and committed to the Oak Park River Forest community. He is an OPRF class of ‘01 alum and lives in Oak Park with his wife and three children. He owns a law practice in Oak Park and is very active in the community. Like many OPRF alums, he cherishes his time as a student there. Grateful for the support from the Oak Park and River Forest community, James felt inspired to join the Imagine Foundation. He is excited to contribute to this innovative project, which aims to fund public works through private donations. Heidi Ruehle Amy O'Dea Damonte Stogner James T. Keleher Oak Park and River Forest High School #OPRFHS #oprfhuskies #oakpark #riverforest #imaginefoundation

Imagine Foundation board member, Thomas J. Dwyer Jr., shares his enthusiastic support of our mission through his office décor! "I’m proud to be a Huskie and proud to be a board member of the OPRF Imagine Foundation! The Foundation has made great progress, but we are not done yet. We still need more community investment! Please contact me directly about how you can help." Thanks Tom! To learn more about Imagine, visit our website: imagine-foundation.org

If you are curious, here are 10 of our 16 associate board members + Amy O'Dea (Imagine's development coordinator) and Damonte Stogner (Imagine’s major gifts officer) at our latest meeting. Not pictured Christina Waters, Essence Harris, Chibuike Enyia, Brian Cuellar, Michael Raleigh, CFA, and Lauren White. One of our main activities as associate board members is to plan and support Imagine events. We have two upcoming! Hearts for Huskies (02/12)- a donation-doubling cocktail party hosted by Byline Bank. There will be an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and good company. Tickets are free and donations are excepted- for every dollar raised (up to $10,000), Byline Bank will match. https://lnkd.in/gyuZrYgz King of Hearts (02/14)- Associate Board member and OPRF alumni Donnie Biggins is hosting an event at Robert’s Westside, a live music venue and community gathering space. The event is inspired by a former OPRF dance, and a portion of every ticket sold will be donated to The Imagine Foundation. https://lnkd.in/gY3-w6tG Check out the links to these events for tickets and more information. Showing up is a meaningful way to support Imagine’s mission! #imaginefoundation #OPRFHS #oakpark #riverforest #localevents Rebecca Romano James T. Keleher Bjorn Vogen Andrea Schuler Darien Marion-Burton

If you are curious, here are 10 of our 16 associate board members + Amy O'Dea (Imagine's development coordinator) and Damonte Stogner (Imagine’s major gifts officer) at our latest meeting. Not pictured Christina Waters, Essence Harris, Chibuike Enyia, Brian Cuellar, Michael Raleigh, CFA, and Lauren White. One of our main activities as associate board members is to plan and support Imagine events. We have two upcoming! Hearts for Huskies (02/12)- a donation-doubling cocktail party hosted by Byline Bank. There will be an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and good company. Tickets are free and donations are excepted- for every dollar raised (up to $10,000), Byline Bank will match. https://lnkd.in/gyuZrYgz King of Hearts (02/14)- Associate Board member and OPRF alumni Donnie Biggins is hosting an event at Robert’s Westside, a live music venue and community gathering space. The event is inspired by a former OPRF dance, and a portion of every ticket sold will be donated to The Imagine Foundation. https://lnkd.in/gY3-w6tG Check out the links to these events for tickets and more information. Showing up is a meaningful way to support Imagine’s mission! #imaginefoundation #OPRFHS #oakpark #riverforest #localevents Rebecca Romano James T. Keleher Bjorn Vogen Andrea Schuler Darien Marion-Burton

IMAGINE SPOTLIGHT II ANDREA SCHULER Andrea is a member of the newly created Associate Board, a group of sixteen emerging leaders connected and committed to the Oak Park River Forest community. She is an OPRF class of 17’ alum who joined the Imagine Foundation to support those investing in the cornerstone of the OPRF community. To her, investing in the high school “creates a self-perpetuating force of good to be felt and shared among current and future OPRF residents.” She hopes to provide material support in communications outreach via platforms like LinkedIn and with event planning. Heidi Ruehle Damonte Stogner Amy O'Dea Andrea Schuler Oak Park and River Forest High School #OPRFHS #oprfhuskies #oakpark #riverforest #imaginefoundation