This fall, the spotlight wasn’t just on the stage; it was on the students behind it, beside it, and even above it. From marching bands performing at state championships to student-designed sets for The Little Mermaid and Larceny and Old Lace, Grayslake District 127’s fine arts programs are showing how creativity, curiosity, and collaboration come to life in powerful ways.
“We’ve always been busy in the arts,” said Henry Kappler, Department Chair of Fine Arts for D127. “But this year feels different. The energy is high, and the sense of purpose across our programs is incredibly strong.”
Across both Grayslake Central and Grayslake North, students are engaging in a wide array of artistic experiences: competitive marching band, choir festivals, musicals, art shows, and community gigs, sometimes all in a single week. Henry noted that both high school marching bands reached new heights this year, performing back-to-back at the University of Illinois’ State Marching Band Championship. For Central, it was a first-time appearance.
“It was a huge moment,” he shared. “Two bands, same stadium, performing back-to-back, the students felt that energy.”
That momentum carried into fall theater productions at both schools, each one a unique showcase of talent and teamwork. At Grayslake Central, The Little Mermaid brought together students from theater, choir, band, and visual arts in a full-scale musical featuring student-led lighting, sound, and set design. Meanwhile, Grayslake North delivered laugh-out-loud performances in their play Larceny and Old Lace, a comedy caper supported by student-driven lighting and sound design, costuming, scenic painting, and more. It was a vibrant example of how every element, from the tech booth to the stage, contributed to the storytelling.
The arts don’t just entertain, they empower. And in D127, they reflect the very heart of the district’s mission and Portrait of a Learner.
“We talk about curiosity all the time,” Henry explained. “In the arts, that means asking why we’re creating something, not just how. It’s about experimentation, iteration, and pushing yourself to try something new, even if it doesn’t work the first time.”
Students are constantly giving and receiving feedback, learning to work together toward a shared vision. Whether it’s a jazz band perfecting a solo or AP art students sharing critiques, collaboration is embedded in every part of the process.
One thing that sets D127’s arts programs apart is its “come one, come all” philosophy.
“If a student wants to try something, we’ll find a place for them,” Henry said. “We often see students discover talents and passions they didn’t know they had.”
That inclusivity fuels excellence, not despite having different levels of experience, but because of it. “It creates a culture of unity. We’re in this together, so let’s do it well, together.”
The year isn’t slowing down. Students from both schools are preparing for winter concerts, holiday performances, community art shows, and even statewide recognition. In January, several students will participate in the All-State Theater and Music festivals, a major honor for both the students and the district.
Henry also highlighted the district’s growing collaborations with feeder schools, including a creative project where elementary students submitted monster drawings that were then turned into professional-style artwork by high schoolers. “It’s about connection across grades, across schools, and across our community.”
In true Portrait of a Learner fashion, D127’s arts programs are never really finished; there’s always one more scene to build, one more brushstroke to add, one more student to support.
“I’ve never been more excited about where we are,” Henry said. “And we’re only just beginning.”