Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center

FAQ

• Customer FAQs

• D95 Parent FAQs

• Renter FAQs

• Student FAQs

• C.U.S.D. 95 employee FAQs

Customer FAQs

• Q: I lost an item in the PAC. How do I get it back?

  • A: It depends on the item and the event. If it is a rental event, (not a District 95 event) chances are your item is with company that rented the event as they are required to clean the space themselves.

  • A: If it is a District 95 event call 847-540-4625 and leave detailed information of the item including the section and seat you were sitting in.

  • A: If we found a cell phone in the space, we already called "home" and left a message.
     

• Q: How do I get tickets for an event?

  • A: A lot of District 95 events are free of cost and don't require a ticket. For example: choir, band, and orchestra concerts are always free. All other District 95 event ticket information can be found on the Events page of this website.

  • A: Tickets to non-District 95 events must be purchased through the producing body. That information can also be found on the events page.
     

• Q: How much is parking?

  • A: Free
     

• Q: Where are my seats?

  • A: If the event is a General Seating event, you may sit wherever you want. If your ticket has a section and seat number then check out our seating chart page.
     

• Q: How do I read my ticket?

  • A: Depends if the tickets are printed by the LZPAC. If we printed them then SW stands for Section West, SO=Section Orchestra, SC=Section Center, SE=Section East. Then row letter and seat number.
     

• Q: Why is there no row I?

  • A: Capital I in some fonts get confused with 1 and L. So to avoid confusion some theatres leave row I out.

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D95 Parent FAQs

• Q: I have a student in the LZHS drama program. Where do I find information about their schedule?

  • A: Visit the LZHS drama website, the link can be found to the left.
     

• Q: I attended the band concert last night and I can't find my (insert item here). I think I left it in the PAC.

  • A: The PAC gets a good cleaning after every event. Simply call 847-540-4625 and leave detailed information of the item including the section and seat you are sitting in.

  • A: If its a cell phone if we found it we called "home" and left a message.
     

• Q: I have a student that worked a choir, band, or orchestra concert. When should I come and get them?

  • A: They are required to help strike the event, which does not have a set time frame. They should call you when they are done.
     

• Q: How do I get one of those fancy name plates that are on the seats?

  • A: Name-a-seat was formed when the PAC opened to help pay for equipment and upkeep of the PAC. This fund has been used to purchase lighting instruments and wireless microphones.  Contact marcel.graham@lz95.org for a form.
     

• Q: How do I get invited to the LZHS Drama Departments Gala Celebration during the musical?

  • A: The Gala Celebration is put on for Patrons of the drama program. To donate to the Drama program contact marcel.graham@lz95.org
     

• Q: I would like to donate to the Technician Club at LZHS, how do I do that?

  • A: Contact marcel.graham@lz95.org
     

• Q: What door should I pick my student up from?

  • Door 15 closest to the PAC

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Renter FAQs

• Q: How much will it cost to rent the PAC?

  • A: This is not a cut and dry question. Just like a wedding reception, that answer depends on what you want, ie equipment and time. The biggest factor always ends up being time. Based on the fact that we rent by the hour, the more time you use, the more expensive your event becomes. When you put in a contract for use of the PAC, you will get an accurate cost estimate based on the information provided in the contract. If you go over the time frame you get charged for that extra time. If you don't use all the time, you only get charged for what time you use.
     

• Q: I want to sell concessions during our show. Can I sell them and how much extra will it cost me?

  • A: The sale of concessions is based on a show by show basis. The PAC coordinator needs to approve all sales in the lobby area. It is the renters sole responsibility to make sure the food and drink items stay in the lobby, because these items are prohibited in the PAC. If the sale is approved, there is not an extra charge.
     

• Q: I am a non-profit organization. What is the cost to use the PAC?

  • A: We work on a Class system. D95 is Class I, non-profit based within District 95 school boundaries. If you are not using the PAC for an event where tickets are being sold or fundraising is not the goal, it would be considered Class II. Class III would be all other request including if you are non-profit organizations outside of D95 boundaries or non-profit organizations who are selling tickets or fundraising as an objective. If you are class II your cost is considerably cheaper then class III.  If you have any question on what you would be contact the PAC manager.
     

• Q: How many lighting areas do you normally have?

  • A: On average, our rep. plot will have at least 20 to 25 lighting areas hung. We will also have 8 color scrollers, 2 gobo washes, 4 electrics of side lighting, and full set of cyc lights.
     

• Q: What about parking?

  • A: We have plenty of free parking in the PAC lot for your patrons.
     

• Q: How long do I have before I have to get my set out of the building?

  • A: Everything having to do with your show should be taken out of the building on the last day of your contract. We are not set up to store your equipment or sets. In extreme cases special requests can be made to the PAC manager.
     

• Q: How does rentals during a school day work?

  • A: Because the PAC parking lot is the High School's Faculty lot during the school day, PARKING IS A HUGE PROBLEM for day time rentals and special considerations must be taken before approving such an event. First all audience members must arrive at the PAC in busses. NO SINGLE CARS WILL BE PERMITTED. For more information ask the PAC manager.
     

• Q: What is the billing process?

  • A: Within a week of the last day of your event, the PAC Manager will turn in "Actual Hours" to the District office. Your final bill will be based on this information. If you used under the estimated hours, your bill will be less then the cost estimate. If you went over on hours you will be charge according to the time you used. You will be sent a bill that will give you usually about 30 days to pay.
     

• Q: I never put on a show before. What is the process?

  • A: Let us hold your hand through the process, our PAC manager has well over 20 years of professional theatre experience and he can walk you through the process.
     

• Q: When should I apply for my date/ how do I find out if a date is available?

  • A: The LZPAC is a district 95 facility. Being a district facility, we can only rent from school year to school year: July 1st to June 31st. D95 gets the first crack at all dates and put their requests in starting Feb of the previous school year. Around March 15th we start accepting applications for the next school year. For full information of the process call the PAC manager at 847-540-4625
     

• Q: When Advertizing what should be put on the poster?

  • All advertizing should have the location as the Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center and NOT Lake Zurich High School. Placing your performance at a high school does two things. First, it causes our phone to light up looking for tickets to your show and put undue stress to normal school operations. Second, it just sounds better! Do you want your audience to dress for a performance at the "High School" or the "Performing Arts Center"

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   Student FAQs

• Q: I want to start working in the PAC! How do I start?

  • A:  Our highly trained technicians are from the LZHS drama program. In order to work for the LZPAC all students must go through a rigorous training program then get hired through C.U.S.D. 95 before working on any show that is not a D95 event. We take a max of three new hires a year. To work for the PAC as a paid employee you need to have shown extraordinary skill in either lighting, sound, or fly. Judging by what the client needs are depends on how much you work. Lighting works the most, next fly, and finally sound. The PAC looks for students that can be place at any position. For more information contact Mr. Graham in the PAC
     

• Q: How do I join the drama program and learn what I need to know?

  • A: We usually start work at 3:30 after school. If we are working, the doors to the PAC will be open and usually music will be playing. COME ON IN! Everyone is welcome.
     

• Q: I have been doing sound/lights in church or community theatre since I was 5 years old. Can I have the sound/light position for the next show?

  • A: Though your knowledge may be vast, when you enter a new space there is always new equipment to be learned. We will not put a non-proven technician on a position if we are unsure of your skill level. If you are patient, work hard the jobs will come. Remember if you are a freshman, you have 12 LZHS productions to get a great position. If you are a Senior you have only 3.  To be fair to those who have waited, chances are the Senior will get the job. Just don't get discouraged, and learn as much as you can while you wait.
     

•  Q: How do I get information of meetings and such?

  • Most information will be in the morning announcement. Due to the school's restrictions on morning announcements we will not put in every work call but we will put in meeting and such. We also communicate over Facebook and Email. Just email marcel.graham@lz95.org for more info.
     

• Q: I have a masters degree in lighting design. Can I have a position now? (yes, it's been asked)

  • A: Yes, if be some miracle you just happened to get your master degree in lighting design I will be happy to give you a job. 
     

• Q: What days do you usually work in the PAC?

  • A: Something is going on in the PAC almost every day. During production for the drama program, we will work Monday-Saturday. Most work calls are flexible others like tech week are mandatory.
     

• Q: I am involved in several after-school activities and sports such as Cross Country, and I would love to add the drama productions to my list. What is the time commitment, and will I be able to fit it in?

  • A: Technical Crew is a HUGE time commitment, especially for the drama productions. We are here every day after school, sometimes until very late at night. Consider all other activities before you make this big of a decision, especially if you also have a job. Perhaps consider becoming involved in the drama production that is in a different season than your sport. For example, if you run Track, only consider the fall show.

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C.U.S.D. 95 employee FAQs

• Q: I want to host an event in the PAC. How do I apply for the space?

  • A: The PAC is a delicate balance of D95, LZHS, LZMS, elementary school and rental events. On average we do well over 250 events a year in the PAC. Due to high demand, the PAC will no longer accept requests for use of the space from individual teachers, counselors, coaches, or programs directors on a personal one-to-one basis. All requests must be made to the PAC Coordinator by an administrator from that district building. Have your administrator call 4625.
     

• Q: I work at Seth Paine or another D95 grade school. I will never get a date in the PAC for an event because the high school has the all the dates. Why can't I do my event there?

  • A: First of all, the PAC is a District 95 facility. Though it is located at the high school, the PAC is open for everyone. However, flexibility is the key. If you are flexible, you will most likely get in, but there are a few considerations that are taken into account: anticipated audience size, PAC man power/resources, and High School/Athletic events that will interfere with PAC parking.
     

• Q: When are dates accepted for the next school year?

  • A: March 1st through March 30th. Any request made after March 30th will not have D95 priority and will have to work around the entire PAC calendar to receive a date. However, we accept requests all year round.
     

• Q: I never put on a show before. What is the process?

  • A: Let us hold your hand through the process, our PAC manager has well over 20 years of professional theatre experience and he can walk you through the process. All D95 events are required to have an administrator present from the school that is putting on the production.
     

• Q: What should be the first question I ask myself before requesting the PAC?

  • A: How long will my production be? The PAC is a complex area and it requires at least 2 people to run most productions. The band shell in the PAC takes two people up to 2 hours to set up. It is not time effective to set up the band shell for a 15-20 minute concert.  

    • A v2.0: How many people will be attending the event? The PAC seats 679 people if your event has only 25 people coming the PAC is probably not the best venue for you event.

      • A v3.0: Can this event be held in a different location like the middle school? Like I said before, the PAC is a complex space. Even pulling the main curtain open requires strength most elementary school students could not manage.

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If there are any other question or think there should be a FAQ added then email marcel.graham@lz95.org