The Ravinia Festival, renowned for being the oldest outdoor music festival in the U.S., has officially announced its ambitious plan for a $75 million overhaul of its park and venues. According to a Broadway World report, the "Setting the Stages" campaign will kick off with a complete renovation of the Pavilion, which is poised to incorporate a new stage, seating, and state-of-the-art lighting, alongside improved acoustics. The extensive work will commence with infrastructure improvements, scheduled to conclude before the summer of 2025, when Ravinia will present its season from June 6 to August 31, with, the remaining work slated for post-season completion.
The project's timeline indicates that the Pavilion's remodel will finish by July 2026, at which point the venue will be known as the Hunter Pavilion, a tribute to a significant $10 million contribution from the Hunter Family Foundation. Additionally, the updated artist facilities will bear the name The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center after a $21 million donation from The Negaunee Foundation, as Fox 32 Chicago reports. Bill Hunter, representing the Hunter Family Foundation, lauded the festival's legacy, noting, "Ravinia has always been a cherished part of my family’s story," and emphasized the foundation's donation as a commitment to preserving the festival's blend of music, nature, and community for future attendees.
Lohan Architecture, which has its roots in the legendary Mies van der Rohe's studio, is at the helm of the Pavilion's design overhaul. The renovation plans promise an extensive update that will maintain the venue's historical character while elevating the overall experience for guests and artists. As part of the renovations, a deeper stage and better production and accessibility services will be added, according to Fox 32 Chicago. The artists' backstage experience will be enhanced with upgraded dressing rooms, warm-up rooms, and improved media production facilities, designed to accommodate both radio and TV broadcasts.
Jeffrey P. Haydon, President and CEO of Ravinia, underscored the Pavilion as the heart of the Ravinia experience, asserting that rehabilitation is pivotal for the festival's future. "Renovation of the Pavilion is essential to securing Ravinia's future and is the first of many exciting changes to come in the park," Haydon told Broadway World. Following this major phase, other spaces such as the Sandra K. Crown Theater, historic Martin Theatre, Bennett Gordon Hall, and the outdoor Carousel Stage will also see substantive updates, culminating in time for the festival's 125th anniversary in 2029.
The full lineup of performances for Ravinia's upcoming season will be revealed on March 13, and tickets can be purchased through the festival's website.
