Dedication; Doug Ingalls Black Box Theatre.

Byline: Sandy Meindersma

HOLDEN - Despite several delays, the Black Box Theatre at Wachusett Regional High School officially opened in the name of its visionary, Doug Ingalls, at a dedication ceremony Jan. 5.

In addition to being named after Mr. Ingalls, the theater will feature a bronze plaque with a photo of Mr. Ingalls outside its entrance.

More than 200 people - students, parents, alumni and faculty - attended the dedication ceremony to say thank you and pay tribute to their beloved teacher and friend.

Mr. Ingalls taught English and drama at Wachusett Regional High School from 1996 until his death June 13, 2009.

The Doug Ingalls Black Box Theatre will be used by the music, arts and drama departments for smaller performances than those put on in the main auditorium.

"Now everyone will know there is a theater in this hallway," John Scannell, president of UPSTAGE, the parents' organization that supports the drama club, said. "This is a fitting tribute. Doug was the driving force behind the black box theater during the renovations."

In addition to proposing that a black box theater be included in the arts wing of the school as part of the school's recent expansion and renovation project, Mr. Ingalls lobbied on its behalf with the school committee when concerns about rising construction costs put the theater on the chopping block.

"Doug was willing to challenge the students to do their very best," Margaret Watson, chairman of the Wachusett Regional School Committee, said. "It (Naming the theater for him) memorializes the work of Doug Ingalls."

Bruce Adams, Mr. Ingalls' partner, reminisced about the design of the theater. "`So, you want the stage over here?' `No,' Doug said, `it's a box.' `So we're going to paint it gray?' `No,' he said, `it's black.'"

"Publicly, Doug would have said that this is not necessary, that's it's all about the kids," Mr. Adams said. "Privately, he would have been tickled, and deeply honored."

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