Renovations to Emens
President Jo Ann Gora announced plans to expand the Emens main floor lobby with
Better box office space
Bathrooms
A covered canopy for the circle drive outside
A second floor for meetings and offices
President Jo Ann Gora announced plans to renovate the lobby area of John R. Emens Auditorium at its 50th anniversary reception Tuesday.
The reception opened at 5:30 p.m. in the upper and lower lobbies of Emens and featured a commemorative violin created by Julie Borden, a nationally recognized instrument modifier, to be auctioned at the end of the year.
The event also included food, props from “Hello Dolly!” and speakers, including Gora; Dick Emens; the son of John R. Emens; Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler; and Earl Williams, former Emens director.
Gora announced plans to renovate the front lobby of the auditorium at the event.
Proposed renovations to Emens include improvements to the front face of the auditorium with an expanded lobby and restrooms on the first floor, more convenient box office access with additional queue space, a covered curb side canopy for the circle drive and an addition to the second floor covering the lobby for meetings and offices.
“Over the next several months, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary season, we will focus on its future with a university sponsored fundraising event,” Gora said.
On display in the middle of the upper lobby is the commemorative violin, with Emens as the inspiration for its colors.
“We gave Julie pictures of our seats and the wood paneling so she could match it on the violin,” said Kristi Chambers, an Emens marketing assistant.
To recognize the auditorium’s past, Dick Emens shared a few memories of his father and what he would think now.
“My father believed in the importance of Ball State having a strong relationship with the Muncie community,” he said. “My father would appreciate the fact that an idea he had nearly 70 years ago continues to benefit the university and the Muncie and central Indiana community.”
Chirley Lannun, a Muncie resident, has attended shows at Emens since it opened in 1964.
“I have had a ticket for almost every single Emens show over the past 50 years,” she said. “Rarely have I missed one.”
Lannun expresses her gratitude for the auditorium and the impact the programs have had in her life.
“Towns our size do not usually have such a lovely community auditorium,” she said. “We have a lot to be thankful for.”
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