Oklahoma Christian University’s Judd Theatre—home to great songs chapel, countless Spring Sing practices and the increasingly popular Cabaret show—will undergo a major renovation over winter break.
Alumni and donors across the nation contributed funds for the renovation to take place. According to music professor Heath Jones, the biggest change will include the building of a new stage to replace an old music pit.
“They had to rebuild the floor,” Jones said. “It used to have a pit where you could have instruments in it, but it never did work right. We’re getting this stage—it’s really expensive and really nice, too. It’s called Stagelam. They have it in some of the finest theatres. You can dance on it, like tap dance choreography. It’s good for drama—it’s good for all kinds of stuff.”
According to Jones, one donor purchased a Steinway piano for the theatre after taking him to the Steinway piano factory in her private jet. Some music students will have the opportunity to perform at Steinway Hall because of connections formed through the renovation process. Jones said he hopes other opportunities are provided for Oklahoma Christian music students through those contacts.
“Now we’re going to do this big cruise, and I just found out today—keep your fingers crossed—that a representative from Disney will be going with our group,” Jones said. “So, if that all comes together, it could be bigger.”
The theatre has already undergone some changes, including all new LED lighting, a fresh coat of paint and handrails to make the space safer for people with disabilities. Still, according to Jones, there is plenty of work to be done over the break.
“We’re waiting on carpets and seats and the floor over Christmas, because Cabaret starts rehearsing,” Jones said. “Right now, I think the day we are set for it all being done is January 10.”
Due to the success of the Cabaret show in past years, donors and alumni are willing to donate money to renovate the theatre, Jones said.
“Cabaret every year is getting bigger and better, and I’m really excited because we did four shows,” Jones said. “We moved from Adams Recital Hall to Judd and we sold out every show, so that was great. And then we took it to Houston, and the Lawson’s donated money to bring it to Fort Worth.”
Music major and Cabaret stage manager Patricia Jefferies said she is ready for the renovations, as they will make Cabaret more professional.
“We’re so excited,” Jefferies said. “[The renovations] will take the show to a whole new level. You don’t really think about it whenever you go into Judd that this needs some redoing or that it’s super old-looking. But the way that affects the show, I think it’ll just turn it into a whole new production and I’m really excited.”
Jefferies said she believes the venue makes a big impact on the Cabaret show, especially as the production continues to grow.
“It means so much to us that alumni have donated money,” Jefferies said. “Cabaret has been such a big deal in the past, but it’s just getting bigger and bigger. So, it’s nice when alumni who were maybe a part of Cabaret, or just the music department or Oklahoma Christian University in general, realize how big it’s gotten and how much it means to campus and the community. The fact that they’re willing to donate money to make such a great show is really awesome.”
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