Emens Auditorium printed ephemera

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RG-08-08-07

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes booklets, brochures, posters and programs from Univeristy Office of Business Affairs in Muncie, Indiana ranging from 1963 to 2009 regarding Emens Auditorium productions.

Dates

Creation: 1959-2016

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Ball State University, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Archives and Special Collections.

Historical Note

Emens Auditorium is named after Ball State University's sixth president, John R. Emens (1945-1968), who envisioned an an auditorium "large enough to house most college functions as well as major symphonies, Broadway productions, ballets, and othe forms of entertainment for Muncie and east central Indiana audiences."

Planning for the auditorium was underway in 1947 but was not erected until 1961 and later opened its doors on March 14-15, 1964 for a sneak preview and was officially dedicated later that year on October 25th.

Emens Auditorium seats more than 3,500 patrons, and by its 25th Anniversary had already entertained more than 3.6 million people. The auditorium is famed for legendary acoustics, scalloped ceilings, and state-of-the-art sound capabilities.

Renowned performers such as Louis Armstrong, David Copperfield, Adam Sandler, B.B. King, Dixie Chicks, David Letterman, President Gerald Ford and David Letterman are just a few to grace the stage. Other incredible performances include the musicals Cats and Les Miserables.

Each year Emens Auditorium draws in large crowds and notable performances through its annual Artist Series.

Extent

0.6 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically in the following subseries:

Subseries 1: College-Community Auditorium Series programs, 1959-1964

Subseries 2: Emens Auditorium Artist Series brochures, 1998-2009

Subseries 3: Emens Auditorium Artist Series programs, 1964-2004

Subseries 4: Emens Auditorium Concert Series brochures, 1965-1994

Subseries 5: Emens Auditorium Concert Series programs, 1964-1986

Subseries 6: Emens Auditorium Artist and Concert Series brochures, 1971-2005

Subseries 7: Emens Auditorium booklets, 1964

Subseries 8: Emens Auditorium brochures, 1964-1999

Subseries 9: Emens Auditorium posters, 2001-2002

Subseries 10: Emens Auditorium programs, 1964-2000

Custodial History

This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation from the Office of University Office of Business Affairs.

Accruals

Further additions are expected.

Bibliography

College-Community Auditorium Series Bulletin regarding the transition from Assembly Hall to Emens Auditorium and establishing the Delaware County Arts Council.

College-Community Auditorium Series Bulliten. Dec. 1, 1962, Emens Auditorium printed ephemera, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries.