A roughly $1 million update to The University of Alabama’s Ferguson Student Center’s theater started in December 2018 with the goal of completion in May. Upon completion of the renovation, the University’s welcome center will move to the Ferguson Student Center and play a featured role at the entrance of the theater.
The information desk at the front of the theater will be staffed by admissions representatives during business hours. After those hours, the theater will be programmable space for students, faculty and staff to utilize for meetings and events.
When it reopens, the theater will be almost unrecognizable, as it has not been updated since its origination in 1971. The new look will feel very open, with an inviting glass front wall that will provide more light in the new lobby. Additionally, the lobby will feature new graphics to welcome visitors to campus.
“With the renovation comes so many new opportunities for us to welcome new students with the welcome center,” said Dana Bonifacio-Sample, director of the Ferguson Student Center. “From the first time a new student steps foot on campus, we are going to be providing a true Capstone experience with these updated facilities.”
The theater itself will have a brand-new look with 410 new seats, a new audiovisual system including a Christie 16,000 lumen laser projector, a new 20-foot projection screen, all new speakers, microphones, and stage and house lighting.
“Our student organizations and departments will also have a facility that works for them and is exciting for them to use,” Bonifacio-Sample said. “I’m excited about the overall package. When you walk into the theater, everything will be new.”
Dr. Rick Barth, assistant vice president for enrollment management, said the updates are a great first impression for future UA students.
“Our campus visitation team is very excited about this move as it will provide our prospective students and their families a true sense of the energy on campus,” said Barth. “The Ferguson Student Center provides us the opportunity to start a family’s visit in the heart of campus and allows our guests to be among our current students and the activities that transpire in the student center.”
The renovation has already sparked a few changes to a popular building entrance closest to the theater. The Ferguson Student Center’s east entrance, directly facing Houser Hall, is no longer ADA accessible. Anyone needing ADA accessible entrances should use the main entrance from the Crimson Promenade through the Great Hall or the entrance between the Supe Store and Starbucks on the ground floor.