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Bell Cultural Events Center

Campus Facilities

About Us

The 40,000 square foot Bell Cultural Events Center is available for use by the surrounding community as well as the MNU campus community. This facility opened in 2007, and is used to showcase the talents of the MNU Fine and Performing Arts students and local artist and performing arts companies. You can rent many of the rooms within this state-of-the-art facility for events or performances. The menu below is included for your reference in planning your event at the Bell Cultural Events Center. To schedule your event, please contact the Bell Center at (913) 971-3640 or bellcenter@mnu.edu.

Ticketing

Students on stage performing a play

Tickets can be purchased online through the event listings, by calling the Box Office, or by visiting the Box Office one hour before the start of the performance.

To reserve tickets, payment must be received at the time of the order. We take cash, check and credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). We do have ticketed spaces available that are wheelchair accessible and will work with those who need special accommodation. The box office is open one hour prior to the start of the performance.

Seating Chart: Download

Refunds and Exchanges

Tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges may be made for tickets of equal or lesser value for events within the current season, subject to availability. Guests wishing to exchange may do so either in person or by phone.

Questions?

Please call 913.971.3636 or email bellboxoffice@mnu.edu and we will be happy to assist you.

Events

MNU Improv | Live Clue & Improv Show
Bell Cultural Events Center
Oct 25, 2025 @ 4:30pm
to Oct 25, 2025 @ 9:00pm
Join us for our annual Live Clue Fundraiser for MNU Theatre! Grab a partner (or come on your own) and explore Bell Center searching for clues in decorated and themed rooms and interacting with characters to solve the crime! You have 30 minutes to search for clues and may take as long as you want to solve the mystery, but the team who has the correct answers with the fastest times when the prizes!
MNU Theatre | Freaky Friday
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Nov 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
to Nov 15, 2025 @ 9:45pm
Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the novel by Mary Rodgers and the Disney films, is a heartfelt and comedic show that emphasizes the importance of family and respect for one another. Mom and daughter magically switch bodies, and they just have one day to put it all right again!
MNU Jazz Ensemble | Java Jazz 2025
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Nov 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
to Nov 19, 2025 @ 9:00pm
Java Jazz! Come hear big band jazz music performed by the MNU Jazz Ensemble. Relax in a comfy chair and enjoy a warm beverage and dessert. You won’t want to miss this event!
MNU Theatre | Student Directed One Acts
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
Nov 21, 2025 @ 7:30pm
to Nov 22, 2025 @ 9:30pm
Students in our Directing for Stage and Screen class present 10-15 minute one-act plays and films. All work is student-directed and performed! It is a fun evening showcasing our students in a variety of mediums and genres.
MNU Chamber Orchestra | Pops and Praise
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Nov 23, 2025 @ 3:30pm
to Nov 23, 2025 @ 4:30pm
The MNU Chamber Orchestra will be joined by the A Flat Youth Orchestra for a fun experience with the Pops ending with an anthem of praise through instrumental music.
MNU Improv 12/4
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
Dec 4, 2025 @ 7:30pm
to Dec 4, 2025 @ 9:00pm
The MNU Improv team presents monthly shows on campus. Games and lines are made up on the spot based on your suggestions!
MNU Festival of Christmas 2025
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Dec 6, 2025 @ 6:00pm
to Dec 7, 2025 @ 5:00pm
An MNU tradition—the powerful forces of the MNU Concert Band, MNU Choirs, and MNU Chamber Orchestra with members of the community present a festival of best loved Christmas carols and selections from Handel’s Messiah including audience sing-along moments.
MNU Theatre | 24 Hour Play Festival
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
Jan 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Jan 10, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Join us for the 24 Hour Play Festival! Watch as students and community members come together to write, direct, and perform original plays in just 24 hours!
MNU Improv 1/16
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
Jan 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Jan 16, 2026 @ 9:00pm
The MNU Improv team presents monthly shows on campus. Games and lines are made up on the spot based on your suggestions!
MNU Theatre | Theatre Cabaret
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Feb 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Feb 21, 2026 @ 9:45pm
This special performance is only presented every four years so don’t miss it! Our Theatre Cabaret features solos, duets, monologues, scenes, dance, and group numbers selected from many different plays and musicals. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our amazing students varied talents and see a wide range of material.

Directions

Bell Cultural Events Center at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) is located in Olathe, Kansas, just east of I-35. Approaching Olathe from either the north or the south on I-35, take the second Olathe exit which is Highway 150 or Santa Fe. Go east on Santa Fe. Continue on Santa Fe to Mur-Len. Turn south (right) on Mur-Len. Continue on Mur-Len to 139th Street (aka Pioneer Blvd). Turn right on 139th Street into the MNU campus. Bell Cultural Events Center is at the top of the hill on the right side.

Parking is available on the east, west and south sides of the building. There is also parking available on the north, south and east sides of Dobson Hall, the building just to the east of the Bell Cultural Events Center. Handicap parking is available on the east side of the Bell Cultural Events Center building.