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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

Olathe's Got Talent 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Jan 31, 2026 @ 7:00pm
to Jan 31, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Olathe’s Got Talent is designed for individual students who want to showcase their talent in a local talent competition. Over $11,000 in scholarships to be awarded by local businesses. Two special scholarships may be available through JCCC and/or MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) for students with an interest in attending those institutions.
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.
MNU Improv 2/28
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
Feb 28, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Feb 28, 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 Chamber Orchestra | A New Beginning
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Mar 1, 2026 @ 3:30pm
to Mar 1, 2026 @ 4:30pm
MNU’s Chamber Orchestra will feature the winner of our 1st annual concerto competition in a joint concert with the Olathe Community Orchestra.
MNU Concert Band | From Sea to Sky
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Mar 7, 2026 @ 6:00pm
to Mar 7, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Experience an evening of captivating music, featuring compositions inspired by God’s creation. From Sea to Sky will include renowned composers, Grace Baugher Dunlap, Viet Cuong, and Cait Nishimura, among others. There’s also a rumor that music from a classic film score involving battles in outer space might also be heard…come to find out!
MNU Choirs | Messiah
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Mar 8, 2026 @ 3:30pm
to Mar 8, 2026 @ 4:30pm
Join us for a stirring full performance of Handel’s timeless masterpiece, Messiah—the greatest story ever told, brought to life through one of the most beloved musical settings of all time.
MNU Theatre | Charlotte's Web
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
Mar 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Mar 29, 2026 @ 4:00pm
Watch this beloved children’s novel by E.B. White and adapted by Joseph Robinette come to life on the stage. Featuring all your favorite characters, Charlotte’s Web will be a heart-warming performance enjoyable for the whole family! The Sunderland Black Box Theatre will be transformed into a barnyard where you can watch Wilbur and Charlotte’s story unfold.
MNU Percussion Ensemble | Percussion Show 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Apr 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Apr 11, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Enjoy an evening of percussive music, featuring the MNU Percussion Studio. They will perform a variety of percussion ensemble pieces including mallet and battery instruments, drum set, and even your MNU Drumline! You won’t want to miss this exciting performance.
MAX Improv 4/16
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Apr 16, 2026 @ 9:00pm
to Apr 16, 2026 @ 10:30pm
The MNU Improv team presents monthly shows on campus. Games and lines are made up on the spot based on your suggestions!
MNU Jazz Ensemble | Jazz-a-Que 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Apr 18, 2026 @ 6:00pm
to Apr 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
We're excited to announce our annual Jazz-a-Que at MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday, April 18, featuring the MNU Jazz Ensemble. A barbeque meal will accompany the entertainment, with proceeds supporting our instrumental music program.

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.

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.