RUDD AUDITORIUM

Rudd Memorial Chapel holds a special place at the heart of student and community life in Dayton, TN. Constructed in the late 1970s, she remains the only 800 seat venue in the immediate area with private dressing rooms, entertainment space, offices, and classrooms. She has played host to many events throughout the years from performing arts and corporate worship to the community ballet and December commencement. Over time, she has seen renovations come and go as needs arose—new paint, fresh carpet, and redesigns for classrooms.

Creativity breathes fresh life into everything it touches, and Rudd is no different. 10 years ago, several pieces of audio technology were donated to the chapel. With it came new sounds and new possibilities. As the auditorium continued to acquire new technology, professional artists performed for our students. The Hilltop Players explored innovative expressions of theater, and audiences experienced the imagination of the College.

In the winter of 2019, it became apparent that a stage lighting overhaul was long overdue. Through the efforts of Jim Kinser and Janice Pendergrass, we raised funds, removed old technology, implemented structural upgrades, and contracted Chattanooga Pro Audio, an audio/video company centered in North Georgia. Installation began in February of this year.

Every outdated incandescent stage light has been replaced with a 360 degree, full-motion LED from Chauvet Lighting. 22 new fixtures hang from the stage, casting full light and color anywhere and at any time. The Hilltop Players will use these to create scenes, moods, and special effects during their productions. Additionally, 4 oversized, full-motion spotlights now hang from the ceiling. These are especially beautiful during recitals, ensembles, and Chorale or Chamber Singer performances. A new 4k projector casts a brilliant image to the screen, allowing Worship Arts to create beautiful presentations for our corporate gatherings. Finally, everything is controlled by a touchscreen computer mounted in the balcony, creating complete flexibility for any performance.

The inaugural Rudd event after the installation was the piano ensemble’s murder mystery show, and students were able to make use of the new lighting in several other fine arts performances. For the last few weeks of the semester, we were finally able to hold chapel in Rudd again, and the new lighting system and projector accentuated the excitement of gathering together. Following the semester, Dayton Christian Ballet and Distinguished Women of Rhea County were able to use the new lighting.

At Bryan College, we seek to encourage creativity, and we are excited to better highlight everything that happens on the Rudd stage. This new installation is a beautiful extension of what Rudd Memorial Chapel has always been: a special blessing that Bryan College leverages for the Gospel of Jesus.

Stephen Powell

Event Services Technician