Kimmel Theatre on the Midland University campus will undergo a major renovation this summer thanks to a pair of generous donations.

Grants from the Immanuel Vision Foundation and the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation will allow for several improvements to the theatre.

The upgrades, totaling nearly $400,000, will include a new LED lighting system, new curtains, carpet replacement, new seating, a new laser projector and computer, and other technology upgrades.

Keaton Kreikemeier, Director of Fine & Performing Arts, said work is expected to begin later this summer, with completion sometime in early 2027. He said the renovations will not impact the performance schedule at Kimmel.

“We are so thankful for the Immanuel Vision Foundation and the Kimmel Foundation for these grants,” Kreikemeier said. “This will help the overall experience for both our students and our patrons. It will also allow students to work with more relevant and updated equipment that will help them if that is an area they want to utilize in the future.”

Kimmel Theatre supports a wide range of campus and community activities, including theatre and vocal productions for Midland students, lectures, guest speakers, campus visits, and theatre and arts camps for high school students. 

“We are so grateful that these organizations share our vision of improving the campus experience and environment for our students,” said Laura Jensen, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Midland. “Kimmel Theatre is a vital part of the Midland campus, as well as the Fremont community, and this project will allow our students and staff to work with reliable, safe, and efficient equipment to enhance the teaching and performance quality.”

These renovations will have a community-wide impact. Over the past year, more than 3,500 patrons attended 60 performances at Kimmel Theatre, and more than 1,500 high school students participated in arts camps and other youth programs.

“We are very grateful to the Institutional Advancement team for all their work on this project, as well as the work done by the entire Fine & Performing Arts staff,” Kreikemeier said. “None of this would have been possible without them.”