John J. Pruis Hall is a 640-seat venue that is well suited for various functions such as classes, convocations, conference activities, movies, and performing arts. Our staff is highly motivated to meet your event needs. Our aim is to provide exceptional service to ensure a positive outcome for your function. We encourage faculty, staff, student organizations, and the public to tour our facility.

Event Spaces and Policies

If you are solely using the Pruis Hall lobby, the load capacity may not exceed 150 people. The lobby has a total dimension of 3,051 square feet.

Download Lobby Diagram (PDF)

Pruis Lobby

The stage dimensions are as follows:

  • 53 feet wide (front half of stage)
  • 40 feet wide (back half of stage)
  • 30 feet deep (back wall to lip of stage)

total: 1,420 square feet

Download Stage/Seating Diagram (PDF)

Pruis Interior

Total seating capacity is 640 and the square feet totals 6,512.

There is additional wheelchair seating in front of the permanent seating.

Download Seating Chart (PDF)

Pruis Stage

There is a small hospitality area located just offstage, as well as a modest dressing room and private restroom facility.

Should you require additional dressing rooms or hospitality areas, arrangements may be made with neighboring facilities.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere in Pruis Hall or the adjacent buildings. Ball State University is a smoke-free campus.

Organizations may provide their own refreshments to performers/participants of the event.

If refreshments are offered to audience/patrons of the event, organizations must go through Ball State University Catering (765-285-3500).

Restrooms are located off the main lobby and in dressing rooms.

The following event supplies are available to use at no charge:

  • 6-foot tables (x7)
  • 8-foot tables (x6)
  • 3-foot table (x1)
  • 2-foot table (x1)
  • cocktail tables (x10) – Please call for availability.
  • white 6-foot tablecloths (x4)
  • maroon 8-foot tablecloths (x3)
  • maroon table skirts (x4)
  • silk plants
  • pipe and drape

If you are interested in reserving Pruis Hall for your upcoming event, please contact Terri Bryant at 765-285-5524 or email us to inquire about availability.

If you are a Ball State student group and have confirmed availability, please contact Natah Hughes at 765-285-1850 to complete a space requisition form. Departments can request a space requisition form from the Pruis Hall office to be completed and returned.

Schedule of Fees

Non-University Organizations

  • with admission to event – $350
  • without admission to event – $250
  • lobby only – $100

University Departments and Organizations

  • with admission to event – $150
  • without admission to event – free
  • lobby only – $50
  • student event staff – $8.75 per hour
  • professional technician – $37.20 per hour

Pruis Hall can provide a labor estimate prior to the event, based on the specified needs.

  • Non-University Organizations – $50 per hour
  • University Department and Organizations – Free (not to exceed three hours)

All merchandise sold is subject to 7% sales tax and 15% facility commission.

A $50 deposit is required to secure space. 

Free events will be subject to a $50 fee if notified within two weeks from the scheduled performance date.

Should you need to cancel a space reservation, please contact the Pruis Hall office.

Your deposit is non-refundable.

A $50 late reservation fee will be assessed to any organization reserving the facility less than 14 days prior to an event.

In-house sound system

Pruis Hall's in-house sound system provides a variety of resources to our patrons including:

  • five wired microphones
  • two wireless microphones (either handheld or lavaliere)

Overhead Projector

Pruis Hall provides an overhead projection screen and projector and is equipped with multiple devices including:

  • DVD player
  • VHS (with closed captioning capabilities)
  • PC or MAC with PowerPoint

Lighting capabilities

  • light board
  • spot light

Accommodations for event set up

  • one lectern
  • piano
  • chairs (x70)
  • stools (x3)
  • music stands (x84)
  • platform risers (x8)
  • silk plants (x4)