The Black Box Theater (or BBT) was originally built to be a lounge and arena space centered around esports and gaming culture. A collaboration with the now defunct OU IT One U Store and Now Director Mike "Moog" Aguilar.
The purpose of the space was to serve the natural need for a storm shelter in a living space, but also be a gaming focused lounge and arena space for events centered around gaming and esports. Shortly after the plans were discussed and finalized the 3rd party developer dropped the project failing to understand the intent or value.
In Fall 2018, The Cross Village Apartments opened for the first time and the Black Box Theater was revealed to have been built regardless of the previous statements and stop of all communications on the specific part of the new complex.
Today, the Black Box Theater is a reservable space open to the campus for booking with OU ECCI using it heavily for showcase events, tours, and event hosting centered around gaming and esports needs and culture.
When we designed this 2500sq. ft. space we intentionally wanted the ability to host LAN events for console and PC and this space has one of the most robust electrical infrastructures on campus. Additionally, we wanted the ability to have enough electrical options resulting in wall outlets about every 6-8 feet around the circumference of the room for easy wall console placement. People? We added modular seating and platforms to be able to have different configurations for spectators. Additionally, connectivity was critical with the space fully outfitted with over 20 active ethernet ports with a fiber backbone. Lastly, we needed AV outfitted with a full PA system, 2 wall mounted TVs and a full retractable screen and projector.
We can manage and host your events in our venue or leveraging various locations across campus like the Black Box Theater. If you need a gaming or esports centered event for your student org, need production for your live event through live stream services, or just want to use our gaming venue click the link below to start a consultation.
If you're interested in booking our staff and resources to put on a gaming, esports, or production based event then head to our facilities page where you will find our reservation page.
Start Your Reservation with us!
If you are interested in hosting your own private event WITHOUT US (Campus departments, Student Orgs, Interest Groups) then head to OU's Reservation Portal
From watch parties to mixers and gaming tournaments to meetings, we leverage the BBT when we need more space than our complex spaces can afford. This serves as an extension of our gaming venue on the other side of Cross Village when we need a space to showcase an event.
Over the years we have hosted entire high school esports programs for tours as well as youth based programs like OKC Police Athletic League to provide context, inspire, and grow acceptance of the topic and establish a growing pipeline for the topic.
We originated our version of bedlam with Oklahoma State students in November 2018 right after Cross Village opened for the first time that semester with the same culture of alternating campuses and a theme, "Traditions Evolved, Rivalries Maintained".
As we continue to build our programs up this means we also have student staff that can manage event logistics, production to live interactive media platforms, and coordinate with campus resources for security, IT support, and event facility. The picture used here was an EA Sports sanctioned Madden 2024 tournament with a $30,000 prize pot for example.
OU Esports:
OU Gaming Club: