Nebraska’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center is rolling out the red carpet in celebration of new theater chairs.

The campus movie theater will hold a reception and open house for the seat upgrade from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Ross and in the connecting Van Brunt Visitors Center. Completed during the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s winter shutdown, the renovation is the first since the Ross opened 16 years ago. More than 600,000 patrons have sat in the seats during the same timeframe.

The new seats are wider, offer extra cushioning and include in-arm cup holders.

The project was funded through a fundraising campaign that tallied $57,805 to cover the cost of 220 seats. The Ross continues to seek donations to fund 59 additional seats that remain unclaimed. The project is also funded by the Ross endowment at the University of Nebraska Foundation from the estate of Mary Riepma Ross.

The open house — which is free and open to the public — will include complimentary refreshments and preview of the upgraded seats. Tickets to afternoon screenings of “A Hidden Life” and “Waves” will be available for purchase.

The Ross reopens at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 with the London National Theatre Live’s production of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.” The production stars Sally Field and Bill Pullman. Opening Jan. 17 are Terrance Malick’s “A Hidden Life” and Trey Edward Shults’ “Waves.”

Both films are scheduled to show through Jan. 30.

Based on real events, “A Hidden Life” is the story of Franz Jägerstätter, an unsung hero who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. When Jägerstätter, an Austrian peasant farmer, is faced with the threat of execution for treason, his unwavering faith and love for his wife and children keep his spirit alive.

“A Hidden Life,” which is rated PG-13 for thematic material including violent imagery, shows through Jan. 30.

Trailer: "Waves"

Set against the vibrant landscape of south Florida and featuring an ensemble of award-winning actors, “Waves” follows the emotional journey of a suburban African-American family. Led by a well-intentioned by domineering father, the family navigates love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.

“Waves,” which is rated R for language, drug/alcohol use, sexual content and brief violence, shows through Jan. 30.

For more information, including show times, call 402-472-5353 or visit the Ross website.