That man in the booth: Meet Jody Ely

For the past 25 years, Jody Ely has quietly made sure EVERY performance in the Walter Arts Center can be seen, heard and enjoyed.

Using a language that no one here does — Gobo, Flat, Spike, Legs, Traveler, and Gaffers Tape — he educates students and teachers alike every day. 

Gobo is not the name of a band from the 80s, but a thin metal-etched plate that is projected from a lighting instrument to create a specific image or effect. And, while a Traveler can be a member of a community traditionally having an itinerant way of life, it can also mean a curtain operating on a horizontal track, positioned at mid-stage of a theater. 

Mr. Ely, Technical Director of the Walter Arts Center, has been behind the scenes and in the technical booth for all of the middle and upper school theatrical productions, commencements, convocations, Fairy Tale plays, Reptile plays, concerts, dance programs, rentals, guest speakers and faculty meetings since he came to Holland Hall in 1999. It is safe to say Mr. Ely has facilitated hundreds of events and performances on the Branch and Newman theater stages, each needing different levels of technical assistance and support.  

After getting his degree in from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., Mr. Ely started graduate work at Pittsburg State University, where he met his future wife and followed her to Tulsa.

He joined Holland Hall after a stint as the stage manager for the Tulsa Philharmonic and working with the IATSE, a theatrical stage employee union.

Mr. Ely’s responsibilities provide him the opportunity to work with students, faculty and parent volunteers from every branch of the school, maintain and operate close to 1,000 different technical lighting instruments, AND enough sound equipment to stage a rock concert.  

He also teaches courses in Technical Theatre, which equip students with the skills needed to assist with the running of lights, sound and technical aspects of our on-stage productions. Some of these students have gone on to pursue technical theater as a profession and are working at colleges, professional theaters or touring with performing artists. 

If you are not a “theater person” you probably don’t realize the complexity of lights and sound cues required for even the most basic of productions, or the amount of planning and precautions that need to be taken to make performance venues a safe environment for students of all ages. 

“He’s the invisible man,” said longtime faculty member Richard Spencer, who Mr. Ely calls a favorite co-worker. “He is the force behind everything that happens in the WAC. He’s the magician who allows the magic to happen.” 

The Walter Arts Center is a space utilized by every student and branch on campus during the school year and Mr. Ely is the driving force behind making these spaces a place where all can feel free to give their best performance. You might not always see him, but you can always count on him being in the booth!

Get to know Jody Ely

Family: A wife of 40 years and two grown children

Memorable student: Josh Boatman ’16, who is currently on tour with “Hamilton”

Favorite meal: Crab legs with a baked potato and salad at White River Fish Market

Favorite movies: “Ocean’s 11,” “Ocean’s 12” “Ocean’s 13.” “John Wick” 1-4, and “eagerly awaiting ‘John Wick 5’”  Any Pixar movie and most Disney animated movies

Favorite movie snack: Caramel corn and black coffee

Currently reading: “Last Argument of Kings,” book three in a series from Joe Abercrombie

Favorite band: Chicago

Currently listening to: Jazz, especially The Rippingtons

Favorite sport: Formula1,  Williams Racing – UK, Mercedes AMG, Ferrari and Mclaren

Favorite sports teams: OKC Thunder, Denver Broncos, and the Kansas City Royals

Favorite trick to make a performance shine: Making LEDs do special effects.

Best place on campus: “The catwalks are where you can find me,” high above the theaters of the Walter Arts Center. “It’s always quiet, and there’s always something to do.”