The Empty Space Theater

The Empty Space Theater (TEST) is Babson’s premiere, faculty-led theater company cosponsored by BabsonArts and the Division of Arts and Humanities.

TEST’s objective is to produce socially relevant, thought provoking and compelling plays and musicals. All TEST productions are directed by Babson faculty members or theater professionals, and we seek to strengthen and formalize curricular ties, making the classroom-to-theater experience highly integrated, intellectually and artistically challenging, and rewarding to both participants and audiences.

"For me, TEST was an amazing space to express myself, tell stories, and build friendships. Moreover, it is simply such a supportive community where everyone is welcome. With so many talented artists, it shines as a hub of creativity across campus. I am so proud of this program, and I was honored to be a part of the TEST family."

Kellen Harrison '23

What We Do

TEST produces two full-scale performances each year and sponsors several workshops, staged readings, and master classes throughout the fall and spring semesters. TEST also supports and facilitates the integration of performing arts into course curricula.

Faculty members who direct TEST productions teach theater and music courses at Babson such as:

Fundamentals of Acting and Improvisation
Global Pop
Dramatizing the American Dream
Constructing and Performing the Self
African American Music in the United States
European Theater in Theory and Practice (abroad course)
Politics and Performance in San Francisco (abroad course)

Tickets Now Available

Thursday November 2 & Saturday November 4, 7:00 PM & Friday November 3, 2:00 PM; General Admission $15 Babson faculty/staff $10 Students $5, Carling-Sorenson Theater

Kingdom City investigates the significant consequences when art, religion, sex, and censorship intersect in a small Midwestern town. When displaced New York director Miriam finds herself in Kingdom City, Missouri, she reluctantly agrees to direct a high school production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. As the play unlocks and parallels the students’ repressed desires, a local youth minister threatens to cancel the play, creating a firestorm where first loves and First Amendment rights collide.

Get Tickets Now

Current and Past Productions

Current Production: Kingdom City by Sheri Wilner

Past Productions

2022	Storying Our Selves: A Night of Original Solo Performance
2020	Altered States: A Digital Theater Production
2019	The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow by Rolin Jones Storying Our Selves: A Night of Original Solo Performance
2018	The Love of the Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker
2017	Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris
2016	Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl Storying Our Selves: A Night of Original Solo Performance
2015	Falsettoland by William Finn and James Lapine Provincetown Four (four one-act plays: Suppressed Desires, Freedom, Lima Beans, Constancy)
2014	Urinetown by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis Midsummer: A Play With Songs by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre
2013	Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? by Edward Albee
2012	Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl Working by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso
2011	The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Group

“TEST provided me the opportunity to explore theater through a different lens during its digital production of Altered States. They were able to pivot and provide me with an outlet to express my creativity in the midst of Covid.”

Nikki Phillips '23

Cast members and Artistic Director, Prof. Beth Wynstra, discuss the 2017 production of Clybourne Park

How You Can Get Involved

Audition

We are always looking for actors, singers, and dancers as well as musicians for our fall and spring productions as well as for staged readings and workshops.

Work behind the scenes

TEST seeks to give participants a full theater experience where they can contribute as directors, stage managers, lighting designers, costumers, or dramaturges.

Take a class

We also encourage you to explore theater and dramatic literature in your course work.

The Empty Space Theater