The Empty Space Theater
The Empty Space Theater is Babson’s premiere and faculty-led theater company sponsored by BabsonArts and the Division of Arts and Humanities.
“TEST is unlike any theatre experience I’ve had in the past. Working with a director and students that are as passionate about the stage as I am is the ideal environment to be in as an actor.”
– Baily Neben ’20
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.
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.
“TEST not only allows me to see how the performing arts work in a real world, professional setting, but it also emphasizes the importance of fun in a college environment through its improvisational comedy troupe, Student Against Gravity.”
– Beatrice Keyzer Pollard ’20
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)
Current Production
Altered States, directed by Beth Wynstra, offers a curated series of digitally presented, 21st-century monologues that demonstrate the complexity, creativity, and resilience of the human spirit when faced with extraordinary challenges. Both individually and together, these works deepen and enrich the ways we might think about change as we work our way through the altered states we live in right now. Altered States will be available for viewing on November 1st.
Past Productions
| 2019 | The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow by Rolin Jones |
| 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 |
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.
“Dramatic art requires critical thinking in order to create a whole new person on stage. This critical thinking can be transferred to the classroom and help to make you a more well-rounded student.”
– Yvonne Yankey ’16
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.
Contact Us
Become friends with The Empty Space Theater on Facebook or join our mailing list to be informed of upcoming auditions and opportunities.
Please email Professor Sandra Graham, or Professor Beth Wynstra for more information.