Image
a woman in a white draped sheet points into the venue, a single spotlight behind her illuminating her like an angel in the darkness

Production still: Laurie Anderson in residence in 2022 working on her new project, ARK in the EMPAC Theater.

Photo: Alvis Mosley/EMPAC

Students at EMPAC

From student work to research and performance opportunities, extracurricular clubs to special events, EMPAC offers a range of ways for Rensselaer students to be involved.

Attending Events

Student Event Admission

All events of the EMPAC curatorial program are open to Rensselaer students at the reduced price of $6 for advance tickets and free rush entry for shows not sold out in advance.

Tickets for non-Rensselaer students are available at the reduced rate of $15.

Talks, tours, and work-in-progress events are always free to attend.

Class Attendance to Events

Professors receive free admission for events they incorporate into course curricula. Request Tickets.

EMPAC PLUS

We invite all Rensselaer students to delve deeper into the experimental media and performing arts. By joining the EMPAC⊕ discord, you'll gain access to a vibrant community of like-minded peers and will be the first to know about special opportunities exclusively for Rensselaer students.

Working at EMPAC

A large number of student workers support EMPAC’s operation in the box office, as ushers, and with the various production (video, audio, IT, stage, lighting), administrative (artist services, design/marketing), and curatorial teams. EMPAC is one of the largest employers of students on the Rensselaer campus and uses an apprenticeship model to train student workers.

Current openings:

Artist Services

Artist Services Driver Do you enjoy driving and are over the age of 21? If so, join our Artist Services team to help shuttle guests to/from campus, train stations, airports, and for short errands around town in EMPAC’s van! We also offer shifts for maintaining EMPAC back-of-house spaces and hospitality areas, and checking guests in to campus residential housing.

Interested in working with us? Let us know.

Academic Support

Department of the Arts

Each year, the Rensselaer Department of the Arts programs seven productions utilizing the infrastructure and support of the production teams at EMPAC. These productions often include final graduate thesis projects that are developed in the venues themselves.

The Rensselaer Orchestra uses the EMPAC Concert Hall as a rehearsal space and presents a concert here toward the end of each semester.

EMPAC curators often participate in critiquing graduate student work. Additional meetings and workshops connecting artists-in-residence with classes in the arts department are taking place every semester.

In coming semesters, the professional audio production staff and environment will be integrated into specific projects within audio technology classes in the department.

Art_X@Rensselaer

As a part of the Rensselaer initiative to integrate art across the institute’s curriculum, EMPAC hosts interdisciplinary Art_X classes taught by faculty who use the EMPAC-curated program as an artistic and experiential part of the class’s specific topic of inquiry.

Research

Students are often involved with research projects conducted by Rensselaer faculty using EMPAC infrastructure.

Extracurricular Clubs

Outside of events, productions, and classes, EMPAC is a meeting place for student groups.

PULSE

The People Using Live Software and Electronics (PULSE) working group and lab is a forum for students interested in producing live audio by experimenting with musical hardware and various digital audio workstations (DAWs). The lab culminates in a performance hosted by EMPAC at the end of each semester.

Facilitated by Jonathan Givan, PULSE meets every Wednesday, 5–7PM in EMPAC Studio Beta.

To get involved or for more info, please contact Jonathan.

Media