Production still: Laurie Anderson in residence in 2022 working on her new project, ARK in the EMPAC Theater.
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 EMPAC-curated events are open to Rensselaer students at the price of $6 (discounted from the public price of $20) and free admission is available to classes that integrate the programming into their curricula, and to members of the EMPAC + program. Tickets for non-Rensselaer students are available at the discounted rate of $15. Talks and many other events are free.
Class Attendance to Events
Professors may receive free admission for their classes to any event they incorporate into class curricula. Request Tickets.
We invite all Rensselaer students to delve deeper into the experimental media and performing arts. By signing up for the EMPAC⊕ program at the box office, you'll receive free admission to all EMPAC-curated events during your time in school.
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:
Stage Technologies
Come work with EMPAC’s Stage Technologies team on a variety of tasks including: setting up chairs and tables; assisting with the construction and assembly of staging, scenery and audience seating configurations; hanging and focusing stage lighting equipment; programming computerized lighting consoles; and much more.
Artist Services
Our Artist Services team has multiple tasks available if you have time! We need help with maintaining EMPAC back of house spaces and hospitality areas, checking guests in to campus residential housing, and shuttling guests to/from campus, train stations, airports, and short errands around town! Clean driving record is mandatory.
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.
Students employed in stage technology helping lighting tech Alena Samoray hang and focus lights above the concert hall in 2016.
Patrick Quinn's pass•age installed in studio 1 as one of the arts department seven slots in 2019. Photo: Shannon K. Johnson/EMPAC.
Our Town, A contemporary, multimedia reimagining of Thornton Wilder’s classic play, this 2017 production was a collaborative effort by the RPI Players, EMPAC, and Arts faculty Rebecca Rouse.