2023/2024 Board of Directors
Run by a board of directors consisting of dedicated members of the community, The Empty Space has grown into one of the premiere places to view live theatre in Kern County. Our all-volunteer Board is comprised of experienced individuals who support TES with their time and talents. To learn more about our board members, please click on their individual pictures below. We are dedicated to bringing the experience of live theatre to as many people as possible, along with the help of our supportive and generous community.
Our board of directors holds yearly elections for new board members. Beginning each year in April, a call to new board members will be released through our public relations outlets. All applicants must submit a letter of intent along with a professional resume. Final candidates will be asked to attend a board meeting in May or June before the board makes their final selections. Tenures run for a period of one year from July-June and include a variety of positions and responsibilities.
CALL FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS: 2024/2025
Would you like to join our Board of Directors? The Empty Space is looking for individuals who are passionate about the arts, have some time and skills to share with a worthy organization, and are invested in their community.
We are an active, working volunteer Board with members from all areas of the arts, as well as many levels of the Bakersfield community. We are looking to fill 4-6 seats on our Board of Directors with community members who believe in our mission and can help keep The Empty Space running daily and thriving well into our future.
The Empty Space is at a pivotal moment and has many positions open for the 2024/2025 year, so visit us at esonline.org/ourboard to see all the opportunities we have to offer new board members!
Duties & Responsibilities of a TES Board Member:
1. Collaborate with the board of directors to implement our mission and operation standards and create new ways to improve our organization.
2. Assist in increasing visibility of our work.
3. Include The Empty Space in your personal philanthropic priorities.
4. Devote an average of 15-20 hours of volunteer commitment each month, which includes attending monthly board meetings, serving as house staff for performances and events, and helping to maintain the physical facilities on a weekly basis.
So You Want to Join, What's Next?
1. Please complete and submit a short board application by May 31 at 9pm. You can find applications at the link above. Please include your working resume.
2. Our current Board Members will review and select the best candidates to interview at our June Board Meeting (Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM).
3. Final acceptance of approved board members will occur by mid-June 2022.
4. New Board Members undergo an orientation in late-June, early-July 2022.
5. First Board Meeting: July 14, 2024 at 11:00AM.
Our Current Board
Jeremiah Heitman
Executive Director
Emily Thompson
Personnel Director
Stevie Mcnabb
Director-At-Large
Tessa Ogles
Director-At-Large
Oliver Love
Director-At-Large
Kristina Saldaña
Financial Director
Ron Warren
Operations Director
Elyse Holladay
Facilities Director
Jay-Ar Ignacio
Director-At-Large
Kailey Keeten
Director-At-Large
Connor Putman
Director-At-Large
Jesus Fidel
Artistic Director
Claire Rock
Communications Director
Nick Ono
Technical Director
Alyssa Rocha
Director-At-Large
Marina Gradowitz
Director-At-Large