2024/2025 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 2025/2026:

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.

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 12-15 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 23, 2025.

  2. Our current Board Members will review and select the best candidates to interview at our June Board Meeting (Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 11am).

  3. Final acceptance of approved board members will occur by mid-June 2025.

  4. New Board Members undergo an orientation in late-June, early July 2025.

  5. First Board Meeting: July 13, 2025 11am-1pm.


Our Current Board

Jeremiah Heitman
Executive
Director

Marina Gradowitz
Facilities
Director

Tessa Ogles
Director-At-Large

Azra Joy
Director-At-Large

Kristina Saldaña
Financial
Director

Ron Warren
Operations
Director

Jay-Ar Ignacio
Director-At-Large

Alex Wood
Director-At-Large

Claire Rock
Communications Director

Connor Putman
Personnel
Director

Kelsey Morrow
Director-At-Large

Grace Pierce
Jr. Board Member

Auria Shamblin
Jr. Board Member

Jesus Fidel
Artistic
Director

Nick Ono
Technical
Director

Oliver Love
Director-At-Large

Kayleigh Peaker
Director-At-Large