Student Performance Center

Located on the lower level of the Little Building, the Student Performance Center (SPC) is a vibrant, student-driven creative space designed to support theater, live events, screenings, and collaborative projects.

Students work directly with professional lighting, sound, and staging systems, reshaping the space to support everything from rehearsals to full-scale performances. With two performance venues, studios, rehearsal rooms, a production space, and a bustling social lobby, it brings live performance and campus life together under one roof.

Judee Wales Watson Theater

The Judee Wales Watson Theater (The Judee) is the larger of the two primary performance venues within Emerson College’s SPC. Named in honor of Judee Wales Watson ’10, The Judee reflects her commitment to fostering artistic growth and performance among Emerson students.

The Judee is designed as a neutral black box space, which can be configured for seated performances of up to 150 people, open rehearsal layouts, film shoots, or event-style setups, making it adaptable to a wide range of student work. In addition to the capacity to host large-scale student events, the Judee also has access to dressing rooms and a green room.

Performance takes centerstage at the SPC, which features two primary venues—the Judee Wales Watson Theater and the SPC Black Box

SPC Black Box

The SPC Black Box is a flexible, multi-use venue designed to accommodate a wide range of artistic and academic activities. The venue regularly hosts rehearsals, workshops, student organization events, staged readings, and intimate performances, offering students a setting that supports both process and presentation.

The SPC Black Box fits up to 75 and is equipped with professional-grade theatrical lighting and audio systems, as well as flexible staging systems and a variety of furniture options.

Features

Capacity

  • Judee Wales Watson Theater: Up to 150 standing or 120 seated (varies by setup)
  • SPC Black Box: Up to 75 standing or 60 seated (varies by setup)

Flexible Configurations

  • Furniture and staging can be arranged for receptions, lectures, meetings, rehearsals, and productions
  • Spaces are restored to their standard setup after each event

Technical Control

  • Audio: Yamaha TF3 digital console
  • Lighting: ETC Ion Xe 20 (The Judee) and ETC Element 2 (SPC Black Box)
  • Additional Equipment: iMac with QLab and Tascam audio interface

Audio and Visual Capabilities

  • Full sound system with multiple microphone and line inputs
  • Handheld and lavalier wireless microphones
  • Live audio mixing and sound effects
  • Fixed LCD projectors and screens
  • Stage communication and call system
  • Video monitoring for the lobby and green room

Lighting

  • Professional theatrical lighting with conventional and intelligent fixtures
  • Customizable lighting arrangements using a full ceiling grid system

Judee Green Room

  • Adjacent green room available upon request
  • Two dressing rooms with full bathrooms and showers

Additional Spaces

  • Two Studios: Sprung floors, mirrored walls, and high ceilings for movement and rehearsals
  • Three Rehearsal Rooms: Ideal for script read-throughs and vocal or piano practice, with access to upright pianos
  • Production Space: Dedicated area for basic set assembly and preparation for performances in the main venues