Arts Incubation

We believe in you

What is arts incubation?

Since 2016, our mission has been to incubate unique, inclusive performing arts opportunities that create joy and community for a variety of experience levels.

Our goal at Empire Arts Collective is not only to offer fun, unique arts programming to the Sacramento region, but to act as a resource for others who are looking to do the same thing.

Through our incubation arm, we’ve been able to nurture developing artists and provide one-of-a-kind arts programming to the Sacramento region.

Success Stories

Windhaus Improv

We are thrilled to announce that Windhaus Improv, our latest incubated project, has transitioned into an independent entity! Under the direction of Empire Co-Founder Jessilee Windhaus, our improv program was launched through Empire Arts Collective’s incubation initiative in 2022. Over its first two years, this program has given rise to the short-form improv troupe Sharks Barksley, and the monthly BIPOC improv drop-in workshop “Shades of Improv Fueling Transformation (SHIFT)” led by Betsaida Lebron. Additionally, Empire Arts Collective began partnering with Windhaus Improv in 2024 to offer improv classes to both adults and youth. In September 2024, Empire’s improv program made the transition to a fully independent organization under the name Windhaus Improv, LLC. This exciting change has allowed Windhaus Improv to expand its reach and develop new initiatives while maintaining the high-quality, community-focused approach that has defined it from the beginning.

Visit Windhaus Improv

Sacramento Pop Choir

Sacramento Pop Choir (formerly Empire Pop Choir) is our first incubated project to make the transition to become a fully independent organization. Under the direction of Empire Co-Founder Emily Perez and Heather Waid, Empire Pop Choir was launched through Empire Arts Collective’s incubation program in 2019. Since then, it has partnered with hundreds of singers of all experience levels to put on unique performances which helped raise funds to incubate future projects. In 2023, Empire Pop Choir made the transition to become an independent organization and changed its name to “Sacramento Pop Choir”. It is our hope that Empire Pop Choir will be the first of many projects that Empire incubates to serve our local arts community over the long term.

Visit Sacramento Pop Choir

"Once More, with Feeling"

One of our community members came to us with a novel idea. What if we produced a live version of “Once More, with Feeling,” the cult favorite musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Well, not only did everyone involved have a blast, but it turned out to be a great success. In fact, it became so beloved that we continued to produce this show annually from 2017 to 2021. This production enabled us to work with many new actors and designers just starting their careers and to mentor aspiring directors.

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