The Experimental Stage (ES) was started in 1992, by Dave Ortiz and Ben Beadoin, as a private event in the UMass Dartmouth dorms. It was a creative outlet where poetry, music, and performance could happen freely. As the word got out, the small event grew. More and more students started to attend and participate.
Eventually, the Experimental Stage outgrew the dorms, and improviser/performer Derek Breen worked to get ES recognized as an official student organization. This allowed the gatherings to take place outside of the dorms in bigger areas that could support the larger groups.
Anyone could be a part of the Experimental Stage. All they had to do was attend but you never really knew where or when the next ES was going to be. There was a mysterious underground feel to the events. Part of the fun was just trying to find it and Flyers became a big part of the experience. They were made by student artists and stage goers and were usually a bit cryptic with just a time and location on them.
Visit the Hall of Presidents to read about the leaders of the Experimental Stage.
See some of the different Flyers for the Experimental Stage.
the Experimental Stage 