The Empty Space Theatre and Seattle University have formed a partnership that allows the theater to use the school's performance space, representatives from the organizations said yesterday. This marks the first time in Seattle that a college will house a professional nonprofit theater on campus.

"It'll elevate our program and give incredible options for our students, and it will link us with the community," said Carol Wolfe Clay, chairwoman of Seattle University's fine-arts department.

Next year, the theater will move from its venue in Fremont, where it has been since 1993, to the campus between First Hill and the Central Area. Empty Space will perform future shows at the school's new $6.75 million Lee Center for Performing Arts.

Students will benefit from such opportunities as work study, internships and other projects.

Empty Space, a midsize theater that has been struggling financially on and off for decades, will be able to use the university's space rent-free, said Empty Space artistic director Allison Narver, adding that the theater will remain an independent nonprofit.

"It will help stabilize and create a sustainable future for the Empty Space," she said.

The 150-seat Lee Center will open in February, said Empty Space managing director Melanie Matthews. The Fremont space has the same number of seats, but the Lee Center allows for more-flexible seating arrangements.

Empty Space is now showing "Frozen" in its Fremont location at 3509 Fremont Ave. N. After the holiday show, "Forbidden Xmas," Empty Space will take a break, then open its first show at Seattle University in June 2006, said Matthews.

According to Narver, one show a year will be produced in concert with the school, beginning in April 2007. There also are plans to organize an annual national playwriting festival at the school.

Judy Chia Hui Hsu: 206-464-3315 or jhsu@seattletimes.com