About Emily
Freelance Theatre Director
MFA Directing Candidate at Illinois State University
I am a director drawn to stories that reveal humanity—messy, vulnerable, joyful, and contradictory. My work centers empathy as both an artistic goal and a rehearsal practice, inviting audiences to encounter perspectives beyond their own.
With a background in anthropology, I am fascinated by why people do what they do and how culture and lived experience shape behavior. Theatre allows me to explore these questions in community, using storytelling to gently disrupt the bubbles we live in and create space for understanding, even when we don’t agree.
In the rehearsal room, I prioritize clear communication, flexibility, and collaboration. I strive to create consent-based, trauma-conscious spaces where artists feel supported taking risks and contributing their full selves. I am particularly interested in new play development and collaborating with playwrights, as well as projects that challenge my perspectives and expand my artistic vocabulary.
