Emily Edwards

I am a theater artist, working in the NYC area for the past 20 years. My journey as a dancer led to my love of choreography and storytelling. From there, I discovered a passion for directing and, while studying that, tripped across the world of intimacy direction. All of these areas are facets to my identity as a theater artist and I love each element in its own way. And each element allows me to be a stronger artist. I am also a fervent believer in creating an anti-racist ethos and working from a consent-based and trauma-informed place.

Let’s make some theater together!

Emily Edwards

I am a theater artist, working in the NYC area for the past 20 years. My journey as a dancer led to my love of choreography and storytelling. From there, I discovered a passion for directing and, while studying that, tripped across the world of intimacy direction. All of these areas are facets to my identity as a theater artist and I love each element in its own way. And each element allows me to be a stronger artist. I am also a fervent believer in creating an anti-racist ethos and working from a consent-based and trauma-informed place.

Let’s make some theater together!

Director

My choices in directing tend to be focused on highly physical stories that feature an underdog. I love mixing humor with dramatic moments. I believe that a director is the leader of a collaboration between artists, rather than a dictator. I was able to fine-tune this belief at Brooklyn College where I received my MFA in directing. I am an associate Member of SDC. Here are some assorted stills of my most recent directing credits. Check out my resume for a full list of the productions I have overseen.

“

The Courtship piece [directed by Emily Edwards] was hilarious and did not get old”

Laysha Duran, Manhattan with a Twist
Review for A Clamour of Cabaret, 2014

“The Doom That Came to the Burger Slime”, by Bryce Weinert, The Tank, 2022, Photo credit: Jason Brinkerhoff

“Little Shop of Horrors”, by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, Brooklyn College, 2019

[PORTO], by Kate Benson
Brooklyn College, 2018

“Woe is Me”, by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, Weasel Festival, The Public Theatre, 2018

Asst. Director, “Mothers”, by Anna Moench, Directed by Robert Ross Parker, The Playwrights Realm, 2019. Photo credit: Daniel J. Vasquez

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Intimacy & Fight Director

It’s a thin line between love and hate.

Intimacy Direction is a relatively new field in the industry and a much-needed profession. I have been studying and working as an intimacy director since 2017. My studies have included multiple workshops with IDC, TIE, Intimacy for Stage and Screen, and more. To date, I have worked on over 15 productions in both academic and professional settings. View my resume for a full list of the productions I have overseen intimacy and fight choreography.

I have been studying and choreographing stage combat for 20 years. My focus is unarmed and found objects stage combat. SAFD certifications: Unarmed (2022), Theatrical Firearm Safety (2022)

“

Naturally, such a revelatory play is also transformed by the combined Fight/Intimacy Coordinator (the ever-present Emily Edwards).”

Ed Malin, Theatre is Easy
Review for “The Douchegirl Play (Better Name Pending)”, 2018

Intimacy/Fights, “A Place for Us”, Written and Directed by Anthony Laura, CHAIN Theatre, 2021, Photo credit: Dan Williams

Intimacy/Fights, “Hellish Delights”, By Scott Sickles, Directed by Jesse Edward Rosbrow. Reign or Shine Productions. 2022, Photo credit: Isaiah Tanenbaum

Intimacy, “Artist Unknown” (film), Written and Directed by Cinder Chou, Cinderblock Productions, 2023

Intimacy/Fights, “Buicks”, By Julian Sheppard, Directed by Anna Strasser, Gene Frankel Theatre, 2019, Photo credit: Steven Strasser

Intimacy/Fights, “Heartland”, By Michèle Raper Rittenhouse, Directed by Louis Wells, Rutgers-NJIT Theatre, 2019

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Dancer & Choreographer

Dance was and is my first love. I have explored many different styles of movement in the 30 plus years I have been dancing. I focused on ballet all the way though undergrad at Butler University. Upon moving to NYC I switched my focus to modern and contemporary dance and performed with Gehring Dancetheatre. Since 2015, my focus has been swing and partner dance as one-half of The Dysfunctional Swingers.

My choreography is influenced by all of these styles and I strongly believe in story-based movement. I love working with dancers of all levels, from the completely inexperienced to the professional. View my movement resume.

“

...[Nicole Lee] Aiossa and Emily Edwards’ choreography taps the joy and attunement of a culture at a much shorter remove from nature than our own…”

Adam McGovern, hilobrow.com
Review of The Tempest, 2017

Gehring Dancetheatre, 2012, Photo credit: Mark Stephen Kornbluth

The Dysfunctional Swingers, 2018, Photo credit: Mike Cho

“She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen, Directed by Robert Ross Parker, Flea Theater, 2011.

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Performer

While I mostly prefer to work on the creative side these days, I do get onstage occasionally. Most notably as Lacy Verdon in the monthly serial 80’s soap opera for the stage It’s Getting Tired Mildred, which I have been a part of since 2017.

I also perform regularly as one-half of The Dysfunctional Swingers. and have been a frequent collaborator with the shadow-puppet theatre group Midnight Radio Show since 2016.

View my complete performance resume.

“

Such fun! Charming and talented, I love watching these two [Edwards and McGlynn] dance.”

Charlotte Lily Gaspard
Artistic Director of Midnight Radio Show

“It’s Getting Tired Mildred”, written and directed by Roger Nasser; choreography by Emily Edwards and Brendan McGlynn

“Midnight Radio Show”, written and directed By Charlotte Lily Gaspard, 2018.

“Fight Girl, Battle World”, written by Qui Nguyen, directed by Robert Ross Parker, 2008.

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Dance reel for The Dysfunctional Swingers

Educator

I believe in passing on what we know to the next generation and making theatre stronger. I am therefore a fervent proponent of arts education. I’m currently a full-time faculty member for the theatre program at New Jersey Institute of Technology. I teach a range of courses including Theatre History, Directing, Acting for Animators, among others.

I have also taught several styles of dance for many years at institutions like Garden State Ballet and Governors Island. I have also taught or been a TA in a variety of subjects including acting, intimacy direction, stage combat, movement for theater, and more at places such as Brooklyn College, Rutgers University-Newark, NYU, and the National Theater Institute.

View my complete educator resume.

Say hi!

Have a question or need help with a project you are working on? Contact me at emily@emilyedwards.net

Headshot on Home and Contact page by Kent Meister
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