Emily Newmark
Director, Choreographer, & Filmmaker
Hello!
Emily is a theater and film director based in Chicago. She graduated from Oberlin College with degrees in Theater and Psychology and further honed her craft through a year of study at Prague Film School. She recently held a residency as an Emerging Director at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, where she assistant-directed several productions throughout the season and supported the artistic staff in various capacities.
Emily’s passion lies in directing a diverse range of works, including musical theater, new plays, classical productions, and film. By engaging with these varied mediums, she continuously challenges herself and cultivates a dynamic skill set that enriches her creative vision. She also brings extensive experience as a choreographer, intimacy director, and producer and is always eager to contribute to storytelling in any capacity she can.
Artistic Statement
Catharsis and belonging are at the heart of every story. In my work, I strive to uncover the universal human need to belong and evoke the love that accompanies it. I lead each room with empathy, believing that great art emerges from trust and care among artists. Collaboration is essential to artistic rigor, and I create a rehearsal space that invites everyone to the table equally.
As a leader in this collaborative art form, I encourage all voices while providing constructive feedback and a clear path to achieving our shared vision. I prioritize the text, believing that thorough text analysis reveals the visual and physical elements essential to the narrative. I value table work, where we break down the text into events, objectives, and beats before memorization. This process allows actors to grasp their characters' subtextual desires and the story's essence before stepping onto the stage.
Once on their feet, this foundational understanding of character empowers actors to make bold choices and work intuitively. Informed by the text they are able to discover physical choices rooted in their own bodies and grounded in the environment of the scene. As a trained dancer and choreographer, I instinctively offer movement adjustments in order to highlight key moments, ensuring that flow, pacing, and positioning are used to propel the narrative forward.
In my productions, I prioritize hiring visual and auditory artists who share a deep passion for the story. My goal as a director is to inspire and empower my designers, fostering a cohesive blend of visual and auditory elements. This unity enhances the audience’s emotional journey and amplifies these vital moments of catharsis.
