“Own your story and take that chance.” - Chatting with Emmie Wright!

I always am inspired when I see young talented with bright futures ahead of them. Emmie Wright is an actress I had the privilege of working with this past summer and I can truly say without a shadow of a doubt that the future is REALLY bright for this young lady. Based out of Indiana, some of her recent regional credits include The Little Mermaid (Arista) and Into the Woods (Cinderella).

In addition to performing, Emmie also spends time editing and directing short films. This young lady has the right attitude backed up with so much talent. I am very happy to have the chance to feature Emmie Wright!  

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer? 

I’m not sure if I can pinpoint an exact age when I knew I wanted to be a performer.  I’ve always had a love for performing for as long as I can remember! All our old home videos feature my sister or I making up some kind of song or dance and roping our dad and friends into plays and skits! I started in theatre at about age 11 and I was hooked from there.

A couple of years down the road I began to work with a vocal instructor named Benjamin Kawsky who first introduced me to singing classically; which, being a young soprano, was exactly the direction and guidance that I needed. From there, I worked with Dr. Isai Jess Munoz and Caroline Smith who both helped me grow vocally beyond what I could have imagined for myself. All of that combined really helped cultivate and further my love for performing and I've never looked back since. 

Are there any people in your life who truly helped you become the amazing performer you are today? 

I am so lucky to have a lot of amazing and supportive people in my life, like my mom, best friend Mikala, and vocal coach Karen. They have consistently pushed me to be the best I can be. I also think I’ve gleaned a lot from various people who probably don’t even know they taught me something. There’s a lot to be learned just from watching the amazing people and amazing performers around you! That's one of the most magical things about theatre, the people you will meet.

During a run, the cast and crew become the people you spend all your time with and share your happy and sad moments with. What a blessing it is when those people are also people you can look up to! I can't count the number of anecdotes I frequently recall that directors have used to help the performers better understand a scene or all the advice passed on from cast members whose bond ended up feeling more like family.

I wish I was able to write down every person who has ever made a difference in me as a performer, but honestly, I don't know that list would ever stop. I know who I am and what my art has become is absolutely a collection of everyone who supported and took a chance on me.   

We are living in some unprecedented times in the world but are very fortunate right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel. For all artists (especially performers) it has definitely been a time of uncertainty. What are some things you do to keep your spirits up? 

My faith has always been super important to me and definitely something I’ve clung to during these times.  It’s been really helpful to take this time as a period of learning and growing! Instead of letting the missed opportunities get to me, I want to work on all I can so when the opportunities return, I’m able to give my best. Productivity during this time, though, has not always come the easiest, so while I want to accomplish all I can, it's also been a lesson in being gentle with myself. This is so vital as a performer, since our well-being is our art.

I think it's crucial to find a balance between being a go-getter and driven, and knowing when your body needs rest. Knowing your limits as a performer is tricky, but setting those boundaries has really helped me grow. Between the hope of performing opportunities returning and being more accessible, my drive to work, my faith, and some lovely friends who help me find a good balance, I've been able to keep my spirits up fairly well. 

Are there any roles and shows you have done in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart? 

Playing Cinderella in Into the Woods will always be so dear to my heart! I have so much love for that role and Sondheim. I think I was at somewhat of a pivotal place in my career when I played her, and I learned a lot and grew up a lot as a performer in that role. The friendships and memories I built in that show are still near to me today.  I learned a lot from the directors and also, I learned a lot from Cinderella and her outlook. That's something so fascinating to me, what we're able to learn from the characters we portray. 

I have to admit the show also has several of my favorite mishap stories, notably when my shoe decided to join the orchestra pit during "A Very Nice Prince" and the kind music director/conductor tossed it back to me.

Also, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to assistant vocal direct some different children’s shows, and I will always cherish those times so much. Getting to aid kids along in finding the same joy that I found in theatre is a feeling like no other. Just being able to see kids find themselves and really be comfortable in their own skin, the same way my friends and I did, is so rewarding. 

What advice would you give any young aspiring artist during these times? 

Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, which is easier said than done for sure. Your path is different from anyone else’s and that’s a wonderful thing. There are countless reasons to be discouraged and there are countless reasons not to pursue arts. But, when you truly love what you do and you find yourself and your home in the arts, none of the rest of that matters.

There will always be reasons not to, but what matters is the reason why you wanted to in the first place. There will always be people who you think are better or more deserving than you, but all you need is one person to take a chance on you.

As cheesy and cliche as it sounds, sometimes that person really does have to be you. Be proud of how far you’ve come and be hopeful for how far you will go. Own your story and take that chance. You’ll probably surprise yourself.