Emerson College

From March 20-22, Emerson College featured six short plays at the 2025 NewFest Short Works performances in the Semel Theater. All six plays are written, directed, and performed by Performing Arts students. They include Convenience of Proximity, Second Place, Death of Gogh, Period(.) Play, Flight of the Midnight Lobster, and Old Reliable.

This spring, students performed in Red Wolf, a show about a monster that knocks on a grieving family's door. The show set stage from March 26-29 in Emerson College's Greene Theater. Written by Madison Mondeaux ('26) and directed by Joe Antoun, the play follows teenage Jamie and her family as an urban legend hunts them down one by one. Most notably, the production won the Rod Parker Playwrighting Fellowship for NewFest 2025, Emerson Stage's annual celebration of new works.

Emerson College students participated in Emerson Stage's production of Limber, A Love Story from February 26 to March 1 at the Greene Theater in Boston, MA. Written by L M Feldman and directed by Adin Walker, the play premiered at NewFest 2025: New Play Workshop, and examines the history and storytelling of the contemporary circus, with an ensemble cast that moves backward in time.

Emerson College students participated in Emerson Stage's production of I Love XXX from February 5-8 at the Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre in Boston, MA. Written by Meng Jinghui, Shi Hang, Wang Xiaoli, and Huang Jingang, and directed by Tushar Mathew and Alison Qu, with translation by Claire Conceison. The play examines and questions the role of individual to the collective in post-socialist society and China's effort to resolve its past and look to the future. The work has no cast or characters, and every iteration is a unique improvisation based on the phrase "I Love" by its collective ensemble.

Emerson College students participated in Emerson Stage's production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 from April 18-20 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston, MA. Written by Dave Malloy, directed by M. Bevin O'Gara, with music direction by Sariva Goetz and choreographed by Christopher Shin, The Great Comet is an electropop opera based on a portion of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Emerson College students participated in NewFest Short Works 2024, a theater production featuring short plays written, directed, and performed by Emerson College Performing Arts students this past spring, from March 21-23 in the Semel Theatre in Boston, MA. The plays include Chekhov's Gun, Fluff, Cat's Out of the Bag, Approaching September First, Prune, Goose, Roadmap, Payphone, The Hotel Visitants, Hear Me Out, Don't Be a Stranger, and Until the Astroid Falls.

Emerson College students participated in the theater performance of Second Star to the Right, a NewFest 2024: Rod Parker Playwriting Fellowship Production this past spring from March 27-30 at the Greene Theatre in Boston. Written by Olivia Lindquist '27 and directed by Joe Antoun, the play is a spin on Peter Pan's tale.

The Emerson College Film Festival featured Lone Star by Sadie Sweitzer BFA'25, a film about a lone Texas cowboy and his trip to Paris where an unexpected meeting shows him that beauty can be found in unlikely places.

The 23rd Annual Emerson College Film Festival featured Robin by Tris Arthur BFA'23, a coming-of-age film about a teenager's search for their real identity.

The Emerson College Film Festival featured Graysen's Room by Lida Everhart BFA'24, showcasing Graysen's philosophy on art and creation from the comfort of their own room.

The Emerson College Film Festival recently featured Freddie by Maya Chang BFA '23, a film about a gazelle and his journey on searching for his lost hat and self-acceptance.

Emerson Stage members participated in the production of 16 Winters, or The Bear's Tale at the Greene Theater in Boston, MA from March 3-6t, 2024. Written by Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, and directed by Aneesha Kudtarkar, the play occurs during the 16-year-gap between acts one and two of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. It examines the effects of reimagining social constructs, and ponders whether something new can happen amidst repression.

Emerson Stage members participated in the production of A Doll's House at the Semel Theater in Boston, MA from February 14-17. Written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Frank McGuinness, and directed by Kate Cherry, the play follows Nora, a vibrant young housewife and her journey of self-discovery, marriage, and life.

Emerson Stage members participated in the production of The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons from January 24-27 at the Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre in Boston, MA. Written by Rachel Teagle, and directed by Joshua M. Feder, the comedic production follows the ambitous character Jess, who wants to be a mastodon when she grows up.

Emerson Stage members performed Bat Boy: The Musical from December 6-9 at the Semel Theater in Boston, MA. The story and book is by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, and this production was directed by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz. A blend of comedy, horror and drama, the musical follows the journey of half boy/half bat in the hills of West Virginia and his intergration into human society.

Emerson Stage presented Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder on November 8-11 at the Greene Theater. Written by Jen Silverman and directed by Annie G. Levy, this punk comedy production explores the consequences of societal expectations on women in the Victorian Era and their journey through breaking the rules.

Emerson Stage presents How We Got On, written by Idris Goodwin and directed by Summer L. Williams on October 12-14 at the Paramount Center. The production explores the life of suburnan teens coming of age in 1980s, dreaming of fame and fortune, and their journey of finding themselves in the culture of Hip-Hop.

Emerson Stage presents "Little Women," a timeless classic by Louisa May Alcott, performed September 27-30 at the Greene Theater in Boston, MA. This adaption performed by Emersonians encapulates the world of the March sisters, and their journey through sisterhood.

Emerson College students participated in the Emerson Stage production of The Loyals, a comedy about treason, in conjunction with NewFest: New Play Workshop. Written by Allison Gregory and directed by Courtney Sale, the play took place March 30-April 2 in the Semel Theatre in Boston, MA. Play description: A divided young country in the midst of a Revolution. A bright, eighteen-year-old socialite who becomes the wife of infamous war-hero-turned-traitor Benedict Arnold. Together they set out to undo America.

Emerson College Students participated in the Emerson Stage production of Cabaret. The musical takes place in a Berlin nightclub in the late 1920s and is a story about the danger of complacency during adversity -- a present and necessary warning. Cabaret credits: Book by Joe Masteroff, based on the play by John Van Druten, stories by Christopher Isherwood, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. This production was directed by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz, with music direction by Sariva Goetz and choreography by Christopher Shin.

Emerson College students participated in Emerson Stage's NewFest: Short Works, a festival of short plays written, directed, and performed by Emerson College students, performed March 8 and 9 in the Semel Theatre in Boston, MA. Plays featured: What If, written by Althea Champion and directed by Brenda Huggins, Eternity 5, written by Madison Mondeaux and directed by Allison Taaffe, Biscotti, written by Rose Hanish and directed by Hannah Nilsson, The Rock, written by Jillian Hetherman and directed by Zach Fuller, Geese, Not Gooses, written by Jackson Bailey and directed by Jake Tolentino, Recollection - The Magnus Archives Adaptation, written by Alex Goldman and directed by Josh O'Brien, Plans/Places, written by Kimstelle Merisma and directed by Sofia Lindgren Galloway, and That Feeling, written by Fatima Jafar and directed by Kandyce Whittingham.

Emerson College students showcased their films at the It's All True festival on April 4 and 5, 2023 at The Bright Family Screening Room at The Paramount Theatre, located in Boston, Massachusetts. It's All True is Emerson College's Documentary Film Festival that features outstanding documentary work by Emerson students.

Emerson College students showcased their films at the It's All True festival on April 4 and 5, 2023 at The Bright Family Screening Room at Paramount Theatre, located in Boston, Massachusetts. It's All True is Emerson College's Documentary Film Festival that features outstanding documentary work by Emerson students.

Emerson College students co- executive produced a production Jelly's Last Jam on Friday, March 31st, 2023, at the Semel Theater in Boston, MA. The musical featured an all-Black cast, which was very important to co-executive producers Jasmine Hawkins '23 and McKennen Campbell '23. Written by George C. Wolfe in 1991, Jelly's Last Jam follows the story of jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton. The performace begins with a recently deceased Jelly Roll who is conjured by a mysterious being named "Chimney Man" to relive his life. The story shares the joy, celebration, and contributions Black people have given to art.

Emerson College students participated in a variety of roles for the production of Jelly's Last Jam on March 31st, 2023, at the Semel Theater in Boston, MA. The musical featured an all-Black cast, which was very important to the director and co-executive producer, Jasmine Hawkins '23, and music director and co-executive producer, McKennen Campbell '23. Written by George C. Wolfe in 1991, Jelly's Last Jam follows the story of jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton. The performace begins with a recently deceased Jelly Roll who is conjured by a mysterious being named "Chimney Man" to relive his life. The story shares the joy, celebration, and contributions Black people have given to art.

Emerson College students performed at the Open Mic Night on March 26th, 2023 at SPC theatre, at Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts. The event was part of the three-day EmBrace Our HeArts Festival, highlighting performance, film, and poetry. The final evening of the festival featured a book sale and open mic in partnership with Beacon Hill Books & Cafe. The open mic featured stories, poems, and more by students of color. A book truck provided a selection of books by authors of color for sale. The School of the Arts Dean's Fellows for Racial Equity and Leadership Development created the arts festival to celebrate diverse voices at Emerson. The festival showcased work across the Visual and Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Writing, Literature & Publishing departments.

Emerson College student work was screened at the EmBrace Our HeArts Film Festival event on Friday, March 24th, 2023 in the SPC Theater at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, which featured performance, film, and poetry. The School of the Arts Dean's Fellows for Racial Equity and Leadership Development created the arts festival to celebrate diverse voices at Emerson. The festival showcased work across the Visual and Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Writing, Literature & Publishing departments.

Emerson College students created the Embrace Our HeArts Festival. Taking place over the course of three days, the events showcased students' talent and creativity. The School of the Arts Dean's Fellows for Racial Equity and Leadership Development created the arts festival to celebrate diverse voices at Emerson. The festival showcased work across the Visual and Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Writing, Literature & Publishing departments.

Emerson College students' work was spotlighted at the three-day EmBrace Our HeArts Festival from March 24th-26th, 2023. Performances from students took place at the Into the Spotlight event on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 in the Cutler Majestic Theater at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. The live performances including comedy sketches, dance, selections from musicals, and more. The School of the Arts Dean's Fellows for Racial Equity and Leadership Development created the arts festival to celebrate diverse voices at Emerson. The festival showcased work across the Visual and Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Writing, Literature & Publishing departments.

The 22nd annual Emerson Film Festival took place in the Bright Family Screening room in Paramount Center on March 22nd. The festival screened 12 short documentary, narrative, and experimental films made by Emerson students. The screening was followed by a live moderated conversation with student filmmakers as well.