As a director, I gravitate towards non-traditional structure, found spaces, queer and neurodivergent stories, and modern approaches to classical texts. As an English major, I approach every project both within the context it was devised, and the one in which it will be performed–acknowledging any preconceptions that come along with the piece, and questioning if they are valid or necessary. Why does all of the action have to take place on a stage? Why does the protagonist have to be a certain body type, age, or gender? What happens if we change something about the show, what does it reveal about the integrity of the piece and what is truly central to the story and message? Taking projects from this questioning perspective has allowed me to truly analyze our potential impact on an audience and the society they interact with. The answer “because that’s the way it always has been” is not enough justification for an artistic choice. After all, social change has always started with the artists.
A creative and quick-thinking worker, I adapt well to changes and challenges that inevitably arise during the production process. I excel at both working with limited resources to create impactful work, and valuing my co-collaborators as fellow artists whose processes are each unique.
Mutual respect between everyone involved in a production process is the most important key to professional success. I value the time and work of collaborators, and constantly strive to make teammates know that they are appreciated.
Pictures and media of the below projects to come soon.
A Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
In September of 2025, Emmie D’Amico will collaborate with Staten Island Shakespeare Company to direct an outdoor, immersive production of The Bard’s classic work. The show will be presented free to the public in the evening at Staten Island’s beautiful Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
Night Witches, a devised piece presented by PickPocket Project at Chez Bushwick
Emmie is directing and leading a team of devisers of female experience to bring to life the story of the Soviet Union’s first women in the active duty military. These women were pilots in the air force who developed an intricate system of attack to stop Nazi progression into their country using the agricultural planes, hand-me-down uniforms, and newly expanded definition of femininity which were allocated to them. The research period began in early February and will run until mid March when the piece will be devised in experimental in person rehearsals in the performance space at Chez Bushwick, to be presented on April 5th of 2025.
Serials episodic theatre presented at The Tank
Emmie is a frequent director, intimacy coordinator, and performer with Serials NYC, an episodic theatre group which calls The Tank Theatre home. Each cycle, 5 brand new ten minute plays are presented to an audience after only 5 hours of rehearsal. The audience then votes on which 3 short plays they’d like to see another episode of. Emmie has participated in every cycle since joining in July 2024.
Queer Joy concert by the Youth Pride Chorus of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
Working with artistic director Nicholas Sienkiewicz, Emmie collaborated with the young people to devise and direct scenes which created a storyline between songs which celebrated the elements of Queer Joy. The concert was presented at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York City’s West Village.
Against the Wall by Pablo Ceja
After directing a series of exploratory table readings, Emmie staged a book-in-hand presentation at The Tank Attic in October of 2024. The piece explores themes of masculinity and what happens when an impressionable young man confronts the expectations, tangible and intangible, which society puts on him. More development on this project to come in April 2025.
The Schmidt Sisters: A Revolutionary Situation by Rebecca Farley, Ashlynn Hazel Pilger, and Margo Hera
As part of Emerging Artists Theatre’s 2024 bi-annual Spark Theatre Festival NYC, Emmie directed this world premier 29 hour workshop performance to a sold out audience at New York City’s Chain Theatre.
Of Sorts by Sarah Sterling
In 2024, Emmie directed the world premier staged reading of this innovative and dream-like new work by Sarah Sterling, focusing on generational trauma, body image, and the effect of capitalism on an otherwise feminist individual. Produced as part of the Women’s Playwrights Collective’s Not Forgotten Play Festival presented by Staten Island Shakespeare Company.
Directing Apprenticeship:
Directing:
Assistant Directing:
Emmie D'Amico 