EM HAUSMANN
Photo by Rylan Lott
Em Hausmann (they/them) is a director and theatre-maker based in NYC, with a focus on developing new works from emerging playwrights, composers, and creators. Their work typically includes elements and themes of queerness, gender exploration, magical realism, and over-the-top silliness/weirdness/camp. Em creates visually interesting, visceral, story-driven, immersive live performance experiences for audiences. They believe in the power of building community through theatre and in the importance of true collaboration to work towards a shared vision.
Em is passionate about championing emerging playwrights to develop their work. Most recently, they directed the world premiere of Snow Bird by Melina Nakos, which was led by a principal cast of trans masculine actors. They are currently the long-standing director of Beethoven: Live in Concert, a new musical in development by Jad Jacob (book/music/lyrics). Beethoven was recently named a finalist in several new works development festivals/opportunities, following a run at the historic Fort Salem Theatre in 2024, and a star-studded concert at The Green Room 42 in 2023. Other in-
development projects include Best In Show (The Tank LimeFest; RE/VENUE NYC x The Paradise Factory) and CAMP by Madi Fabber, swives (First Kiss Theatre) and Strike/Out (Kitchen Sink Theatre Company) by Lizz Mangan, Beans and Rice by Jad Jacob, and The Z.U.M. by Jaden Alvaro Gines. More new works directed by Em include: Whitehare (The Neurodivergent New Play Series), Moving On (Fort Salem Theatre), Mud Spell (the pebble collective), Crossed/Lovers (We Who Wander), Angry Brits Stomping (IRT Theater), And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining (The Tank), The Very Last Dance of Homeless Joe (Theater for the New City), A Tiny Little Sky (AF Productions), Okay. (Irvington Theater Company Arts Incubator Short Play Fest).
Em is proudly a Resident Director with the Neurodivergent New Play Series, a monthly play reading series dedicated to presenting the works of neurodivergent playwrights. Through NNPS, Em was recently a guest on the Stage Whisper Podcast alongside playwright Adin Lenahan (Whitehare). From 2023-2024 they were the Director of Development for Kitchen Sink Theatre Company, where they helped to grow the company by reshaping its mission to producing works by/for LGBTQIA+ artists. In 2023, they were invited to speak on the Trans* Day of Visibility Panel at Two River Theater alongside their friend and collaborator, Samekh Resh. Em is a reader for SheNYC Arts, a key at Ring of Keys, a member of Directors Gathering, and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). From 2021-2022, Em served as the assistant and later associate director to Angelo Fraboni, Bethany Moore, and Aaron Gandy at The Madison Theatre. In 2020 Em was assistant director to Jillian Carucci in TheaterWorksUSA's virtual production of Blocked, and from 2018-2020 Em was assistant director to Joe Kinosian at The Madison Theatre Summer Musical Intensive.
As a multi-hyphenate, Em also has experience as a performer, producer, designer, stage manager, and casting director. Em has designed sound, projections, and scenic for a number of off and off-off broadway shows over the years. In 2018 they were the production assistant/captions operator on New York Deaf Theatre’s production of Maple & Vine; in 2019 they designed projections for (and performed in) the world premiere of Experience Marianas! at CAP21. They recently served as the casting director for shows with NY Theatricals, and the company manager for Celebrity Autobiography. As a performer, they’ve been seen at venues throughout New York including The Triad Theater, 54 Below, The Green Room 42, The Sheen Center, Town Stages, The Madison Theatre, CAP21, and Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre. Em received a BFA in Theatre Arts/Musical Theatre from Molloy College/CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory.
Testimonials
"As a playwright, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a selection of directors, and have had varying degrees of long-standing connection with them after our project is done.
With Em, it’s never a question of, “Will I work with them again?”, but rather, “So, what’s next?” Em puts significant care into creating a safe environment for actors of all gender identities and backgrounds to explore new text, which in turn allows the playwrights they work with (such as myself) to see their work at their full potential. Plus, they have a wonderful sense of visual aesthetic and playfulness that makes any project soar. I am lucky to not only call Em a wonderful collaborator, but also, a dear friend."