Emma Y. Lai

Directing

The Garden: A New Folk Musical

Music, Lyrics, and Book by Hannah Bakke

Childrens’ Theatre Company T.A.T. (Minneapolis, MN)

world premiere

 
 

Credits

Featuring
Ann Weigle, Maris Ward, Quinn Major, Kaitlyn Rudolf, Cameron Foster, and Nicola Wahl

Celestial Chorus Members
Eleanor Alcorn-Webb, I’anna Brazelton, River Clementson, Margarit Flynn, Adelyn Frost, Charlie Gold, Scout Groshong, Lynnie Krautbauer, Claire Lamatsch, Aliyah Rogers, Lola Ronning, Antonia Shulman, Logan Warner, and Olivia Weimerskirch

Choreography by Jack Moorman

Music Direction/Orchestrations by Justin Cook

Associate Directed by Anna Schloerb

Dramaturgy by Alex Church

Costume Design by Dakota Blankenship

Lighting Design by Kyia Britts

Props Design by Emery Todd

Sound Design by Nathaniel Glewwe

Photography by Kaitlin Randolph



 

devoured: notes

on

love and enmeshment

By Liqing Xu

The Southern Theatre (Minneapolis, MN)

world premiere

 
 

Credits

With Michelle de Joya, Josie Ramler, Antonio Duke, and Johanna Keller Flores

Choreography by Pedra Pepa

Set/Lighting Design by Alice Endo

Sound Design/Music by Atim Opoka

Props Design by Calvin Friedman

Assistant Directed by Clay Man Soo

Photography by Bruce Silcox

Developed through the Playwrights’ Center (MN)


| “I appreciate the symmetrical structure of the piece, but that doesn't mean that it's rigid. Within this structure the play is very fluid, one scene flowing seamlessly into the next, with barely a pause [through] direction by Emma Y. Lai…A really thoughtfully and beautifully done rumination on relationships, that engendered murmurs of recognition from the young and diverse crowd.”-Cherry and the Spoon



 

Murdered to Death

By Peter Gordon

Phipps Centers (Hudson, WI)

 
 

Credits

With Sam Purches, Emma Kessler, Jenny Tam, Darcy Bell-Myers, Gary Jader, Joe Johnson, Cain Korf, Diana Swanson, Bruce Bell-Myers, and Sherry Allen

Set Design by Lindsay Webster

Sound Design/Music by Rachel Anne Brees

Props Design by Vicky Erickson

Lighting Design by Alex Clark

Costume Design by Meghan Kent

Photography by John Schultz


| “A hilarious, at times ridiculous, spoof of the adored Agatha Christie-esque genre…With the impressive scene design, solid music choices and rich costumes it’s easy to immerse oneself into the production’s world.” - Star-Observer



 

Primary

By Alex Church

Minnesota Fringe Festival

world premiere

 
 

With Brettina Davis, Sarah Broude, Mark Groberski, and Clara Marsh

Co-Directed by Alex Church and Emma Y. Lai

Costume Design by Gabe Moreno

Sound Design by Rachel Anne Brees

Photography by Alyssa Teh


| “For a Fringe-length run time, this show makes the most of everything…topically of the moment regarding what could or might influence an election outcome (or not…)” -Beth Wegner

| “The political gets very personal in this drama, coming to an explosive conclusion…Like I said, not the best ad for running for office, but good theater.” -Cherry and the Spoon