NEWS IN THE WORLD OF EMILY EDWARDS.

Director. Intimacy/Fight Director. Choreographer. Performer. Educator.  www.emilyedwards.net

[em-edwards]

It's Been a Year

It's been a year since the last recap and it's been a busy one!

Disco Knights, Photo by Theik Smith

The Dysfunctional Swingers

We celebrated 10 years of dancing together this year! And to celebrate, we created our very own show, Disco Knights, and performed it at Arts on Site this past January. We had an amazing cast of Marie Donna Davis, Josue Guerrero, and Florianna Heun, and Ejyp Johnson with Anna Strasser co-directing! Brendan and I also created a special Nutcracker homage for the Drops in the Vase Holiday Spectacular. It's been a wonderful journey and we're looking forward to what's next!

THIS IS NOT A DEATH CULT, Photo by Adam Fontana

Intimacy/Violence Direction and Choreography

I worked on a number of shows this spring in the role of intimacy and fight direction including both new Drops in the Vase shows THIS IS NOT A DEATH CULT and Needle and Bone, written by Scott Sickles and Maggie Cino. I also assisted with the NJIT production of Curtains, Bergen County Players' The 39 Steps, and the W.A.D. semi-staged reading of Duncan Pflaster's new play Incel Vayna. I also assisted with choreography on the Midnight Radio Show production of Dreamcats! at the Gene Frankel Theater in April.

Newark Playwrights Festival, photo by Nasir Kemp

News from NJIT

At NJIT, I once again produced the annual Newark Playwrights Festival that features readings of short new plays by Newark area high school and college students. The evening was a lovely celebration of new talent with 10 new works. I also worked with my colleague Louis Kornfeld and presented a new workshop that helped the PhD students of NJIT with their communication skills through the lens of theater.

It's Getting Tired Mildred

We just wrapped another season of the 80's soap opera for the stage, It's Getting Tired Mildred by Roger Nasser. It was, as always, a fun ride and a great chance for me to get onstage and perform as Lacy Verdon alongside some ridiculously amazing human beings. Especially as our final show ended about 5 minutes before the Knicks won Game 5! What an amazing high to end this whirlwind of a season on.

Mod 2 of GLMCC

Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium

And last but not least, I completed the second year of training to teach the Michael Chekhov acting technique alongside an amazing cohort of talented individuals, and under the guidance of some truly wonderful teachers. I'm looking forward to returning to Kent State for the final mod next June.

[em-edwards]

Winter/Spring Recap

Hi Everyone. It was a busy winter spring! Here's the brief recap of what I've been up to...

Zach Wobensmith, Isabella Minutolo, & Emily Battles, Photo Erin Solér

Living Radio

I kicked off the first week of 2025 by reuniting to direct with Living Radio. Living Radio is the monthly play series that throws together 10 minute radio shows based on the news headlines of the week. My piece, written by the estimable Duncan Pflaster was "only eight minutes to go". It can be heard in radio play format here.

Trey Radu-Blackburn, Nolan Atterbury, and Juan Calix, Photo by Duncan Pflaster

Two Gays Contemplate a Straight

Continuing my relationship with Duncan Pflaster, I was intimacy director for his new short comedy for the Chain's Winter One Act Play Festival. It was a great team, and the actors were brilliant!

Single Sword Certification

I finally took the plunge and took a 10 week course this spring from Lisa Kopitsky at Neutral Chaos and received my SAFD certification in Single Sword. It's been something I have been wanting to do for awhile, and I'm pleased that I finally made it happen.

Amanda LaPergola and Alyssa Simon in The Fallow Garden, Photo Kent Meister

Hellish Delights

This was a special one, as this show was shut down mid-run when Covid hit. Five years later, we were able to get it back on its feet with the same cast, same director, and some of the same design team! Big thanks to director Jesse Edward Rosbrow and playwright Scott C. Sickles for never giving up. I was proud to say that the fights/intimacy still looked fantastic!

Lizzie Chengxiu Jiang Roberts (Judith) and Christopher Yustin (Holofernes)

Judith and Holofernes

My creative partner Bryce Weinert and I have been hard at work on our next show, which is based on the famous eponymous painting by Artemisia Gentileschi. I directed two successful readings of her thrilling new play in the past 6 months. The second of which was co-produced with The Interstitial and held at ART/NY. Next steps for the piece will be doing an actual run. More on that soon.

Backstage at the Naughty Fairy Cabaret

Midnight Radio Show

The Dysfunctional Swingers (aka myself and Brendan McGlynn) have performed 2 new pieces with Midnight Radio Show in the past two months. We debuted a piece at an intimate open mic evening and then last week debuted a second as part of their Naughty Fairy Cabaret at Dixon Place.

The wonderful faculty of GLMCC

Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium

I was very excited to spend a week in Ohio taking Module 1 (of 3) learning about the Michael Chekhov acting technique. In completing this program over the next three years, I will be a certified teacher in the Chekhov technique. I was able to meet a lot of fantastically talented people and really enjoyed diving into this work. Looking forward to next year already.

NEXT UP

The Garden Bridge

Pleased to be providing fight direction for this brand new musical that is part of the SheNYC Arts Festival happening at the end of July. We started rehearsals this week, and the show and cast are all incredible. The show follows the journey of a family of Viennese Jewish refugees as they arrive in Shanghai in 1940. Written by Jill Ohayon and Andy Li, directed by Dev Bondarin. Two performances only, July 23 at 7:30 and July 26 at 8:30. Get your tickets here.

[em-edwards]

Fall Away!

Another season is off and running and here's the recap of what I've been up to, as well as my upcoming projects for the next month!

Alien Hearts

I worked as an Intimacy Consultant on the indie film Alien Hearts this summer. Based on the Guy de Maupassant' novel of the same name, Alien Hearts tells the story of artist André Mariolle as he intersects with the rich Miche de Burne, a patron to artists. It was a delight to work with writer/director Kevin Townley and the amazing actors on this modern queer romantic fantasia.

It's Getting Tired Mildred

Season 10(!!) of It's Getting Tired Mildred kicked off with a sock puppet episode this past weekend! Enjoy this backstage shot of me with my counterpart, Sock Puppet Lacy! Next episode is October 12th.

Dreamcats! The Musical

I'm so excited to be a part of this show, created by one of my favorite groups, Midnight Radio Show! Not only am I acting in this hybrid puppet/live action sci-fi fantasy show, but The Dysfunctional Swingers are debuting a brand new dance piece! Happening Saturday at 7:30 as part of the Evolution Festival at the gorgeous space at The Center at West Park. Tickets and info can be found here.

Feejee Mermaid

I'm thrilled to be intimacy/violence director for the debut play for the new theatre company Drops in the Vase! On the eve of the 19th Annual International Taxidermy Championships, four experts of the trade gather in a hotel room. Fueled by competitive tension and a whole lot of alcohol, they spend the night vying for supremacy. Who can master the act of creation, and achieve perfection? By the end of the night, one of them proves they are willing to push the boundaries of their craft further than anyone ever thought possible. The show runs Oct 16-Nov 2. Tickets can be found here.

Peter and the Starcatcher

The fall production for NJIT, I'll be helping out with some of the fights for the show. It's such a fun show and I'm looking forward to jumping into rehearsals soon!

[em-edwards]

Summer Awaits

Hello everyone! The school year is over and the possibilities for summer are endless! Here's a few things that I have on the docket...

Legally Blonde

This spring semester I had the wonderful experience of directing and choreographing Legally Blonde at NJIT. It felt like a full-circle moment, after having been in the choreographer's seat for over a decade. It was so great to stretch my wings as director! And I had such an amazing team! From the brilliant cast, to the dedicated music team, to our brilliant engineering student who made me a 20 ft. turntable set, to the inspired crew and creative team. It took a village! But I was so happy with how it turned out.

A-Town Throwdown

I had a fantastic time in Atlanta for Memorial Day weekend, attending a 3 day stage SAFD combat workshop hosted at Oglethorpe University. Under the guidance of many skilled and hilarious teachers, I was able to increase my skills in unarmed combat, found objects, throwing knives, single sword, and more. I also learned the basics of rigging and what that looks like on a film set (as seen above).

Living Radio

Next up this Monday, I'll be returning to work with the folks at Living Radio! This is a fun monthly event where 10 minute plays are written based on the news of the week and performed as live radio plays. I'll be directing this month and have a funny team to work with. You can catch it this Monday at Under St. Marks. Tickets and info are here.

It's Getting Tired Mildred

Also this week, the season finale of It's Getting Tired Mildred (yout favorite primetime 80's soap opera for the stage) happens on Saturday! It's been a roller-coaster of a season that has seen the re-emergence of the cult *cough* collective of Peace and Light, the return of Leon-Sebastian, scandalous hookups, sock puppets, sex curses, and more. Lacy (that's me) started going to therapy this season! But will it stick? Be sure to make to the last episode before September! Details for the performance here.

Next Up - Check out the Mermaid Parade in mid-June at Coney Island. I'll be there representing the new theatre company, Drops in the Vase.

[em-edwards]

Getting Back Up to Speed

There is quite a substantial gap since my last post, so as a quick recap, I spent the majority of the past year adjusting to being full-time theatre faculty at NJIT. I have been teaching a wide variety of classes such as directing, theatre history, play analysis, and acting as well as assisting with school productions with all things movement-related. Last fall I also had the opportunity to create a brand new course at Rutgers-Newark that focused half the semester on intimacy and half the semester on unarmed stage combat.

With this being my main focus, my outside activities have become somewhat more infrequent. Which in not to say they have halted completely. Here are a few of the latest...

New Website

If you made it this far, that means you have seen my new website revamp. Designed and implemented by the genius Carol Mazhuvancheril. With headshots by the incredible Kent Meister. This has been a long time coming and I'm *very* pleased with the results. If you need a website or photos, I highly recommend these fine gentlemen.

Rent

Bergen County Players, Photo Credit: Richard Frant

I was very honored to be asked to be Bergen County Players' first intimacy director for their season opener production of Jonathan Larson's iconic Rent. This show means the world to me and I was so excited to help bring this production (directed by Steve Bell) to the stage. It is playing through Oct. 14th. Tickets are $29 and can be found here.

It's Getting Tired Mildred Season 9

That's right, we're still going. Last season your favorite late night 80's soap opera for the stage became your favorite primetime 80's soap opera for the stage. We now perform at 8pm instead of 10:30pm which is definitely a step up. Roger Nasser's scripts are as funny and gasp-inducing as they have ever been with the ever-expanding cast continuing to be a joy to share the stage with. Lacy Verdon (that's me) will be making her Season 9 debut in this month's episode, which is on Sat. Oct. 14th. Tickets and details can be found here.

The Dysfunctional Swingers

While we have been much less active in the past year, The Dysfunctional Swingers are still working on creating new dance videos for our Patreons. Here's a sneak peak at a still from our latest video which should drop before the end of the month. This particular video featured our biggest cast and crew to date and I'm very excited to share it with everyone. You will be able to find it on our YouTube channel with the rest of our videos very soon.

[em-edwards]

It’s Been A Year...

Well. The past year did not go as planned. And that’s an understatement. That being said, here’s a quick recap of the projects I have been involved in.

Intimacy Direction

Although its run got cut short amid the shutdown last March, I was pleased to do intimacy and fights for this evening of four short plays by Scott C. Sickles with direction by Jesse Edward Rosbrow. Hellish Delights had brilliant actors and I’m hoping it will be resurrected at some point in the future.

   In other intimacy direction, I took my first step into intimacy coordination this past March and worked on Cinder Chou’s Artist Unknown, an independent feature. Release date TBA. 

Performance

Performance opportunities have been few, but The Dysfunctional Swingers have continued making our monthly videos such as the video above. To see all of our videos, check out our YouTube playlist. We also have performed at a few online events including cabarets, salons, and at LaMama as a part of Midnight Radio Show’s Enchanted Origins.

Elsewhere, I dipped my toes into the world of the Bard and played Virgilia in Michael Santora’s online production of Coriolanus. It was a fun experience with lovely collaborators. 

Other Career News

I’m also excited to say I’ll be teaching Movement for Theater at Rutgers University - Newark in the fall. Looking forward to working with some talented students and this department that I’ve had a long-standing relationship with.

[em-edwards]

A New Decade

The Roarin’ Twenties are here and I’m ready for them! Here’s a quick recap of my latest projects from the end of the year.

Buicks

I was thrilled to be intimacy/fight director for Buicks by Julian Sheppard, directed by talented Anna Strasser. The show went up at the Gene Frankel Theater in Dec and I had a wonderful time working with the lovely cast. 

Living Radio

I directed a piece for the November edition of Co-Op Theater East’s monthly series Living Radio. The show takes a current news story and, in quick turnabout fashion, puts a twist on it, and throws it onstage. I directed Cocoon by Maximilian Kempf and you can listen to it here.

The Dysfunctional Swingers

We ended the year with a fun holiday video as part of our monthly Patreon subscriber chosen song video series. This year we made 13 such videos and loved the content we came up with. We also just launched our brand new Instagram and website. More soon to come for us!

[em-edwards]

Leaning into Fall

It’s been a busy summer/early fall. The Dysfunctional Swingers just completed their 5th residency on Governors Island, teaching swing dance and performing for over 200 folks. And I’ve been busy onstage and off. Here’s a few of the highlights...

Mothers

I’m thrilled to be a part of this Off-Broadway production in the role of assistant director. Mothers is a powerful new work and I’ve loved being a part of it. It opens Sept 25th and runs through Oct 12th. There are some tickets available on different pricing tiers in an effort by The Playwrights Realm to make theater accessible to all. Get yours here.

It’s Getting Tired Mildred

You can find me acting one night a month in the 6th season of Roger Nasser’s late night 80′s soap opera for the stage. Our season opener is Sat. Sept 21st at the PIT Loft at 10:30pm. Tickets are $20 but we usually sell out, so make sure to get yours in advance.

Art of Warr Productions

Finally, I’m continuing my intimacy direction journey with Art of Warr’s fall season of Stupid F**king Bird and Pizza Man, which are running in rep October 3rd-27th at 13th Street Theatre. The team has been absolutely lovely to work with. Tickets are $25. 

[em-edwards]

Where were we?

It’s been a wild, nonstop ride for the past 11 months. Here’s a quick recap of what has happened....

Brooklyn College

I completed my MFA in directing at Brooklyn College this May. But before that, I put up my thesis project of Kate Benson’s [PORTO] and directed and choreographed a wonderfully well-received student production of Little Shop of Horrors.

The Dysfunctional Swingers

We released our latest video, Lovesick, in February. We were labeled as “phenomenal” by Adam McGovern from hilowbrow.com for December’s Titter Time, A Dysfunctional Variety Hour Christmas Special, a fun romp through the 60′s. The Dysfunctional Swingers also performed on a bill with the Double Down Swing Band at the Way Station in Brooklyn in February. Next up, we’re debuting a new routine this Friday as part of Enchanted Shadows with the Midnight Radio Show. Later this summer, we will be returning to the Dysfunctional Collective on Governors Island.

Other Directing Projects

I was pleased to take part in CO-OP Theater East’s Radio COTE this past February as part of the Frigid Festival, directing 2 pieces that are available to listen to here and getting a nice shout-out from Theater Is Easy for my use of foley. I’ll be directing another piece in their re-branded Living Radio series on July 8th. 

I made my directing debut for The Fifth Annual NYC Indie Theater One-Minute Play Festival at the New Ohio this June. This nationwide festival takes the work of over 60 local playwrights and creates an hour of one minute plays about the issues affecting the community.

Intimacy Direction

I continue to work towards my certification in intimacy direction with Intimacy Directors International. In the meantime, I brought the skills that I do have to Unattended Baggage’s world premiere of American Juggalo by Sean Pollock at the New Ohio and HERE Arts in January as well as Brooklyn College’s production of Erin Courtney’s I Will Be Gone. I also returned to NJIT-Rutgers University to assist them in Michele Rittenhouse’s moving and intimate play Heartland. This summer I’m going to continue attending workshops with IDI and will be intimacy choreographer for Tanya Everett’s world premiere of A & Bea, going up at The Public Theater as part of the Bring a Weasel and a Pint of Blood Playwriting Festival. 

[em-edwards]

[PORTO], A Weasel, A Douchegirl, and Mildred

[PORTO]

I’m thrilled to be starting off my second (and final) year of grad school directing [PORTO] by Kate Benson as my thesis project. This production will be the season opener of a wonderful selection of plays from exclusively Brooklyn College playwrights. It also is the first official show to ever perform in Brooklyn College’s brand new Tow Center for the Performing Arts. It has been an amazing production to work on with a truly exceptional cast and crew and I’m excited to share it with you all. As a young adult, Porto finds herself disillusioned with life, turning to her local bar for comfort and platonic companionship. In Kate Benson’s hilarious and unmistakable voice, [PORTO] addresses modern ennui with feminist discourse and literal icons. But can Porto take risks when she knows how the sausage is made? Performances are Oct. 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th at 7:30 and 6th at 2. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Bring A Weasel And A Pint of Your Own Blood Festival

Every summer, the Brooklyn College playwrighting department (helmed by Mac Wellman) has a play festival featuring four new alumni who create 40 minutes of new work. This year, thanks to a partnership with The Public Theater, we were able to present these pieces in The Public’s Shiva Theater. I directed Woe is Me by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, a theatrical essay which examined the similarities between actors and doctors and their need to heal and be seen. I also associate directed term of art by Kate Kremer. Both pieces were beautiful and it was a wonderful experience.

The Douchegirl Play (Better Name Pending)

And for something completely different, I worked on Duncan Pflaster’s new play in the role of intimacy/fight coordinator. It was a fun, sexy romp presented in August as part of the UnFringed Festival at the Secret Theatre in Queens. Theater Is Easy said “ Naturally, such a revelatory play is also transformed by the combined Fight/Intimacy Coordinator (the ever-present Emily Edwards).” I enjoyed working with the talented cast to create safe but exciting moments within the show.

It’s Getting Tired Mildred

And finally, I will be returning to the monthly, late-night 80′s soap opera for the stage in the role of Lacy Verdon: the co-owner of The Hideaway in the neighboring Mildred Falls and the person responsible for all of Mildred Springs’ coke habits. For its 5th season, Mildred, created by Roger Nasser, has moved up to The Loft at The Davenport Theater after selling out the entire last season at Under St. Marks. The next episode is October 13th and you can get all the other details here.

[em-edwards]

One year down, one to go

Whew. Well that was a year. I just finished my first year of grad school in the MFA directing program at Brooklyn College. It was very exciting and extremely useful, but also very busy. Here’s a quick recap of all the projects I did in and out of school since last fall, as well as a few upcoming projects to check out:

The New Margo

(From L: Aimee Kibbe, Angela Katherine, Rachel Fink, Emily Winter, Mariah Sanchez, Photo: Matt Deinhart)

For the end of our first year, each of the three directors chose a one act to direct. I picked The New Margo by Stephen Gregg. It was a Hitchcockian thriller about 5 college roommates, assumed identities, gas-lighting, and more. My actresses were absolutely fierce and handled the stage combat portion with aplomb.

Crashing

You can catch me making my HBO debut on Crashing, Season 2 Ep 7: NACA. Crashing follows the journey of stand-up comedian Pete Holmes as his character tries to make it in the comedy world. I was hired as a balloon artist by the art department and spent the day making all the balloon creatures you see in the episode as well as making a few cameos throughout the episode.

It’s Getting Tired Mildred

Yes that’s right, my journey playing Lacy Verdon, the co-owner of The Hideaway in the neighboring Mildred Falls and resident coke dealer for the upstanding citizens of Mildred Springs, as part of the monthly late night 80′s soap opera for the stage, It’s Getting Tired Mildred, created by Roger Nasser, has continued. Season 4 just wrapped this past week with a few exciting cliff-hangers, but Season 5 will pick back up in September.

The Dysfunctional Swingers

We performed in another Midnight Radio Show Cabaret this January and have returned to Governors Island for the summer as part of The Dysfunctional Collective. We are excited to be hosting 2 swing dances out there, thanks to Governors Island’s new late Fridays. Our first dance is on the 29th and we would love to see you there. Follow us on our facebook page for more information.

The Bring A Weasel and A Pint of Your Own Blood Playwright Festival

The festival features 4 graduating playwrights from Brooklyn College’s MFA Playwright Program, headed by Mac Wellman. They create new works which is split up into 2 nights and will be presented at The Public’s Shiva Theater August 17th-24th. I am going to be spending my summer as assistant director for Program A which features Term of Art by Kate Kremer and Woe is Me by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff.

[em-edwards]

Summer Break is Over

Not that I really had a break this summer, but now that school has officially started, I can look back on those “lazy days” with fond remembrance. Here’s what I’ve been up to the past few months.

2017 Summer Sling

I was thrilled to take part in the 4-day Summer Sling and be a part of the choreography track which looked at stage combat from a choreographer’s perspective and discover what it means to create an effective fight for the stage. We created our own fights from a number of different plays as well as took workshops in motion capture, musicality, master classes with leaders in the field who gave us feedback on our work, what it means to play the wound, as well as workshops on the idea of intimacy choreography. This was a new concept to me but one that made a lot of sense and I really gained a lot of insight in ways I can be a better director/choreographer. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

The Bacchae

Dreamed up by Amy Overman Plowman of The Dysfunctional Theatre Company, this 35 minute production out on Governors Island was/is a way to release some much-needed feminist energy into the world. The all-female cast performs an immersive updated version of the ancient Greek tragedy. I take part in it as lead dancer, and co-choreographed the production with Nicole Lee Aiossa. It opened last weekend and is running this weekend as well on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 and 4:30 at the Dysfunctional Collective house on Governors Island. For more information, visit the facebook invite or read Adam McGovern’s lovely review of the show. Also, admission is free.

It’s Getting Tired Mildred

The season premiere of It’s Getting Tired Mildred, the ongoing late night soap opera for stage makes it’s return for its 24th episode next Saturday, October 7th. I’ll be returning as Lacy Verdon, the co-owner of the gay bar, The Hideaway, in the neighboring town of Mildred Falls who has a few secrets stashed away. The show is at Under St. Marks at 10:30 pm. Tickets are $20. For more information, click here.

Must Wash Hands

Finally, I’m excited to start work on a school production next week! I’ll be assistant director and choreographer for April Ranger’s Must Wash Hands which will be directed by Anna Strasser as her thesis project. This world premiere will be at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in Manhattan, November 10th-15th. For more information, visit Brooklyn College’s Theater Department website.

[em-edwards]

This Summer is Smokin‘ Hot

Whew! Summer is here and I have been taking advantage of it to the tenth degree. It has not stopped, which is awesome. Here are a few recaps and some new events to look forward to.

Ti Adoro, Herr Trump!

Performed as part of The Brick’s This Is Not Normal Festival, this show exceeded my wildest expectations. Featuring the brilliant work of Amanda LaPergola, Andrianna Smela, Dylan J. Sampson, and Maria Dessena, it was absolutely my pleasure to direct and choreograph this innovative satirical fascist cabaret. But don’t take my word for it. Check out the lovely review from Adam McGovern on HiLobrow.com.

My HBO Debut

Had an amazing day combining two things I love, performing and being a balloon artist on a season 2 episode of the HBO series Crashing, produced by Judd Apatow and starring comedian Pete Holmes. He was very sweet and loved the balloon avatar I made for him at the end of the day. Look for me and my balloon creations in the episode when season 2 airs in...2018(?)

It’s Getting Tired Mildred!

Yes it’s true, after choreographing a fight for the show last November, I am now officially a part of the cast of Mildred, the monthly soap opera created by Roger Nasser. I made my debut in June in the special Queerly Festival Episode with my character Lacey Verdon, who is the co-owner of the Hideaway in the neighboring town of Mildred Falls. Stay tuned for the show’s return in September to see what happens.  

The Dysfunctional Swingers

We’re having a great summer out on Governors Island as part of The Dysfunctional Collective and had a few great performances with Mel DeLancey singing showtunes for us to dance to. Next up, we have several performances in the next two weeks! We are pleased to join Midnight Radio Show for another of their magical, thoroughly creative and talent-packed benefits on July 26th. Brendan and I have cooked up a brand new routine specifically for their swamp themed night, so come see the spectacle! For more information and for tickets, visit their website. And then we are thrilled to be a guest artist in Nicole Pasquale’s Woke AF: A Mind-Opening Variety Show on Aug 3rd at UCB East. It should be a funny, real-talk sort of night. For more info, check out the official Woke AF fb page. And as always, you can check out our fb page to keep current on all our upcoming shows, or become a Patreon subscriber and get even more perks.

[em-edwards]

Moving Right Along

Grad School

Yes, that’s right, I’m very pleased to say that I’ll be heading to Brooklyn College as an MFA Candidate for Directing starting this fall. I’m thrilled to be one of three students accepted and look forward to the next two years as I work towards my degree and become a better director. Even more thrilled that I don’t have to leave the city I love to do it.

Ti Adoro, Herr Trump!

I’m so excited to be directing this satirical, fascist cabaret piece for The Brick’s This Is Not Normal festival in June. The one hour show follows the journey of a pair of newly awakened divas from 1930′s fascist Italy and Germany. With the help of their loyal intern, Brian, they celebrate the inevitable conversion of the United States to a fascist state. Featuring the talented likes of Amanda LaPergola, Adrianna Smela, and Dylan J. Sampson with music director Maria Dessena, the show is certainly going to an evening to remember. Performances are June 11th at 2pm, June 17th at 6pm, and June 26th at 7pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. If you are inspired and wish to throw something towards our costs, you can visit our fundraising page. 

The Dysfunctional Swingers on Governors Island

The Dysfunctional Swingers are back for their third summer residency on Governors Island as part of The Dysfunctional Collective. Our first performance day on the island was shared with Mel DeLancey of I Heart Showtunes and we did a couple of musical numbers together. We’re planning on reprising that for the June 4th date, with the added bonus of having the Bobby Oahu Band there as well. So come over to Nolan Park, House 8B for some free swing dance lessons and performances. And we’ll be back in September (after the heat of the summer dissipates) so if you miss us now, come visit then! You can keep current with all of our happenings on our Facebook page.

[em-edwards]

Puppets, Dancing, and More

NJIT-Rutgers Theatre Arts’ Avenue Q

I started out the year working as choreographer on NJIT’s production of Avenue Q, the musical which is essentially an R-rated Sesame Street. This was my first time choreographing a show with puppets and led to some interesting challenges for me. It was also a very unique production in that, instead of renting them, all the puppets were made by students. The talented cast was absolutely lovely to work with and the show was very well received by the audiences.

Over Share Cabaret: The Ex Edition

After our last successful appearance in the holiday show in December, the Dysfunctional Swingers have been asked to return to this new incarnation of the Over Share Cabaret, taking place in a new venue, The Slipper Room, on 3/30 and 4/6 at 7:30. The lineup is full of very talented guests and we’re excited to bring all new sexy and fun material to the show. Tickets are $15/adv, $20/door, $25 for VIP seating, and available at sexloveandshowtunes.com.

Dysfunctional Swingers on Patreon I’m excited to announce that the Dysfunctional Swingers have launched our very own Patreon account. Patreon is an online fundraising model where rather than having a one-time goal, money can be raised in a monthly format, giving longevity to creators, and allowing patrons to donate in smaller monthly amounts, such as $1 or $5. This campaign is designed to help us with our out-of-pocket expenses. Our Patreon page can be found here.

[em-edwards]

End of 2016

It’s Getting Tired Mildred

It’s Getting Tired Mildred is a monthly episodic late night soap opera, created by Roger Nasser, and performed at The Brick. I was excited to be asked to help with Episode 18: Love in Bloom, last November’s episode. It was a special episode centered around the wedding of Constance and Brice. And what would a soap opera wedding episode be without a little drama? I was the fight choreographer for the climatic brawl between 9 women consisting of bridesmaids, guests, one of the guest’s dog, the event planner, and of course, the bride. It was delightfully fun and hopefully not the last time I end up in Mildred Springs.

Overshare Cabaret: Fallen Angels

Another episodic piece of theater happening in the city, Mel DeLancey’s semi-monthly cabaret focuses on the theme of “Sex, Love, and Showtunes”. The December holiday show was no exception, and the Dysfunctional Swingers had a few numbers in the show, including the song and dance number “What’s Good for the Goose” shown above. The show was absolutely a joy to be a part of and we even worked in some tango to a Leonard Cohen song sung by the fabulous Brianna Tyson. I’m pleased to say we were asked back for the spring episode so check out the Overshare Cabaret website for more information on that.

[em-edwards]

New Dance Videos

She Kills Monsters

NJIT-Rutgers’ production of Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters was a huge hit with the Newark audiences. In the trailer above you can see some of the choreography I created for the show. I had a wonderful time working with director Louis Wells and the entire cast and production team. Next up at NJIT, I’ll be co-directing and choreographing their production of Avenue Q which goes up the first week in March.

At Long Last

At Long Last is the final video made by The Dysfunctional Swingers made during our 2016 summer residency on Governors Island as part of the Dysfunctional Collective. I’m really delighted with how it came out. Our goal was to highlight some of the beautiful and unusual architecture found on Governors Island. It’s such an amazing and unknown resource for New Yorkers. To prove that, we shot this video on a weekday and in the four plus hours of filming, we only had to wait twice for another person to move out of the shot. I can’t wait for them to reopen the island on Memorial Day. In the mean time, The Dysfunctional Swingers will be performing at Mel DeLancey’s Overshare Cabaret Dec 1st and 8th. For more information, visit our facebook page.