Emma Jude Harris

Emma Jude Harris (she/her) is an award-winning London-based director and dramaturg, originally from Los Angeles. After studying literature at Sarah Lawrence College, Emma relocated to the UK. She received an MA in Shakespeare Studies from King's College London and Shakespeare’s Globe and trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama on MFA Advanced Theatre Practice.

Emma works across forms in new writing, opera, music theatre, and ‘canonical’ theatre with a particular interest in early modern theatre and the Restoration. As a neurodivergent Jewish American immigrant, Emma champions dismantling inherited notions of canonical value, platforming marginalised and diasporic voices, and ethical representation both onstage and off.

For Edinburgh Fringe 2024, Emma directed and dramaturged the premieres of two new plays: REVENGE: AFTER THE LEVOYAH by Nick Cassenbaum (Summerhall, Anatomy Lecture Theatre), and HOW I LEARNED TO SWIM by Somebody Jones (Roundabout @ Summerhall, Brixton House and Bristol Old Vic). For her direction of both productions, Emma was awarded The Stage Fringe Five as a breakout theatremaker of 2024. Natasha Tripney wrote, "What knits these two, stylistically distinct productions together is Harris' extremely capable direction. [...] Both productions give a real sense of a director of skill and versatitility." REVENGE: AFTER THE LEVOYAH won a Scotsman Fringe First award, as well as the Summerhall Lustrum Award for unforgettable theatre shows. Both HOW I LEARNED TO SWIM and REVENGE: AFTER THE LEVOYAH were shortlisted for the BBC Popcorn Award for New Writing.

Emma’s credits on historical work include directing the English premiere of Amy Beach’s chamber opera CABILDO (Arcola Theatre and Wilton’s Music Hall); dramaturging Ellen McDougall's production of Lillian Hellman’s WATCH ON THE RHINE (Donmar Warehouse); and directing productions of THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR and ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (East 15). She was the research consultant on Prasanna Puwanarajah's production of VENICE PRESERVED (RSC) and on Nikhil Vyas' THE MOSINEE PROJECT (Untapped Winner, Underbelly 2024). Emma has facilitated decolonised Restoration projects for drama schools, including THE BASSET TABLE (RADA) and THE ROVER (Oxford School of Drama).

While initially focused on looking to the past to illuminate the present, Emma has also found herself drawn to close collaborations with contemporary writers and makers. She often works as either director, dramaturg, or director and dramaturg, to develop new work from its early stages, such as Somebody Jones' HOW I LEARNED TO SWIM (Roundabout @ Summerhall, Brixton House, and Bristol Old Vic), Nick Cassenbaum's REVENGE: AFTER THE LEVOYAH (Soho Theatre and Summerhall), Uri Agnon’s ANTISEMITISM : (((A MUSICAL))) (Camden People's Theatre), and David Merriman’s THE AWAKENING OF CHEERFUL FEELINGS UPON THE ARRIVAL OF SINGLE MEN OF GOOD FORTUNE (RCSSD), a queer operatic adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Emma works extensively at drama schools and is passionate about empowering the next generation of artists to make work safely and inclusively. She has directed and taught at RADA, Central School of Speech and Drama, Guildhall, Mountview, Rose Bruford, East 15, and Oxford School of Drama.

Associate/assistant directing credits include: THE FAIRY QUEEN (Longborough Festival Opera), THE CORONATION OF POPPEA (English Touring Opera), CINDERELLA (English Touring Opera), ROYAL ACADEMY OPERA TRIPLE BILL (Royal Academy of Music), and THESE WONDERING STONES (Barbican).

Emma is the recipient of a Global Talent visa.