Emma Rosa Went is a Drama Desk Award-winning theatre director who makes new and classic-text plays. Her work is heartfelt, intimate, collaborative, and sexy.

She recently directed the world-premiere of Else Went's 5-hour epic Initiative at the Public Theater, which was described by Sara Holdren in New York Mag as “bracing and compassionate” and “profoundly moving.” The production was listed as #5 of Vulture’s Best Plays of 2025, and earned both a Lucille Lortel Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble, and a Drama Desk Special Award.

Emma and Else have recently been developing new work off-broadway and regionally with the Public, Playwrights Horizons, MTC, Ars Nova, NYTW, South Coast Rep, Mercury Store, Breaking the Binary, Playing on Air, and other venues.

Emma has also directed about a dozen of Shakespeare's plays. Recent work includes: Romeo and Juliet (Tour, Hudson Valley Shakespeare;) Much Ado About Nothing (Opera House Arts;) ongoing work on Hamlet with Will Frears at Mercury Store and Coffey St. Studio, and support from both Hudson Valley Shakespeare and the Public for her work on Two Noble Kinsmen. In summer 2026, Emma is directing As You Like It for the Public’s Mobile Unit, bringing free Shakespeare to all five boroughs.

From 2024-26, Emma has been on staff as the inaugural Directing Fellow at the Public Theater. She is a frequent lead-artist at Mercury Store, and an alum of the Drama League Directors Project, SDCF Observership Program, and OSF FAIR Program. She has taught or guest-lectured at Marymount Manhattan College, Brooklyn College, Freeman Studio, and (her alma mater) Sarah Lawrence College.

Emma is a Member of SDC, and she is represented by WME. // Substack.