Emma Couling

City/State: Chicago, IL

Age: Old enough to know how to use a tape deck, young enough that social media doesn’t frighten me

Racial / Ethnic Identity: White

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: Cis-Woman, Queer

 

Why do you want to write for Rescripted? I believe in arts writing as a tool to change the industry.

What are your artistic disciplines? Director, Moderator, Writer, Consultant

What “lenses” do you bring with you when you go to a show? Anti-Racism, Feminism, Advocacy

Who is your favorite theatre artist and why? Truly, I do not know. I have many peers who I admire and love. And there are many people in the industry whom I find to be inspiring.

Bio/Website: Emma Couling (she/her/hers) is a critic and arts writer primarily for Newcity Stage and a non-profit administrator for Inspiration Corporation which provides homeless programs for individuals experiencing poverty in Chicago. She has worked as a moderator for conversations surrounding anti-racism, feminism, de-colonization and conflict resolution for Haven Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Teatro Vista, and Victory Gardens among others. She helped to found Chicago Theatre Marathon where she coordinates their civic dramaturgy and post-show conversations, as well as Northern Voices Walking Tours which is in it’s 12th year of providing historic, women’s history, and ghost tours in Upper Michigan led by her parents Mary and Jim Couling. Couling is also a freelance director, with credits including Pirates of Penzance aboard The Tall Ship Windy, Little Women, Shake Teeth Shake (20% Theatre Company), and Into the Woods (EDGE Theatre Company)

Kristiana Rae Colon’s ‘Tilikum’ Reflects Humanity’s Misguided Priorities – 7/12/18

Rescripted Reveal: Arts Writer Emma Couling Will F*ck You Up – 8/20/18

Finding Refuge in Love in ‘Vietgone’ – 9/12/18

When The Show Must Not Go On: Chicago Artists Respond to Controversial Casting Notice – 9/22/18