Everyman Theatre Will Present Kate Hamill's EMMA in Baltimore
Everyman Theatre's resident company brings Kate Hamill's adaptation of Jane Austen's classic to the stage
Everyman Theatre will present the exuberant new adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, written by Kate Hamill, onstage May 17 through June 14, 2026. Directed by Laura Kepley (POTUS: OR, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,
The Book Club Play), this production offers a fast-paced, modern take on the classic story of love and romance, bringing a mischievous, feminist flair to Emma Woodhouse's matchmaking adventures.
Bold and brimming with heart, Kate Hamill's EMMA follows the "matchmaker" who is so busy meddling in the lives of others that she nearly misses her own chance at happiness. Renowned for her imaginative adaptations, Hamill infuses the story with high energy and a sharp wit that resonates with today's audience while honoring the novel's deep sincerity.
“This production is a springtime delight,” states Kepley. “Kate Hamill has an incredible gift for bringing contemporary heartbeat to classic literature. Come see what happens when Bridgerton meets Clueless in a heartwarming comedy that promises an evening of laughter, romance, and delightful surprises.”
The production features an ensemble of Everyman Resident Company members and guest artists, including:
- Katie Kleiger (Deceived) as Emma Woodhouse
- Megan Anderson (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as Jane Fairfax/Mrs. Elton
- Beth Hylton (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as Mrs. Weston
- Tony Nam (Dawn) as George Knightley
- Jefferson A Russell (August Wilson's The Piano Lesson) as Mr. Weston/Mr. Woodhouse
- Helen Hedman (And Then There Were None) as Miss Bates
- Zack Powell (Deceived) as Mr. Elton/Frank Churchill
- Nia Zagami in her Everyman debut as Harriet Smith
“It is a thrill to bring such a vibrant, high-energy production like Kate Hamill's EMMA to our stage,” says Everyman Theatre Founder Vincent M. Lancisi. “At Everyman, we have always been dedicated to storytelling that feels immediate and accessible, and Hamill's ‘mischievous flair' does exactly that — it takes the Jane Austen world we love and gives it a whip-smart, modern pulse. With Laura Kepley's visionary direction and our radiant Resident Company at the center, this production is a celebration of romantic comedy that I know will leave our Baltimore audiences completely charmed.”
Joining Kepley, the creative team bringing the world of Highbury to life includes:
- Resident Artist Daniel Ettinger (Scenic Design, The Piano Lesson)
- Resident Artist David Burdick (Costume Design, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike)
- Juan Juarez Dawn (Lighting Design)
- Jane Shaw (Sound Design)
- Denise O'Brien (Wig Design)
- Shalyce Hemby (Choreography)
- Resident Artist Lewis Shaw (Fights and Intimacy)
- Resident Artist Gary Logan (Dialects)
- Resident Artist Robyn Quick (Dramaturgy)
Cat Wallis and Molly Prunty will lead the stage management team.
EMMA
by Kate Hamill
Based on the novel by Jane Austen
Directed by Laura Kepley
Onstage May 17, 2026 – June 14, 2026
There are 33 scheduled public performances of EMMA. Performance tickets start at $48. Everyman offers more than 700 Pay-What-You-Choose seats across the entire run, with seats allocated to every performance. These discount programs serve Everyman's mission to remove barriers and enable as many people as possible to share the joys of live theatre. Tickets are on sale now at everymantheatre.org or by contacting the box office at boxoffice@everymantheatre.org or calling 410.752.2208. Standard box office hours are Monday through Friday, 12pm-5pm.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Thursday, May 14- An Afternoon with Jane Austen and Everyman Theatre, 2- 3pm: Experience Austen's work brought to life by Everyman artists who will recite a collection of Austen's work within the Walters' 18th-century Renaissance and Baroque galleries.
- Thursday, May 14- Through the Mind of Jane Austen, Bromo Art Walk Event, 5-9pm: This unique collaboration between Everyman Theatre, the Bromo Arts District, and the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre celebrates a place where Regency charm meets Gothic mystery. Highlights include -Thinking of Emma: Alex Zavistovich (National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre) reading excerpts from Austen's beloved novel and Alexander the Pretty Good performing Austen-inspired mentalism to predict the words in your head.
- Sunday, May 17 – Pay-What-You-Choose (PWYC): The Baltimore community is invited to enjoy the first preview at a pay-what-you-choose price point. General Admission seating is on a first come-first serve basis.
- Sunday, May 17 – Theatre-Night-For-Teens: the ultimate social event for high-school-aged students who want to see a play, meet other teens interested in theatre, and engage directly with the artists who create professionally! https://everymantheatre.org/event/tnt/
- May 19 – 21 – Previews: Performance begins at 7:00 PM. Be among the first to see the production.
- Sunday, May 31 – Childcare Matinee Performance: Everyman Theatre's Education Team provides professional, creative childcare for children ages 3–12. For $30 per child, parents can enjoy a matinee performance knowing their children are supported by Everyman staff in a reliable and engaging environment. https://everymantheatre.org/event/childcare-matinees/
- Tuesday, June 2- Midday Matinee, 12pm: A special daytime performance of Emma for those who prefer a "theatre lunch break" or a perfect daytime escape.
- Thursday, June 4 – Cast Conversation, post-show: Stay after the performance for a 30-minute facilitated talk-back where we extend the conversation beyond the stage in a post-show artist discussion.
- Saturday, June 6– Audio Description (AD) Performance: live narration of visual elements relayed through personal headsets. These accessible performances are offered to patrons who are blind or have low vision.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Kate Hamill is deeply passionate about creating new feminist, female-centered classics, both in new plays and in adaptation - stories that center around complicated women. Her work as a playwright celebrates theatricality, often features absurdity, and closely examines social and gender issues - as well as the timeless struggle to reconcile conscience/identity with social pressures. As an actor, she tends to play people with intense drives and desires - truth-tellers, oddballs, and misfits. She was named 2017's Playwright of the Year by the Wall Street Journal. She has been one of the 10 most-produced playwrights in the country for the last 7 years running, from 2017-2024; she is now the most-produced playwright in the USA. In both 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, she wrote two of the top 10 most produced plays in the U.S.; many of her plays have been produced internationally. https://www.kate-hamill.com/about
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
LAURA KEPLEY is an artistic leader and educator who served as Artistic Director at Cleveland Playhouse, where the theatre received the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award under her leadership. A Drama League and NEA/TCG Directing Fellow, her directing credits include world premieres at Alliance Theatre, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She previously served as Artistic Associate at Trinity Rep and has been on the teaching faculty at Brown University and Case Western Reserve University.
ABOUT EVERYMAN THEATRE
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity Theatre company in Baltimore's Bromo Arts District. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, Everyman centers its storytelling with a Resident Company of artists to carry out its mission of offering transformative, accessible theatre experiences. Led by Lancisi and Managing Director Marissa LaRose, Everyman Theatre, now in its 35th season, invests in its community, believing that theatre is at its best when it's “Built in Baltimore.”
Each season, the theatre employs more than 150 full- and part-time staff, actors, designers, and teaching artists to bring its programming to the people of Baltimore and the surrounding counties. Everyman Theatre is supported in part by lead corporate sponsor Gallagher, Evelius & Jones, LLP; the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org); the citizens of Baltimore County; and The Shubert Foundation. Everyman's production of EMMA is sponsored by Brenda K. Ashworth and Donald F. Welch.
Videos