With 13+ years of experience in LA's creative economy, Emily Wanserski collaborates with artists of all disciplines to develop sustainable careers, organizations, and systems. Although she has written many strategic plans, Emily prefers strategic doing: rapid prototyping, developing framework and experimenting. Her latest venture is co-founding the Center for Provocative Thought, a dynamic residency space that fuels intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of unconventional ideas.
Emily co-created and co-leads JUMPSTART/LA with Laura Berg and Gracie Whyte Ground Grooves; WHYTEBERG). This week-long summer program supports early career artists in building sustainable dance careers, gain insight into LA's performing arts ecosystem, and develop crucial entrepreneurial skills.
Selected clients include: the Annenberg Foundation, Arts Bridging the Gap, Barak Ballet, Banjee Ball/Purple Crush, BODYTRAFFIC, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City of West Hollywood, Ground Grooves, Intel, Invertigo Dance Theatre, LA Contemporary Dance Company, LA Follies, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Nike, Perkins+Will, Royal Shakespeare Company, Suarez Dance Theater, Sundance Film Festival, and the University of Southern California. Emily collaborates with many individual artists, particularly choreographers who are pursuing unique projects including: Marissa Labog, Melanie George, and Toogie Barcelo.
Emily has taught at AMDA, CalState LA, Collegiate Arts Prep, LMU, Santa Monica College, UCLA, and the University of Michigan. She holds dual degrees, BA in Political Science & BFA in Dance, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and most recently joined the Choreographers Guild Advisory Board.
Speaking engagements:
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MashUp's International Women's Day Festival — March 2021, 2022, & 2023 — Los Angeles, CA
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WeHo Artists Roundtable — February 2023 — City of West Hollywood, CA
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The Entertainment Community Fund's Dancers on The Move Panel Series — July 2022 — Virtual
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LA Contemporary Dance Company's Premiere of Finding Meemoo — November 2021 — Los Angeles, CA
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IDTW Action Film Festival's Women Empowerment Panel — August 2018 — Austin, TX
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Dance/USA Conference — June 2018 — Los Angeles, CA
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Dance/USA Webinar Series "Audience Building: Extending Reach with Technology" — 2017 — Virtual
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Dance/USA Conference — June 2016 — Austin, TX
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Design for Dance Conference — April 2016 — ODC Theater in San Francisco, CA
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Conference for Research on Choreographic Interfaces — February 2016 — Brown University in Providence, RI
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Directors Lab West — May 2013 — Pasadena, CA
Affiliations, Boards, and Committees:
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Choreographers Guild, Advisory Board Member — January 2024-Present
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MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Board Member — 2022-Present
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Santa Monica College, Commercial Dance Certificate of Achievement Advisory Board — 2022-Present
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Dance/USA's LA Conference Host Committee — 2018
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LA Contemporary Dance Company, Board Member — 2015-2018
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The University of Michigan's LSA Young Alumni Council, Member/Mentor — 2013-2018