With over 14 years of experience in LA's creative economy, Emily Wanserski partners with artists disciplines to build sustainable careers, organizations, and systems. While she has written her fair share of strategic plans, she's far more interested in strategic doing: rapid prototyping, developing framework and testing ideas in real time. She is a Co-Founder of the Center for Provocative Thought, an experimental residency space that fuels research, creative process, and bold ideas.

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Emily also 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, navigating LA's performing arts ecosystem, and sharpening essential entrepreneurial skills. 

 

Her client list spans institutions and grassroots initiatives alike including: Annenberg Foundation, Arts Bridging the Gap, BODYTRAFFIC, City of Cedar Park (Texas), City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City of West Hollywood, Ground Grooves, Invertigo Dance Theatre, LA Contemporary Dance Company, LA Follies, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Nike, Perkins+Will, Royal Shakespeare Company, Sundance Film Festival, and the University of Southern California.

 

Emily works closely with individual artists, especially choreographers, through one-on-one coaching that blends big-picture strategy with practical support in budgeting, grant writing, marketing, and creative planning. She has partnered with artists including Brian Golden, Cat Rendic, Gianna Burright, Leah Zeiger, Madi Hicks, Marissa Labog, Melanie George, Toogie Barcelo, and Diana Wyenn. 

 

A frequent guest lecturer, Emily has taught at AMDA, LMU, Santa Monica College, UCLA, USC and the University of Michigan, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Dance. She currently serves on the Choreographers Guild Advisory Board.