With over 15 years of experience in LA's creative economy, Emily Wanserski partners with artists across disciplines to build sustainable careers, organizations, and systems. Her work spans institutions, municipalities, corporations, and grassroots initiatives. While she has written her fair share of strategic plans, she's far more interested in strategic doing and rapid prototyping. Selected clients & collaborators include: Annenberg Foundation, Arts Bridging the Gap, Brian Golden, Cat Rendic, City of Cedar Park, City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs, City of West Hollywood, Diana Wyenn, Gianna Burright, Ground Grooves, Invertigo Dance Theatre, LA Follies, Marissa Labog, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Melanie George, Perkins+Will, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Toogie Barcelo.
She is Co-Founder of the Center for Provocative Thought, a residency space and resource hub that fuels research, creative process, professional development, and co-production. Within this work, she develops initiatives such as JUMPSTART/LA and supports artists, including The Seaweed Sisters, who are premiering a new LIVE work in June 2026.
A frequent guest lecturer, Emily has taught at AMDA, LMU, Santa Monica College, UCLA, University of Southern California, and the University of Michigan, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Dance. She currently serves on the Choreographers Guild Advisory Board and CONTRA-TIEMPO's Board of Directors.
Photo by Hope Spears
Nicole Hagen & Natalie Allen performing in Gianna Burright's As If Everything Was Perfect, developed at Dance Gallery Festival, Jacob's Pillow, and Baryshnikov Arts Center.
Photographed by Hope Spears
“Working with Emily is a true gift. I have grown more confident in the administrative side of being a dance artist and clearer on my mission. This is largely to do with Emily’s innate ability to listen and reframe my thoughts, images and ideas into language that reflects the work I am doing. She makes me want to dig deeper into my why, and the process of doing so positively impacts the work I create in the studio.
I look forward to my meetings with Emily and know that I will walk away with actionable items that make my journey as an artist less isolated, scary and daunting. Emily is someone who loves and supports her people and that is felt through her communication, time, energy, kindness, honesty, thoughtfulness, attentiveness, thoroughness — and pure passion to elevate the dance industry.”