The Washington Post review: “A noble ‘Hamlecchino’ by way of commedia del’arte”
Washingtonian ”DC’s commedia dell’arte company puts an inventive and entertaining spin on the classic Shakespeare tragedy. By Missy Frederick
DC Theatre Scene review
DC Metro Theater Arts review
Washington City Paper review
WAMU article
Capital Community News feature story on The Faction of Fools residency at Gallaudet
I am currently deep into rehearsals with The Faction of Fools on this Commedia del’Arte rendition of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy. I am having great fun playing as Ophelia- singing and dancing in the mad scenes, descending from aerial silks for the drowning. This is bound to be a thrilling show, and I genuinely hope everyone comes to see it.
April 26- May 12 Click for Tickets or follow the Faction link above for more details.
photo by Colin Hovde
Successful first showing of this work-in-progress at Sidwell Friends’ Variety Show. I am jazzed to continue the work, aiming to make it into a full-length piece within the year.
Meanwhile, I have begun a collaboration with painter Raye Leith on the piece. She has already produced some beautiful work from it. Here is one of her paintings based on the work. There will be an exhibit of the full collection at The Electric Maid in Takoma Park March 20-25. I will also be performing the latest version that Saturday. Details on my “upcoming performances” page.
For the fall of 2011 I will be back in Paris participating in a workshop with the theater company Pas de Dieux. I will be one of 15 participants coming from around the world to work together, exchange ideas and develop new ones under the guidance of Pas de Dieux’s artistic director Leela Alaniz. When I have photos and stories to share I will post them on my travel blog Joie de Vivre (because, my, what a joy). I am very excited for this indulgent time of study and growth and look forward to sharing and showing what I learn upon my return to DC in December.
Here is a video of my work at the end of the workshop. It begins with a staff combat with my partner Pedro, followed by a duet we created based on the moves of the combat, and then a solo choreographed by me.
By Constellation Theatre Co. Runs May 7- June 4th at The Source Theater
A fantastical commedia-inspired fairy tale romp. Check out the reviews and related articles:
DC Theatre Scene “There is so much to see in this play, whether or not you buy into its moral absolutes (which are on the whole so skillfully portrayed, gorgeously costumed and either hilariously exaggerated or simply stated, you give the playwright a pass) that this writer found herself happily going along for the full ride, content for two plusf hours — which positively fly by — to be transported into its magical realm. Each of the performers deserves kudos…”
We Love Arts “The whole ensemble is equally good, from Emma Crane Jaster’s vain but adorable Barbarina, to Misty Demory’s imperious statue queen and her dogged quest for a new nose.”
The Washington Post: Green Bird’s Costume Designer a feather in Constellation’s cap “Even with a bare-bones space, the spectacle extends beyond its costumes, which include outfits with strings of lights sewn into their seams… ‘We have these performers who are wonderful; they are all acrobats, fight choreographers, dancers, people that know how to tumble,’ Rai says… It adds up to a surreal mood and a creative boon for everyone from the actors to the sound team to the designers.”
See photos from the Puppetry Slam at the Puppet Co where Emma most recently performed Solo for Two.
Monday January 10th at 8pm you’ll find me at the Clown Cabaret at Fort Fringe 607 New York Ave NW, DC performing an adapted excerpt from Next Time the Neatline with live music by Matt Pearson.
I am delighted to be a part of the Cambridge Revels this year. Though I miss my beloved Washington Revels community, with whom I grew up, it is a thrill to come to the city that originated this vibrant tradition and to play with them as the timeless fool. This is my second show this season working with my dad Mark Jaster and his wife Sabrina (after a wonderfully successful first run of Cabaret Macabre in October at the Round House Theatre). For this Revels set in England’s Haddon Hall with characters spanning several centuries, dad takes on the role of Manners, the first Duke of Rutland and host of the annual party and Sabrina takes care of everything as the numero uno maid of the mansion. It is always an honor to take part in this long-standing tradition which hearkens to traditions older than itself and celebrates song, dance, camaraderie, laughter, in essence light, in the darkest time of the year.
Trying on the costume…
Check out the review in the Boston Phoenix saying “Emma Jaster would do justice to Feste or Touchstone”
See more photos of the cast, especially this one of me or this one with Mark and Sabrina taken during the run by Arthur Ferguson.
On my way to the New Orleans Fringe Festival with my first solo show Next Time the Neatline created with Matt Pearson under the auspices of the Likely Pear Theatre Company. We had a fabulous showing of it here in DC at the Corner Store. And are looking forward to trying it out on new audiences next weekend (Nov 19-21) at an exciting new Fringe far from home. Wish us luck!
A quick action shot from the performance we did at the Corner Store. Courtesy of Kris Swanson.
Here is fun little video interview I did while at the Fringe for Stage Directions. Check out the videoblog- I show up around minute 17.
See photos from the festival in their Gallery.
Julius Caesar with Taffety Punk Riot Grrrls at CHAW Oct 4-23
Cabaret Macabre with Happenstance Theatre at Round House Silver Spring Oct 29-Nov 7
Next Time the Neatline, the new show I’m developing for the New Orleans Fringe Festival with my Likely Pear (aka Matt Pearson, aka the company we’ve built together)
Tickets and details available through the links provided.