Emilie Whelan arrived at West Edge Opera in 2019 after a career in the bayous of New Orleans where she was a major force in arts and development post-Katrina. There she oversaw the development of NHP Foundation’s arts programming, Cripple Creek Theater Company, The Fringe Theater Festival New Orleans, and The DISTILLERY Artist Residency at the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans for mid-career performing artists.

 

She is also an Associate Artist of Oakland Theater Project in Oakland, and a professor at Chabot College and Contra Costa College for Theater History and Acting. She’s received a BFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and an MFA UC San Diego.