Welcome to our SPRINGBOARD SPOTLIGHT! BMFA will feature a series of individual Springboard Grant winners, so that our readers can follow their progress. Our inaugural SPOTLIGHT shines on Amber Emerson, one of our first grant recipients in 2014. Enjoy learning about her!
Amber Emerson
At what age did you begin performing and what inspired you to do so?
I was 11 years old, and I played one of the orphans in “Annie.” I had seen my brother play Perchik in “Fiddler on the Roof” and then I got to play Jane, and also a Lost Boy, in “Peter Pan.” I was hooked!
What was the most exciting thing that’s happened to you as you’ve pursued the performing arts?
Probably the most exciting was being hired, right after college graduation, as a solo jazz vocalist on a European tour to the Czech Republic. And then, a month ago, finally being cast at the Fulton Theatre in their current production of “The Sound of Music” as part of the ensemble as well as understudy for Sister Margaretta, and as second understudy for Maria! I had auditioned many times over the years, so this was a dream come true!
What are some stumbling blocks you’ve encountered along the way?
Right after I returned from my European tour, I moved to New York to follow my dreams . I was having encouraging callbacks and had just been cast in a traveling show. During those first few months in New York, I didn’t really know anyone in the industry, where having an experienced mentor could have helped me understand how important it was to learn how to take rejection in stride. And then the Pandemic hit, and Broadway and live theater everywhere shut down. 2020 and 2021 were tough.
Dream big! If you can envision achieving great success in the performing arts, describe what that would look like?
Practically speaking, being able to work professionally as an actress would be very satisfying. But honestly, my BIG dream would be to originate a major role on Broadway, or at least to star in a major revival.
What’s your favorite genre of music and why?
This depends on my mood but, generally speaking, the Golden Age of musicals would be my favorite, with the Great American Songbook a close second. And I love jazz!
Have you ever met a really famous performing artist and if so, who was it and what was your interaction?
I met Megan McGinnis in my neighborhood, and we became friends. We have taken a walk in Fort Tryon Park, and she has been very generous with advice as our friendship has grown. (Megan played Eponine in “Les Miz” on Broadway).
Describe what you think would be the most useful or beneficial thing to you, if given the opportunity to mentored by a successful artist?
I think the most useful thing would be to be part of a production that he/she was performing in. I think I learn the best from watching the process at work at close range.
As a performing artist, what stands in the way of fulfilling your dreams?
Money and time. I think it’s important to develop a system of networking and understanding how to balance an exciting career with a fulfilling personal life.
If you could have lunch with an A-list performing artist, who would that be?
Kelly O’Hara
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? 🙂
Practice!
Favorite Musician: Kelly O’Hara
Favorite Musical Instrument: Double Bass
Favorite Actress: Amy Adams (and many others)
Favorite Comedian: I don’t really have one
Favorite Dancer: Gene Kelly
Favorite Movie: “Life is Beautiful” (Italian)
Favorite Show: “Light in the Piazza”
If you couldn’t be a performing artist, what would you like to do?
Become a journalist. I love to write!
Biography
Amber graduated Summa Cum Laude from Moravian College in May 2018. A vocal performance major, focusing on classical, jazz and musical theater, she was the lead singer for Moravian’s Big Band, as well as its Jazz Combo. Her dream is to become a leading actress in musical theater on Broadway. While in high school she played leads in several regional productions, winning the Best Actress Under 25 Award: 2013 Broadway World Central PA Awards, and a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Hershey Theater Apollo Awards. She also interned as the ingénue lead in the summer of 2014 at the popular Gretna Theater in Mt. Gretna, PA. She is enchanting on the stage, and if fortune goes her way, we believe she has what it takes to become a star. Her Springboard Grant funded private acting and dance instruction during college breaks and two workshops in the summer of 2015: Broadway Dreams Foundation Intensive, and The Barrow Group acting intensive. In the summer of 2016, she made her professional mainstage debut at the Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, starring as Philia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” She was the featured vocalist with internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Skip Wilkins at Delaware Water Gap’s iconic Deerhead Inn – the oldest continuously-running jazz club in the country – and again on tour in the Czech Republic in July 2018. After the tour Amber moved to New York City, auditioning vigorously to achieve her dreams and in 2019 she starred to rave reviews as Marian the Librarian in the Servant Stage Production of “The Music Man” in Lancaster, PA. Then the pandemic hit, and all theaters went dark. That makes 2022 even more exciting. Currently Amber has been cast in “The Sound of Music” at the iconic Fulton Theater in Lancaster, PA – a longtime dream fulfilled. She is also appearing at Fulton in their TYA (Theater for Young Audiences) musical, “Sherlock Holmes.
