6 March - 22 March, 2026
Directors: Kara McLane Burke, Sian Richards
GIBSON THEATER MARCH 6-22 Jane Austen's most mischievous matchmaker bursts onto the Live Arts stage in Kate Hamill's effervescent adaptation of this beloved classic novel. Kate Hamill’s Emma is a fast-paced, inventive adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel that blends sharp wit, theatrical flair, and modern sensibility. Staying true to Austen’s sparkling language while infusing the story with physical comedy and playful staging, the play follows the well-meaning but misguided Emma Woodhouse as she navigates love, matchmaking, and self-discovery in her close-knit community. Hamill’s adaptation highlights the novel’s feminist undercurrents and emotional depth, offering a fresh, accessible take on a classic that resonates with contemporary audiences while celebrating Austen’s enduring insight into human relationships.
Ella Caplin as EMMA WOODHOUSE
Lydia Cuffman as HARRIET SMITH
Sarbajeet Das as GEORGE KNIGHTLEY
Bella Hersman as JANE FAIRFAX
Kiri Gardner as MRS. WESTON
Hannah Vidaver as MISS. BATES
Bill LeSueur as MR. WOODHOUSE/MR. WESTON
Joey Wharton as MR. ELTON/SERVANT
Jude Hansen as FRANK CHURCHILL/MR. MARTIN
Stephanie Finn as MRS. ELTON/SERVANT
Gabrielle Laskey as MRS. BATES/SERVANT
by Kate Hamill, co-directed by Kara McLane Burke & Sian Richards
Jane Austen’s most mischievous matchmaker bursts onto the Live Arts stage in Kate Hamill’s effervescent adaptation of this beloved classic novel. Brimming with feminist verve and playful spectacle, Emma invites audiences of all generations to join the fun, laugh at love’s surprises, and discover why Austen’s wit still feels electric today.
It’s smart. It’s riotous. It’s the winter pick-me-up you didn’t know you needed.
“Inventively and deliriously fun…Prepare to be charmed.”
—Star Tribune
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