Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Emily is proud to be part of a flourishing artistic community. The daughter of a comedic playwright and educator, she grew up watching reverently as her father, Todd Putnam, wrote produced and directed more than 15 critically acclaimed musical comedies. Emily got her first pair of tap shoes at age three, and by age ten she landed her first big role (and still a favorite): Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Her time onstage piqued an interest in studying classical voice and choral music. She began formally training in middle school, and before graduating from high school, received both acting and voice training at Carnegie Mellon University, Boston University Summer Theatre Institute, and at the New York State Summer School of the Arts. Holiday seasons growing up were either spent singing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's Holiday Pops Ensemble, or onstage at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester's holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.
Her time onstage piqued an interest in studying classical voice and choral music. She began formally training in middle school, and before graduating from high school, received both acting and voice training at Carnegie Mellon University, Boston University Summer Theatre Institute, and at the New York State Summer School of the Arts. Holiday seasons growing up were either spent singing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's Holiday Pops Ensemble, or onstage at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester's holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.
A proud graduate of Ithaca College, Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama. She was incredibly lucky to spend a semester of her undergraduate career studying contemporary British theatre in London. There she had the privilege of studying productions at some of Europe's finest theatres, such as Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, The Barbican, National Theatre, Orange Tree Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and others.
Emily has been nominated for two Rochester Broadway Theatre League 'Stars of Tomorrow' awards: in 2006 for Cathy in Singin' In The Rain, and again in 2007 for Laurie in Oklahoma!. She took second place in the musical theatre division of the Barbara Staropoli Vocal Competition in 2006 at Nazareth College. When she's not rehearsing or performing, Emily practices yoga, pretends to enjoy running, and occasionally a fumbles with the guitar.
Emily has been nominated for two Rochester Broadway Theatre League 'Stars of Tomorrow' awards: in 2006 for Cathy in Singin' In The Rain, and again in 2007 for Laurie in Oklahoma!. She took second place in the musical theatre division of the Barbara Staropoli Vocal Competition in 2006 at Nazareth College. When she's not rehearsing or performing, Emily practices yoga, pretends to enjoy running, and occasionally a fumbles with the guitar.
I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. - Oscar Wilde
© Emily Putnam 2019
