Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Emily is proud to be part of an ever 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: Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Her time onstage in her early years 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 in her early years 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 spent a semester of her undergraduate career studying contemporary British theatre in London, UK, where she had the privilege of studying at some of Europe's finest theatres including The Royal Court Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, The Barbican, The National Theatre, Orange Tree Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and others.
After graduating from Ithaca College, Emily moved home to Rochester and decided it was time to start giving back to the community that made her. She performs regularly with a host of Rochester-based theatre companies including Blackfriars Theatre, WallByrd Theatre Co., The Lyric Theatre, Pittsford Musicals, Webster Theatre Guild, OFC Creations, and others. With a love of storytelling in her heart, she landed a job as a Social Media Manager with a local PR firm, handling mostly arts and non-profit clients. Her creative interest was once again piqued, and soon thereafter she started trying her hand as an on-air co-host at Rochester's NBC affiliate television station, WHEC-TV. Ms. Putnam is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Communications from the S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
When she's not working, rehearsing, or performing, Emily practices yoga and occasionally a fumbles with the guitar. She lives in the South Wedge neighborhood of Rochester with her boyfriend, Ricky.
After graduating from Ithaca College, Emily moved home to Rochester and decided it was time to start giving back to the community that made her. She performs regularly with a host of Rochester-based theatre companies including Blackfriars Theatre, WallByrd Theatre Co., The Lyric Theatre, Pittsford Musicals, Webster Theatre Guild, OFC Creations, and others. With a love of storytelling in her heart, she landed a job as a Social Media Manager with a local PR firm, handling mostly arts and non-profit clients. Her creative interest was once again piqued, and soon thereafter she started trying her hand as an on-air co-host at Rochester's NBC affiliate television station, WHEC-TV. Ms. Putnam is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Communications from the S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
When she's not working, rehearsing, or performing, Emily practices yoga and occasionally a fumbles with the guitar. She lives in the South Wedge neighborhood of Rochester with her boyfriend, Ricky.
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
