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Emily Ellis Vitrano

  • Assistant Professor, Theater

Education

  • MFA, Acting, Northern Illinois University
  • BFA, Acting, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Biography

Emily Vitrano is an actor, educator and director. She has worked regionally on many stages, including: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, and Allentown Shakespeare in the Park. Emily has also appeared on television on WTMJ-4 News as the morning traffic reporter, as well as in a national commercial for Batteries Plus Bulbs, and regional commercials for Mills Fleet Farm, Sanford Brown University, and Walgreens. Emily has directed for Renaissance Theaterworks, Northern Illinois University, Kane Repertory Theatre and The Outer Loop Theater Experience. She holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University and a BFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

With eighteen years in the industry as a professional actor, Emily understands the necessity of process and brings coveted perspective and experience to teach
and develop artistic process within her students. Whether her students go on to pursue acting full time, Emily's time with them serves them far beyond their monologue and scene work. Her emphasis on process highlights necessary soft skills such as confidence, vulnerability, empathy, knowledge of self, and accountability that will serve every student, whether they go on to tread the boards or run the boardroom.

In her work with students, she seeks to turn the mirror back on society, to challenge them to think differently, to see others differently, and to see themselves as they may never have before. Emily hopes to affect them, to change them, to push them slightly off-center. Acting and theatre are not just about memorizing lines, becoming famous, or booking the next job. Our work is the exploration of the human condition. Through their work and exploration of process, Emily's students gain a better understanding of the craft of acting, a deeper understanding of themselves and an understanding of how process affects their work and longevity in the industry.

Emily's areas of research include performance and Imagination and Somatic Response in Shaping Actor Preparation, Process, and Performance.

Links

Recent & Selected Works

Plays & Musicals

  • Simon, Neil. Barefoot in the Park. Directed by Suzan Fete, Renaissance Theaterworks, 22 Mar. 2026, Next Act Theater, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Silverman, Jen. The Moors. Directed by Suzan Fete, Renaissance Theaterworks, 20 Oct. 2024, Next Act Theater, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Murray-Smith, Joanna. L'Appartement. Directed by Mallory Metoxen, Renaissance Theaterworks, 24 Mar. 2024, Next Act Theater, Milwaukee, WI.