Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Steen.
Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve loved theatre for as long as I can remember. Even as a kid, I was writing and directing original plays and musicals during recess all through elementary and middle school. I remember my classmates grating against how much I made them rehearse during recess.
My official start in directing came when I was 15 years old at Rockpoint Community Church in North Haledon, New Jersey. I started the drama program for their Crossroads Summer Camp, and that experience became a huge part of my life. With the encouragement of the youth pastor there, I was given the opportunity to turn an idea into something real. At the time, I had no formal training, very little experience, and honestly not much confidence in myself, but I had a vision, and I cared deeply about the work. Over time, that summer program grew, and so did my passion for directing and for working with young people.
I graduated a year early from Calvin University in Michigan and moved back to New Jersey to pursue work in children’s theatre. It was definitely a leap of faith, but I trusted that the right opportunity would come along. During that season, I expanded the Crossroads Summer Drama program into year-round after-school programming, growing it from one production each summer to three productions a year.
Around that same time, I joined StageWorks Theatre Group in Pompton Lakes as the Education & Arts Outreach Manager. I’m incredibly grateful that Jo Ann Ventor, our Executive Director and Producer, took a chance on me right out of college. I hadn’t seriously considered theatre or arts administration as a career until my final semester of college, so once again, I was stepping into something with more passion and determination than formal credentials.
Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to have adults and mentors who saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. That has really shaped the way I approach my work now. A huge part of what drives me is creating opportunities for young people to discover what they’re capable of, feel empowered in their creativity, and pursue what excites them wholeheartedly.
At this point in my career, I’ve directed more than 20 productions, managed a staff of over 40 people, helped develop and expand educational programming, and built a career doing work I truly love. I’m also graduating this May with my Master’s in Arts Administration, and I’m excited to keep growing and see where this journey takes me next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced has been imposter syndrome. I’ve dealt with that for most of my life. Because I don’t have the formal theatre training or degree that many people around me do, I’ve often found myself doubting whether I belong in the rooms I’m in or whether I’m truly qualified to do the work I love.
Early on especially, I felt like I had to prove myself constantly. There were many moments where I questioned whether passion and instinct were enough, or whether people would eventually realize I was figuring things out as I went. That self-doubt can be really difficult, especially in a field like theatre where so much of the work is personal and visible. Over time, I’ve started to trust that my leadership, creativity, and ability to connect with people are just as valuable as formal credentials.
I still have moments where I doubt myself, but I’ve gotten much better at recognizing that growth doesn’t always look conventional. A lot of my journey has been about learning to own the path I’ve taken and to believe that I’ve earned my place in this work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an arts educator and administrator, my goal has always been bigger than putting on a good show. I want young people to feel empowered to explore who they are, use their voices, take creative risks, and build meaningful community with the people around them. Theatre can be such a powerful tool for personal growth, and I’m proud that the programs I’ve built are designed not just to develop performers, but to help students grow into confident, thoughtful, and compassionate people.
A huge part of that work happens in the rehearsal room. While I care deeply about producing high-quality work and giving students a show they can be proud of, I care just as much about making sure they feel seen, supported, and valued throughout the process. I try to create spaces where young people are encouraged to make their own creative choices, trust their instincts, and understand that what they bring to the room matters.
I think that’s especially important because in educational theatre, it can be easy to focus so heavily on competition, casting, and performance outcomes that we forget the deeper purpose of the work. I’m really proud of building programs that challenge that mindset and instead prioritize confidence, empathy, collaboration, and belonging.
More than anything, I’m proud that I’ve become someone young people feel safe coming to as their authentic selves. I’m proud that I can encourage them to see their potential, just like mentors in my own life did for me.
One of the most meaningful things for me is looking around at productions at Crossroads and seeing former students come back to help run costumes, sets, lights, sound, and support the next group of students. Seeing that sense of ownership, leadership, and community continue beyond their time in the program is probably what makes me proudest of all.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Determination is the main reason that I am where I am in my life! I believe even if you lack experience or knowledge, determination is one of the main factors that distinguish those who succeed and those who don’t. Even though I don’t know a lot of things, I am willing to put myself out there, take risks, ask questions, and learn whatever I need to. I am not confident naturally, but I am confident in my ability to admit what I don’t know and seek to learn whatever I can. Even when I feel intimidated or uncertain, I still show up and give each project my all. I think my can-do mindset has been one of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to grow both personally and professionally.
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