Storyteller. Advocate. Theatre Maker.
Get To Know Emily M. Shaffer
Family
Emily's parents are their rock. Their mother, Janeen, and father, Darrell, support Emily in everything. They come to every show, help when its move in time at college, and frequently remind Emily of what true role models are.
Throughout Emily's life, their parents drove them everywhere. Every sports game, and they were at one point on two soccer teams at once, every movie they all wanted to see, every friends' house- you name it.
They offer the best advice. When Emily is going through a rough patch, they always turn to their parents. They speak to Emily with full transparency and offer them advice.
Emily strives to be half the person their parents are.
Emily and Gavin
Emily and Gavin started dating in August of 2018 when they were sophomores in high school. They've grown together. Emily and Gavin have supported each other throughout high school and college, despite the three hour distance.
On August 1, 2022, Gavin proposed to Emily at Cheesecake Factory in King of Prussia.
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar
In the spring of 2019, Emily attended HOBY. This seminar teaches high school students ways to become an effective leader and collaborator. It offers opportunities to practice these skills by invoking small group tasks as well as an entire day spent doing community service.
In the spring of 2022, Emily went back to HOBY as a Facilitator. Facilitators are mentors for the attendants. They offer advice, help the attendants problem solve, and get to further deepen their understanding of leadership and collaboration in a hands on manner.
HOBY is an organization Emily continues to keep in touch with and volunteers for when they can.
Theatre for Young Audiences
Emily has found a new love for working with Young Performers through their role of Assistant Director on Lionel Bart's Oliver! with Riverstage Community Theatre and Dramaturg/Asisstant Stage Manager on The Velveteen Rabbit with Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble.
Working with Young Performers is exciting, because Emily gets to help introduce a new generation to the world of theatre, and show them how magical and supportive it can be!
National Society of Leadership and Success
April of 2024, Emily was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success, where they can continue to hone their leadership skills.
Maker of All Types of Art
In the spring of 2021, Emily held their senior art exhibit. Work from all four years of high school was displayed on their own table. Emily took 3 years of advanced art classes. In those three years, Emily developed their own character Zarp. Zarp first appeared in a comic strip, then developed into sculptures, and finally a 4 foot by 5 foot mixed media painting.
Emily brought Zarp to college. Zarp appears in a full length play, The Zarp Saga: Battle of Trust, which you can find on their NewPlayExchange profile.