Emma Stokes is an accomplished South Australian performer, choreographer, and facilitator with over two decades of experience in the dance and performing arts sector. Raised in Adelaide, Emma’s passion for creativity emerged early, leading her into dance, theatre, and voice training.

She completed a Bachelor of Dance Performance at the Adelaide Centre for the Arts in 2007, receiving the prestigious Helpmann Academy and Minter Ellison Rising Star Award.

Emma performed extensively across South Australia’s independent dance scene and contributed as a teacher and choreographer throughout the state. Her collaborations include work with Lina Limosani, and Katrina Lazaroff. Her stage credits include performances with the State Opera of South Australia in Turandot and Rigoletto, and international productions such as Studio Festi’s Il Cielo che Danza (Adelaide Festival, 2006), and La Fura dels Baus’ Le Grand Macabre (Adelaide Festival, 2010). Emma has toured internationally with performances in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2004), Oman Tattoo (2005), and contributed to the London development of 7th Time Around in 2011.

Emma has a longstanding relationship with Restless Dance Theatre, where she has worked as Workshop Leader, choreographer, and tour support worker. In 2015 Emma directed What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This? with Restless Dance Theatre’s Senior Ensemble, and has led LINKS, the children’s workshops for over a decade. Emma is currently project lead on ReMix, a new program focused on creating neuro-affirming environments and highlighting Autistic voices in workshop creation and facilitation.

Emma is the Rehearsal Director of DOWNPOUR, a role held since the show’s inception. As a founding creative team member, she continues to help shape the bold, inclusive artistic vision of the production.

Emma is incredibly grateful to traverse the world in a body made to move and is inspired to create inclusive dance environments for all.