Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Beth Lange.
Emily Beth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Performance opportunity has followed me throughout my life and transitions to the point that I have a vast portfolio of skills. I am a trained cheerleader, certified fencing instructor, knowledgeable aerialist, and experienced administrator. Cheerleading has proved to be an asset in the productions I have taken part in, as directors and choreographers often want group lifts but have little to no experience in the execution. I became certified to teach fencing when I became the fencing department head at Camp Greystone, succeeding my instructor of seven years. Being the department head and teaching, I learned effective ways to teach skills that are memorable and precise. When dealing with weapons, they must be. As part of the five-week-long curriculum, I also taught ax and knife throwing and stage combat to girls between the ages of six and seventeen. When I moved to Houston after University, I took up aerial in hope to make friends. I have been studying aerial hoop, trapeze, hammock, and split tissue silks on and off for three years.
Though performance is where I would like to thrive, I have developed a high regard skill for administration. While at Furman University, I took a variety of classes, ranging from concentrations in Biology, Economics, Marketing, Film, and Religion. I found that in the classroom, only so much could be learned from the lecture and a book, that experience and trial and error is the only way my mind could wrap around the theories presented. I served all four years of my time at Furman on the Furman Public Relations Board as the Class of 2015 Secretary for the Student Government Association. I learned most of my marketing avenues through my time on the Board. I also founded the first all girls a cappella group at Furman, Dintonation, formerly known as the Furman Belles. I developed and led this group to be one of the most highly regarded singing groups, performing for events at the university as well as around town. I served as treasurer of the renown Furman University Singers while on our European tour and was the administrative intern for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, where I learned about flow and operation in arts administration. While at Furman I treated every day as if there were thirty-six hours, therefore I also took part in all the Pauper Players theatrical productions while at University. Through these experiences, I learned about event planning, small business development, time management, and arts administration effectively.
Upon graduating from Furman University in 2015, I left Greenville, South Carolina to become a Marketing Coordinator, later Marketing Director, at a new company called Finch Properties in Houston, Texas where I plan and execute large scale events and uphold marketing development, ranking Finch Properties in the top 25 real estate firms in the third largest city in America. All while maintaining a thriving performance career.
In Houston, I have many jobs- including my full-time job being the Marketing Director of Finch Properties in the Houston Heights. I am also a company member of Playhouse on the Prairie at Prohibition Theatre in Downtown Houston, a tour guide for Night Spirits in Market Square. a freelance social media and marketing manager for local theatre groups including the Paul Hope Cabaret, and an actor for Page Parkes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been extremely bumpy, but that makes it more fun and exciting! I have always found a way to make my passion for performing find its way into my life while maintaining what my family describes as a “more logical” path. I started doing theatre when I moved to England at age thirteen. Growing up, I was a competitive figure skater, putting skates as soon as I could and competing starting at age five. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to competitions. In the midst of my figure skating career, I was also moving on average every two years to a new city. A common question is “where are you from?” to which I answer “that is a very good question.” It was not until my family’s move to England that I had to give up figure skating. Having lost my outlet to performance, I found myself wandering. I made my way into the drama club at TASIS England. It was there that my acting career began.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I described much of this in my initial story. However, I am extremely proud of the work I have put into two educational theatre projects- Playhouse on the Prairie and Presto Fairytales! I have an incredible passion for learning and teaching in a way that is conducive to everyone involved.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion, consistency. persistence, and optimism.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.backstage.com/emilybethlange
- Instagram: emilybeth909
Image Credit:
Lange1, Emily_6496, Christmas, Natasha Nivan Photography
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