About Emily Claire Schmitt

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I claimed my first mystical experience at seven years old. I informed my parents that my recently-deceased great grandmother was visiting my bedroom each night and sitting in my rocking chair. I was lying, but the story served to ease my grief - and that of my parents. Since then, I have continued to search for healing through story-telling as a playwright. I earned my BA in Theatre and Philosophy from Saint Mary’s College, where I became obsessed with early Enlightenment philosopher Baruch Spinoza. After moving to New York, I completed my MFA in Playwriting at The New School for Drama, where I became obsessed with the controversial Pope Pius XII. These duel fascinations gave rise to the plays Spinoza's Ethics and The Chalice. In total, I am the author of eight full-length plays and one musical. My works include San Luis, 1989 (2012 Best Play Award, ACTF Region III), Under Further Review (2015 Princess Grace Finalist) and The Chalice (2017 production starring Tony-Nominee Austin Pendleton.) I am a Core Member of The Skeleton Rep(resents), an independent production company dedicated to the exploration of modern myth through theater, dance, and film. I am also a practicing Catholic, continually seeking a concrete manifestation of the supernatural experience I conjured as a child.

All Posts by Emily Claire

Can Catholics Celebrate Pride Month?

It's Pride Month again. It's a strange, often paradoxical mixture of corporate... read more

In Political and Moral Debate, Hypocrisy is a...

Are people fundamentally good or fundamentally selfish? The debate on human nature... read more

My Mask is Not a Political Statement (At...

On Thursday afternoon, my husband stuck his head into our bedroom, where... read more

If Mother's Day Was Hard For You, Celibrate...

Last Sunday was Mother's Day, a day of honoring and thanking our... read more

To Deny Joe Biden Communion is to Commit...

This June, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote on... read more

Is Celibacy a Higher Calling? Does It Even...

The Catholic Church has long taught that celibacy is the highest vocation.... read more

Hello, Religious Privilege is Good and Here's Why

On Wednesday's episode of The Daily, A Legal Winning Streak for Religion,... read more

St. Thomas and the Receipts

This Divine Mercy Sunday, we heard the story of St. Thomas. We've... read more

Easter 2021, Season of Renewal

Yesterday was a Good Friday I will remember for the rest of... read more

My Veil Keeps Slipping (A Holy Week Reflection...

My black mantilla is gorgeous, as is the thought behind it. It's... read more

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