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

Damien of Molokai, Patron Saint of Divesting Oneself...

Damien of Molokai has long been one of my favorite Saints. He... read more

Theater Doesn't Matter During a Pandemic, and That's...

Theater is a lagging art form. Unlike music, crafts, and dance, theater... read more

Coping with Scrupulosity During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Scrupulosity is an ongoing struggle for me and for many Christian woman... read more

St. Mary Magdalene Was Not a Prostitute, But...

St. Mary Magdalene was the first person to believe in the resurrection... read more

Foundation of Faith: A Wedding Toast for My...

This weekend, my best friend, K, married the love of her life... read more

And Yet, They Are Like Us: The Death...

Human Dignity has never been a basic tenet of our society. Perhaps... read more

We're Returning to Mass. Healing Will Take Much...

Here in New York City, Catholic laypersons have been returning to Mass.... read more

Myth #6: Porn is Universal. If He Says...

We've come to the final installment of my series The Porn Industry... read more

The 4th of July and The End of...

The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday. (Sorry Christmas... read more

Myth #5: Porn is Private and Does Not...

This is the penultimate installment of my series The Porn Industry is... read more

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