The Public Theater has named Emma Rosa Went its inaugural Directing Fellow. The Off-Broadway company's new Directing Fellowship, conceived and led by Associate Artistic Director and Resident Director Saheem Ali, aims to create more opportunities for emerging directors.

Brooklyn-based director Went will make her Off-Broadway debut directing Else Went's Initiative at the Public in fall 2025. In the past, she has developed and presented work with Manhattan Theatre Club, Ars Nova, New York Theatre Workshop, Red Bull Theater, and more. She is a former Drama League Classical Directing Fellow, and a current faculty member at Marymount Manhattan College. 

The new fellowship program will also include a Directing Group, comprising three directors at the beginning stages of their career. Directing Group cohort members will be selected following an application process in 2025. 

All members of the fellowship program will have opportunities to act as directors or assistant directors, work with the Public’s artistic programs, observe rehearsals for Public Theater productions, receive career development advice from artistic staff, and more.

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