EMMA ASHFORD (she/her) is a songwriter, playwright, and performer originally from California, now based in Brooklyn. A 2024-25 Dramatists Guild Writing Fellow and Woodward ‘26 Resident, Emma's musical MISS AMERICA (prev. HEARTBEATS, O'Neill NMTC Semi-Finalist '26, JMF Writer's Grove at Goodspeed 2025, UMICH New Works Series 2025) had an industry reading this past Fall ft. Alli Mauzey, Jordan Tyson, and more. 

Emma's play THE LIGHT PLACE was named a 2025 BAPF Semi-Finalist. Her songs from 1660 VINE (directed by NYTW's Patricia McGregor, available to license via MTI and stream on Prime) have been recognized at IndieFEST, Vegas Movie Awards, & Indie Filmmaker Awards. Emma's music has been performed all over NYC, including at The Second City and The Musical Theatre Factory. She’s a graduate of University of Michigan's BFA Musical Theatre program with a Minor MT Composition. DGF, ASCAP, AEA, and SAG-AFTRA.

LATEST

  • Woodward Guest Residency

    2.12.26- Emma is delighted to be a Woodward Winter 2026 Guest Resident. Read what she’ll be working on during her residency at the link below.

    Click Here

  • Wig Pageant Season 2 Finale

    12.8.25 Watch six all-stars from seasons past compete for the one wig in our Season 2 Finale. Second City MainStage.

    TICKETS

  • UM New Works Residency: MISS AMERICA

    11.22.25 MISS AMERICA (book, music, and lyrics by Emma Ashford) was presented after a 2 week workshop with the MT students at the University of Michigan, directed by Britt Berke and music directed by Jason DeBord.

    MORE INFO

  • 2025 DGF Fellows Industry Presentation

    10.10.25 MISS AMERICA (book/music/lyrics by Emma Ashford) will have an invite-only industry presentation in Midtown featuring Jordan Tyson (Gypsy), Alli Mauzey (Kimberly Akimbo), Wade McCollum (Floyd Collins), Shanel Bailey (Gypsy), and Katryna Martalla (Techies).

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  • New Music at A Night of New Works (54 Below)

    9.30.25 - Watch Julian Manjerico (Oh, Mary!, A Man Called Otto) perform a song from Exceptional, a new musical with music and lyrics by Emma Ashford and Book by Isabel Renner (Wyld Woman).

    TICKETS
  • The Wig Pageant Arrives at The Second City

    The Wig Pageant Arrives at Second City

    Fall 2025 - The Wig Pageant Variety Hour (a monthly comedy show hosted/created by Gus Mahoney & Charles Miller with music by Emma Ashford) returns for its second season at The Second City.

    TICKETS

  • Fellows Spotlight: Emma Ashford

    7.10.25 Emma was interviewed as a DGF Fellow about her work, writer’s block, favorite writers, and more.

    WATCH

  • BAPF 2025 Semi-Finalist: The Light Place

    6.27.25 - Emma’s play THE LIGHT PLACE was named a Semi-Finalist at the 2025 Bay Area Playwrights Festival, whose alumnae include Sam Shepard, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Annie Baker, and more.

    READ MORE HERE
  • Writers Grove @ Goodspeed Musicals

    Writers Grove @ Goodspeed Musicals

    2.10.25 - Emma’s musical HEARTBEATS was selected for development at the 2025 JMF Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals.

    LEARN MORE

  • Heart & Music: Songs From Rising Queer Composers

    1.16.25 - Emma’s music will be performed at Heart & Music: Songs From Rising Queer Composers at 54 Below.

    TICKETS

  • 2024-25 Dramatists Guild Fellow

    10.30.24 - Emma was just named a Dramatists Guild Musical Theatre Fellow.

    LEARN MORE

  • Stream "Delphyne" now

    10.25.24 Stream Emma’s latest single.

    LISTEN

  • Emma @ Breaking Sound Unpublished

    10.10.24 Catch Emma's set (featuring some special guests) for Breaking Sound's first ever Musical Theatre Composer's Night at pinkFROG Cafe in Williamsburg.

    TICKETS

  • Emma Ashford Joins IAG

    8.24 - Emma is delighted to join Independent Artist Group’s theatre literary roster, represented by Beth Blickers, Katy Zapanta, and Noah Ezell.

    MORE INFO

  • HEARTBEATS Receives Industry Reading

    5.24 Emma’s musical HEARTBEATS will have a private industry reading in May. Read more in BroadwayWorld at the link below.

    GET INFO

  • Emma @ Breaking Sound // Brooklyn Music Kitchen

    6.25.24, 7:30p - Catch’s Emma’s set with Breaking Sound at Brooklyn Music Kitchen,

    TICKETS

  • New Single - if i didn't know better

    5.24.24 - Stream Emma’s new single below.

    LISTEN

  • The Wig Pageant Variety Hour

    4.27.24 The Wig Pageant Variety Hour, for which Emma wrote music and lyrics, wraps up its 6 month residency at The Brooklyn Comedy Collective April 27th at 7pm. Don’t miss it!

    TICKETS

  • Musical Theatre Factory's Artist Salon

    2.26.24 7:30p - Snag a free ticket to this curated evening of up-and-coming MT composers with the theme of “Collective Liberation” at The Tank.

    TICKETS

  • Emma @ BOBBLEHAUS SOUNDS 8/28

    8.28.23 7p EST

    Catch Emma’s set at BOBBLEHAUS in Soho!

    Tickets

  • If I Didn't Know Better: The Music of Emma Ashford 7.23.23 7p

    7.23 - Watch clips from Emma’s sold out debut show at the Green Room 42 below:

    watch

  • 2023 NMTC Semi-Finalist: HEARTBEATS

    5.23- HEARTBEATS, a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Ashford, is a 2023 National Musical Theater Conference Semi-Finalist.

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  • "Best Original Song" Wins

    3.23-For her work on 1660 VINE, Emma received Best Original Song - “Lucky” & “Already Gone” (IndieFEST), Best Song - “Welcome Back” (VMAS)

    LISTEN TO SOUNDTRACK HERE

  • 3 Songs In Oscars' Original Song Race

    12.22 - Read about Emma’s songs from 1660 VINE in Variety.

    READ MORE

  • New Single - Take It Back

    11.22- Stream Emma’s new single now.

    LISTEN