We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Steiger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, why did you pursue a creative career?
I feel immensely grateful to have grown up in an artistic family. My father was a screenwriter and producer. My mother was a dancer and painter. My siblings dabbled in all forms of art between photography, music, poetry, and that doesn’t even cover everything! When I was younger I was thrown into a multitude of extra curricular activities, my favorites being theatre and dance. It didn’t take me too long to recognize that my artistry was a way to process the things that were happening in my life. I started getting bullied at an early age and thankfully, my active imagination was something that protected me from the harshness of others. I found power making art because it gave me a sense of agency. At times when things were out of control it was comforting to know that I had control of my narrative. This notion has carried me through into my adult life and has influenced the type of art I create today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to consider myself a swiss army knife. I have arms that extend into all facets of being an artist. I started as an actor, falling in love with running around the sets my father ran or singing my heart out in local musical theatre. I started writing scripts on my dad’s computer at the age of seven, most of which thankfully have disappeared into the ether. I spent every day after school in hours of dance, theatre, voice lessons, piano lessons – you name it. That routine set the groundwork for how I would live my life today. I went to college for theatre, but triple concentrated in acting, directing, and performance studies with a minor in dance education. I moved to New York the day I graduated college and worked five jobs, waking up at 6am to get in the lines to be seen at auditions before going into work. Little did I realize that being able to juggle everything at once primed me to be the producer I am today. I love the nitty gritty of putting out fires and being the person people turn to. But I also love helping artists live their dreams. I love any opportunity to collaborate with likeminded artists and if there’s a heart at the core of a story then you’ll reel me in. That being said, sometimes my passion gets the best of me. I want to do everything and be everywhere and support everyone.

When I lost my dad to cancer in 2021 I was forced to slow down and really take a look at my priorities. My dad was my best friend. He was my confidant. When things felt too hard, he’d talk me through them. Without his guidance I started to flounder. I had to find my feet again and learn out to take care of myself first. Moving at a million miles per hour had allowed me to avoid the more difficult things that arose. But there was no avoiding grief and the impact it had on me. I think sometimes as artists we become so consumed in our work that we miss out on the important things in life. Losing my dad caused a major reset and forced me to take a hard look at how I was running myself into the ground trying to do everything. The balance of self-care in the pursuit of artistic passion is so important. And, while it’s vital to support others and pursue our dreams, taking care of ourselves is equally crucial for sustaining creativity and fulfillment. Collaboration has always been a lifeline for me, especially in moments when I’ve felt overwhelmed by my own ambitions. Working alongside other artists brings a sense of camaraderie that helps me remember I’m not alone in this journey.

In December of 2023, I came together with some of my favorite people to bring to life WAIT TO TELL MOTHER, a short film I wrote and directed to honor my relationship with my father. WAIT TO TELL MOTHER tells the story of Anna who, after losing the most important person in her life, is confronted with a different choice of life or death. In creating this film and exploring my grief through art I was reminded of the importance of community and how, together, we can navigate the ups and downs of life. Having community you can trust is key.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a born and raised Angeleno I have some classic must sees as well as some new discoveries I’ve made in recently moving back. I grew up off of the Fryman Canyon hiking trail, so I’m partial to that if you’re in the mood for a lowkey hike. It’s not exactly strenuous but the views of the valley always invite the waves of nostalgia. From Fryman, you can always walk down to Ventura Boulevard in Studio City and peruse the various places to eat or grab a coffee. Most of the places I grew up with, like Studio City Frozen Yogurt, The Daily Grill, or even a very specific Coffee Bean have closed but there are plenty of places to choose from. Since moving back I have become obsessed with the breakfast burritos from Bread and Breakfast. It’s a little stand in the Circus Liquor parking lot in North Hollywood. Don’t forget to get the cheese crust! You won’t catch me in highly populated tourist areas and I avoid traffic to the best of my ability, but if you’re in the mood for a drive Topanga Canyon is pretty unbeatable. Take the canyon into Malibu around sunset and you will feel like you’re in a classic LA movie.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents certainly deserve extra EXTRA credit. I am grateful to have grown up with such an incredibly strong and vibrant support system. Both of my parents never wavered from believing in me and therefore I have never wavered from believing in myself. As mentioned, both my mom and dad came from the arts. Both of them believed that artistry is a way to communicate. Plus they put up with me at my most annoying, hyperactive phase. I am immensely grateful to have been thrown into all things artistic from a young age. Being an artist has given me new tools to express myself and process all of the thought bubbles that float around in my brain.

Website: https://emmasteiger.com

Instagram: @emma.steiger

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-steiger/

Image Credits
Nikhil Johns for behind the scenes
Billy Baque (for red carpet)

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