EMMA NA-YUN DOWNS

My name is Emma Na-yun Downs, and I am a mixed Korean-American actress based in Boston, MA. With a hunger to learn, I strive to amplify unique, underrepresented stories that embrace the complexity of a diverse humanity. I believe in active and ongoing collaboration, and I actively work to cultivate creative, inclusive, and civically engaged community. To me, theatre’s greatest power is reminding us of our shared humanity, to see past our prejudices, and to motivate us to do better for the world.

Growing up in a predominately white community, in a time and culture with little Asian media representation, I felt very lonely in my experiences as an Asian American and as a mixed person. The characters I was auditioning for in the musical theatre shows at my school didn’t speak to me, and it made me feel othered. But there were glimpses of hope: Connie Wong, in “A Chorus Line”. The TV Show “Avatar: The Last Airbender” — a show that appreciated and exemplified the beauty of Asian art, culture, music, and people, from American creators. The window was opened — but there has to be more representation in the world, and I had to be a part of it.

My mother was a diversity consultant. She taught me that in her workshops, the only way to change minds was to reach the emotions of her clients. I knew that theatre was a unique way to do exactly this — to get people to empathize with another human story, to be vulnerable and present in a room together. And now, as an actress, my goal is to dedicate myself to works that open minds through empathy, that tell stories otherwise unheard or ignored. To show people who I am, and to expand their realm of care and the kindness they have for their neighbors.

In this pursuit, I am constantly learning. I am constantly setting myself in uncomfortable in new situations, and I am always striving to listen. I hope that my characters bring joy and new perspective to the audiences, and I will never stop my pursuit of equity, of diversity, of hope, of vibrancy, now more than ever.

I graduated in the Fall of 2023 from Tufts University, with a B.A. in Theatre & Performance, and Political Science.

Beyond the stage, I have a passion for food security work. I also weight lift, enjoy fashion, paint, watch sitcoms, and spend lots of time with my family.

@emmanayun