Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Contributor

BSR Contributor Since October 29, 2019

Emily Esten (they/them) is an arts critic based in Philadelphia.

Emily Esten is an arts critic based in Philadelphia. With a background in public humanities and digital technology, they are interested in supporting collaborative and creative scholarly works for public engagement. When Emily isn't writing reviews, you can find them at the cinema or exploring local bookstores for the next great read. Visit their website at emilyesten.com.

By this Author

10 results
Page 1
Sitting shiva in the virtual age: the ‘Welcome to the Shiva House’ audience lights a candle in honor of Sam Bloom.’ (Image courtesy of Gabriel Shulman.)

Philly Fringe 2020: Benjamin Behrend and Logan Gabriel Schulman’s ‘Welcome to the Shiva House’

Living alongside grief
Two Philadelphia artists explore grief through religious ritual, inviting us all into a virtual shiva for this year's Fringe Festival. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Articles 3 minute read
An augmented reality in Powelton Village: ‘Field Calls’ in the 2020 Fringe. (Photo by Tenara Calem.)

Philly Fringe 2020: Lupine Performance Cooperative’s ‘Field Calls’

Pixies in Powelton
In this year's Fringe, Lupine Performance Cooperative takes visitors through a Philadelphia marred not by pandemic but by magical invaders. When the dragons are defeated, what does recovery look like? Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Articles 3 minute read
Stop here, please: an 1856 drawing of the Philadelphia quarantine station viewed from the water, by artist James Fuller Queen. (Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.)

The Philadelphia City Archives present ‘The History of the Lazaretto’

The history of quarantine
As the greater Philadelphia area faces the coronavirus epidemic, an exhibit at the City Archives provides unique insight into the city’s long public-health history. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Articles 3 minute read
Capturing eyes from the sidewalk: Behnaz Karjoo’s ‘Jewels of the Heart.’ (Image courtesy of Twelve Gates Arts.)

Twelve Gates Arts presents ‘Immanence: Tazhib in America | Behnaz Karjoo’

Illuminating Iranian tradition
Behnaz Karjoo’s traditional Islamic works, now on view at Twelve Gates Arts, remind us of the evolution of deep-rooted cultures and their crucial preservation. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Articles 3 minute read

The Center for Media at Risk presents ‘Meme Tactics’

The radical power of memes
By one definition, memes are elements of culture that we share widely within and beyond groups. What happens when memes are used for civic good? In an exhibit at the Center for Media at Risk, makers take a simultaneously global and local approach to defiant narratives hidden in plain sight. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Essays 3 minute read
Mayer poses against a brick wall, one leg lifted, in blue peacock-inspired drag and thigh-high white stiletto boots.

Cannonball Festival 2022: Emily Mayer presents Bower Bird

Bower Bird is the word
Emily Mayer’s Bower Bird takes us on a delightful bird-clown romp exploring the courtship and physical presentation rituals we share across species. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Reviews 2 minute read
5 students in classroom desks sit around a 6th, who holds a book and wears a fake mustache. There’s a large chalkboard behind

Philly Fringe 2022: Temple Theaters presents Group Project

Time for the real test
A new original Fringe performance from Temple Theaters captures the frenzy of teenage anxiousness, rebellion, and hope in an uncertain world. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Reviews 3 minute read
Yelland, in an open plaid button-down, stands smiling with arms spread in a grassy yard. Two breast pumps hang from her chest

Philly Fringe 2022: Josephine Decker and Pig Iron Theatre Company present The Path of Pins or the Path of Needles

Dare to dream of motherhood
Pig Iron’s latest Fringe Festival collaboration terrifies and excites in this fairytale for an audience of “pregnant dreamers” of any gender. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Reviews 2 minute read
Creane, in a furry hooded parka, sips tea with a dramatic red sky, choppy sea, and snowy mountains behind her.

Philly Fringe 2023: IKantKoan Play/s presents Tea Party at the End of the World

Good to the last drop
How would you like to spend the end of the world—or maybe just your own end? This immersive Fringe experience offers big questions with a warm cup of tea. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Reviews 3 minute read
The couple stands solemnly facing forward, wearing black, hands joined in front of a Victorian wedding dress on a mannequin.

Philly Fringe 2024: Real Life Brothers presents Is This a Wedding?

Nuanced nuptials
Some weddings are covered in newspaper marriage announcements. Alison Hyde Pascale and Crys Clemente got theirs covered at the 2024 Philly Fringe. Emily Esten reviews.
Emily Esten

Emily Esten

Reviews 3 minute read