PRESS
...some stuff some people said...
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE - The Pacific Conservatory Theatre - PCPA
The Santa Maria Times
describes Trask's performance as Viola as "inspiring."
The Santa Maria Sun says:
"Seevers and Trask have excellent chemistry and expertly balance their timing together. Trask does especially well navigating not just the physical aspects of jumping from playing a man to a woman but in highlighting the aching emotional depth of her character. Trask seems to grasp larger aspects of the role she is playing, performed for a contemporary audience, and her thoughtfulness is appreciated. Her performance is a standout in the Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s Shakespeare in Love."
The Santa Maria Times
describes Trask's performance as Viola as "inspiring."
The Santa Maria Sun says:
"Seevers and Trask have excellent chemistry and expertly balance their timing together. Trask does especially well navigating not just the physical aspects of jumping from playing a man to a woman but in highlighting the aching emotional depth of her character. Trask seems to grasp larger aspects of the role she is playing, performed for a contemporary audience, and her thoughtfulness is appreciated. Her performance is a standout in the Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s Shakespeare in Love."
AN ILIAD - The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre & in special performance in Quintessence Theatre Group
"The incredible one-woman performance by Emily Trask as The Poet defies adequate description.
Her enactment was a non-stop two-hour primordial whirlwind of wrenching emotional dynamism and nuanced authenticity, as she wove her persona seamlessly in and out of sundry characters and jumped between emotional extremes effortlessly.” – Steve Ralph, Holland Sentinel
“an absolutely phenomenal performance… for two hours, Trask paces the stage… she weeps, she rages, she finds those exquisite moments of peace and grace. It is … magnificent.” - Actress Stuns in Anti-War Production- Encore Michigan
“A single actor, the extraordinary Emily Trask, is completely in command of this terrible song she’s sung, tragically, through the ages…. utterly seamless [and] hugely impressive.” - One Talented Woman Weaves a Powerful, Epic Tale in An Iliad - Revue
“the show traditionally has put a man in the role of the poet… Yet, Trask performed it so well, that she made it seem right and natural that the role should be played by a woman. It is, almost by definition, good storytelling.” – Encore Michigan
"The incredible one-woman performance by Emily Trask as The Poet defies adequate description.
Her enactment was a non-stop two-hour primordial whirlwind of wrenching emotional dynamism and nuanced authenticity, as she wove her persona seamlessly in and out of sundry characters and jumped between emotional extremes effortlessly.” – Steve Ralph, Holland Sentinel
“an absolutely phenomenal performance… for two hours, Trask paces the stage… she weeps, she rages, she finds those exquisite moments of peace and grace. It is … magnificent.” - Actress Stuns in Anti-War Production- Encore Michigan
“A single actor, the extraordinary Emily Trask, is completely in command of this terrible song she’s sung, tragically, through the ages…. utterly seamless [and] hugely impressive.” - One Talented Woman Weaves a Powerful, Epic Tale in An Iliad - Revue
“the show traditionally has put a man in the role of the poet… Yet, Trask performed it so well, that she made it seem right and natural that the role should be played by a woman. It is, almost by definition, good storytelling.” – Encore Michigan
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE - Baltimore Center Stage & Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Trask as Viola DeLesseps...
"...takes this role, makes it her own, and runs with it... impeccable, natural, commanding" BackstageBaltimore
"...radiant and effusive" - MDTheatreGuide
"...winsome and on-point" TheatreBloomDC
"...strong, smart and every bit Will’s equal." Cincinnati.com
"...brings depth and a sense of real to the role of the object of his affection" MyCity4Her
"...has a Gwyneth-y gleam as Viola....chomp[s] into the material with zest and poetic verve" WashingtonPost
"Emily Trask is beautiful in form and speech"..."Carriere and Trask’s ardent recitation of scenes from Romeo and Juliet are so fine tears spring to your eyes... you think [Shakespeare] must be the luckiest writer on earth to have such an eloquent, indelible Muse." DCTheatreScene
Trask as Viola DeLesseps...
"...takes this role, makes it her own, and runs with it... impeccable, natural, commanding" BackstageBaltimore
"...radiant and effusive" - MDTheatreGuide
"...winsome and on-point" TheatreBloomDC
"...strong, smart and every bit Will’s equal." Cincinnati.com
"...brings depth and a sense of real to the role of the object of his affection" MyCity4Her
"...has a Gwyneth-y gleam as Viola....chomp[s] into the material with zest and poetic verve" WashingtonPost
"Emily Trask is beautiful in form and speech"..."Carriere and Trask’s ardent recitation of scenes from Romeo and Juliet are so fine tears spring to your eyes... you think [Shakespeare] must be the luckiest writer on earth to have such an eloquent, indelible Muse." DCTheatreScene
THE ALLEY THEATRE highlights
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
-"Emily Trask was terrific. Not only was she a good sport about the daunting task of performing cold and on the spot; she made it seem effortless. Soleimanpour’s words flowed off her tongue so expertly that it was hard to remember this was the first time she’d been exposed to the script. If nothing else, then, this is a show that gorgeously tests and highlights the mettle of an actor, and in this case we were greatly rewarded." - Houston Press
Hand to God
-"Only Jessica, played by Emily Trask, is given a range of development that approaches that of Jason.... [Trask's] Jessica is...the only one truly capable of love and concern. Trask wisely keeps her virtues undercover, letting them emerge naturally as the play progresses without ever allowing them to become overbearing.
Plus her own skills with her puppet are a match for Pacek!" -Here Entertainment
The Christians
-"Emily Trask is outstanding as Pastor Paul's wife, Elizabeth.
Trask's scenes pack a punch. Trask gently but quickly peels back the layers of anger, shame, regret, love, and hope within her few scenes."-Broadway World
As You Like It
-"I can't rave enough about Emily Trask (Celia) or her comedic timing and delivery and her ability to avoid all of the pitfalls of a classically-trained actor entering the world of Shakespeare. Her scenes with Bunch overflowed with a sisterly bond. She elevated Celia from minor character to major. She had less stage time and much less to say, but the quality of her performance made her loom larger on stage and even larger in my mind once the play ended." - Broadway World
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
-"Emily Trask was terrific. Not only was she a good sport about the daunting task of performing cold and on the spot; she made it seem effortless. Soleimanpour’s words flowed off her tongue so expertly that it was hard to remember this was the first time she’d been exposed to the script. If nothing else, then, this is a show that gorgeously tests and highlights the mettle of an actor, and in this case we were greatly rewarded." - Houston Press
Hand to God
-"Only Jessica, played by Emily Trask, is given a range of development that approaches that of Jason.... [Trask's] Jessica is...the only one truly capable of love and concern. Trask wisely keeps her virtues undercover, letting them emerge naturally as the play progresses without ever allowing them to become overbearing.
Plus her own skills with her puppet are a match for Pacek!" -Here Entertainment
The Christians
-"Emily Trask is outstanding as Pastor Paul's wife, Elizabeth.
Trask's scenes pack a punch. Trask gently but quickly peels back the layers of anger, shame, regret, love, and hope within her few scenes."-Broadway World
As You Like It
-"I can't rave enough about Emily Trask (Celia) or her comedic timing and delivery and her ability to avoid all of the pitfalls of a classically-trained actor entering the world of Shakespeare. Her scenes with Bunch overflowed with a sisterly bond. She elevated Celia from minor character to major. She had less stage time and much less to say, but the quality of her performance made her loom larger on stage and even larger in my mind once the play ended." - Broadway World
OTHELLO- Titan Theatre Company - Queens Theatre
-"Special shoutout to Titan Theatre Company member Emily Trask for her absolutely heartbreaking and wholly human portrayal of Othello's wife Desdemona. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's upcoming projects to see where she'll show up next." - Shewired- NYC
Nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" - Desdemona, Othello by The Times Ledger
-"Special shoutout to Titan Theatre Company member Emily Trask for her absolutely heartbreaking and wholly human portrayal of Othello's wife Desdemona. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's upcoming projects to see where she'll show up next." - Shewired- NYC
Nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" - Desdemona, Othello by The Times Ledger
TRAVESTIES - Bay Street Theatre
The New York Times - hailed Trask as "expert" “talented” “frisky” and “shapely” (ahem)
-“[Trask] performed wonderfully, with admirable comic timing” NY Theatre Guide
"gives as good as she gets vs. [Richard Kind]” - Newsday
The New York Times - hailed Trask as "expert" “talented” “frisky” and “shapely” (ahem)
-“[Trask] performed wonderfully, with admirable comic timing” NY Theatre Guide
"gives as good as she gets vs. [Richard Kind]” - Newsday
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM- Titan Theatre Company
-"Bottom, played by Emily Trask, was the highlight of the evening, as she managed not only to make the audience cry with laughter, but also induce chuckles from her fellow cast mates. " offlinereview - NYC
Winner "Outstanding Performance by an Actor" -awarded to the entire cast of
A Midsummer Night's Dream by The Times Ledger
-"Bottom, played by Emily Trask, was the highlight of the evening, as she managed not only to make the audience cry with laughter, but also induce chuckles from her fellow cast mates. " offlinereview - NYC
Winner "Outstanding Performance by an Actor" -awarded to the entire cast of
A Midsummer Night's Dream by The Times Ledger
THE HAMLET PROJECT- 3 Day Hangover NYC
-"Emily Trask, as Ophelia, finds several nice moments" The New York Times
-"Emily Trask gives an excellent performance as Ophelia". New York Theatre Review
-"Emily Trask, as Ophelia, finds several nice moments" The New York Times
-"Emily Trask gives an excellent performance as Ophelia". New York Theatre Review
TWELFTH NIGHT - The Folger Theatre
-“played with delightful freshness” - MDTheatreguide
-“appealingly gamine” - The Washington Post
-“winsome and sprightly” - The Washington Examiner
-“sunny and engaging” - The Washingtonian
-"Emily Trask's courageous but doubtful Viola was all I needed for the night... endearing and clever" - Broadwayspotted
-“she gets the tear ducts flowing ... Trask's Viola perfectly captures a woman whose long-lost hope has been magically rekindled“ - Shakespeareances.com
DCMetro - Best Actresses in a Play 2013 - Viola in A Twelfth Night
-“played with delightful freshness” - MDTheatreguide
-“appealingly gamine” - The Washington Post
-“winsome and sprightly” - The Washington Examiner
-“sunny and engaging” - The Washingtonian
-"Emily Trask's courageous but doubtful Viola was all I needed for the night... endearing and clever" - Broadwayspotted
-“she gets the tear ducts flowing ... Trask's Viola perfectly captures a woman whose long-lost hope has been magically rekindled“ - Shakespeareances.com
DCMetro - Best Actresses in a Play 2013 - Viola in A Twelfth Night
MACBETH - The Colonial Theatre- Shakespeare in the Park
-"Trask is a formidable presence. The actress makes her shrewd and cunning, with sexuality both masking her savage intentions and providing Macbeth further motivation... We believe her." THE BOSTON PHOENIX
-"Emily Trask's Lady Macbeth did me in on several levels... " Live Journal -
THE GAMING TABLE - The Folger Theatre
- “Yet it is Trask’s Valeria who quickly becomes an audience favorite; peering through glasses, her enthusiastic love of philosophy makes her an intriguing, boisterous antithesis to what the others represent.” Brightest Young Things
- “Trask is a hoot as a woman who would rather dissect animals than pursue romance.” Talkin' Broadway
THE TEMPEST - The Pioneer Theatre Company
-"Emily Trask as Miranda is spellbinding. She captures the innocence of a girl who has been sheltered for years from the real world. She is especially wonderful in the scene where she and Ferdinand finally make their love known to each other."- UTBA Reviewer
-"Trask is a formidable presence. The actress makes her shrewd and cunning, with sexuality both masking her savage intentions and providing Macbeth further motivation... We believe her." THE BOSTON PHOENIX
-"Emily Trask's Lady Macbeth did me in on several levels... " Live Journal -
THE GAMING TABLE - The Folger Theatre
- “Yet it is Trask’s Valeria who quickly becomes an audience favorite; peering through glasses, her enthusiastic love of philosophy makes her an intriguing, boisterous antithesis to what the others represent.” Brightest Young Things
- “Trask is a hoot as a woman who would rather dissect animals than pursue romance.” Talkin' Broadway
THE TEMPEST - The Pioneer Theatre Company
-"Emily Trask as Miranda is spellbinding. She captures the innocence of a girl who has been sheltered for years from the real world. She is especially wonderful in the scene where she and Ferdinand finally make their love known to each other."- UTBA Reviewer
UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL highlights
MERCHANT OF VENICE
- "Trask’s Portia is sexy, witty and clearly smarter than all of the men in her world...And her famous “mercy speech” (“the quality of mercy is not strained”) was the highlight in a show full of engaging speechifying.” - Salt Lake City Weekly
- “As Portia, Emily Trask has the remarkable ability to make Shakespearean speech as direct and accessible as ordinary conversation.” - Salt Lake Tribune
HAMLET
- "The Best Ophelia I have ever seen." Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts
- "Whoever decided to cast Emily Trask as Ophelia had the right idea – Trask was a show stopper... She's simply heartbreaking." – Cedar City Review
THE SECRET GARDEN
- "Emily Trask lives up to Archibald's memories of her. Trask's angelic soprano and kind but authoritative presence are the sort of stuff of which visions are made." - Deseret News
GREAT EXPECTATIONS; The Musical
- “Trask is pitch-perfect in the role of Estella" The Salt Lake Tribune
MERCHANT OF VENICE
- "Trask’s Portia is sexy, witty and clearly smarter than all of the men in her world...And her famous “mercy speech” (“the quality of mercy is not strained”) was the highlight in a show full of engaging speechifying.” - Salt Lake City Weekly
- “As Portia, Emily Trask has the remarkable ability to make Shakespearean speech as direct and accessible as ordinary conversation.” - Salt Lake Tribune
HAMLET
- "The Best Ophelia I have ever seen." Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts
- "Whoever decided to cast Emily Trask as Ophelia had the right idea – Trask was a show stopper... She's simply heartbreaking." – Cedar City Review
THE SECRET GARDEN
- "Emily Trask lives up to Archibald's memories of her. Trask's angelic soprano and kind but authoritative presence are the sort of stuff of which visions are made." - Deseret News
GREAT EXPECTATIONS; The Musical
- “Trask is pitch-perfect in the role of Estella" The Salt Lake Tribune
THE MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER highlights
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
- “the angel like voice of Emily Trask” - Performing Arts Milwaukee
TARTUFFE
- "Marianne... is played here with an insightful flourish by Emily Trask... Her rendering of the character has a playful kind of sympathy for it. Trask seems to have brilliant instincts for subtle physical comedy... It’s never overdone. Trask’s timing is perfect. We feel just a bit more for Marianne than less accomplished productions have managed in the past." Vital Source Magazine
ARMADALE
- " In stand-out performances, Emily Trask is excellent in her twin roles (the last before she leaves town to begin an MFA program at the Yale School of Drama)." Gregory G. H. Rihn (milwaukeesfs)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
- “the angel like voice of Emily Trask” - Performing Arts Milwaukee
TARTUFFE
- "Marianne... is played here with an insightful flourish by Emily Trask... Her rendering of the character has a playful kind of sympathy for it. Trask seems to have brilliant instincts for subtle physical comedy... It’s never overdone. Trask’s timing is perfect. We feel just a bit more for Marianne than less accomplished productions have managed in the past." Vital Source Magazine
ARMADALE
- " In stand-out performances, Emily Trask is excellent in her twin roles (the last before she leaves town to begin an MFA program at the Yale School of Drama)." Gregory G. H. Rihn (milwaukeesfs)
