Growing up in a 200 year old house on an idillic, hippy farmstead in Bloomington, Indiana - I didn't watch a lot of TV. I was an outdoor kid, I had no fear of mud or bugs or scrapped knees. I'm pretty sure we only got the local PBS channel anyway. Strange then that one of my first memories circles around television. Whatever show prompted this memory is long gone from my brain, but I can very clearly remember being afraid for a character in danger on TV. I remember my mother calmly explained to me that the person on TV was not really that person - it was an actor- someone who pretended to be someone else for a living. Thats it- I was a goner. My eyes were open and my heart was set. Nothing, NOTHING had ever sounded so interested or exciting to my 4 year old ears. An ACTOR. I was done for.
In my 10+ years in Chicago I have played a wide range of roles – many of which have been multi-character ensemble pieces (which let’s be honest- is an actors dream!). From last year in Polarity's Leavings, a new work centering around the BML movement and the lasting ramifications of slavery , to period pieces in Midsummer Nights Dream and Tartuffe, I flourish in almost any type of performance. Throw in some musical “plays with songs” wherein I can play and compose music on my guitar and you’ve got one happy actor.
While my first love was theatre and improv comedy – I have transitioned to on-camera. Having recently come into my “young mom” type, I have been booking consistently. In the last year I have booked 3 new media commercials, 1 web commercial campaign (5 spots), 3 print jobs, 1 voice over, and 1 live model booking. Not to mention a few high profile callbacks. I would love to continue working in commercial and voiceover, but expanding into TV and Film is my 2020 goal. There are so many major opportunities here and I want to take advantage of all of them! I have a very flexible schedule and auditions/bookings are always my first priority. I always want to work!
I’ve studied with Chicago professionals --Meisner at Artistic Home, Viewpoints and Commercial work at Act One Studios, 7 years of House Teams at iO, Second City, and an internship at Steppenwolf. I’ve studied masque and pantomime with Italian Commedia masters, French masque directors, and collegiate greats with a B.A. in Theatre from Indiana University.
Please take a look at my resume, if you have any questions I’d love to answer them. I look forward to working with you.
Thank you very much.
*And just for fun, here are some recent reviews to highlight my work:
"Perhaps the most sensitive and nuanced performance comes from Emily Radke, there's a compelling story behind Radke's character and she renders it beautifully." - Mathew Waterman, The Herald Times
“Radke has a noteworthy (singing) voice” –Clint May, Chicago Theatre Beat
“(Radke is) able to keep up with the high energy of the male ensemble, at times stealing the show.” – Danielle Stack, Chicago Theatre Beat
“Radke brings another level of comedy as the whorish girlfriend” – Katy Walsh, The Fourth Walsh
"All seven other women on the list were played, and played with aplomb by Emily Radke.”
and
“Emily Radke makes a charming Marion, both as the winsome visiting artist and the more restrained teacher.” - Both by George Walker, WFIU- NPR Affiliate