Emily J. Young

Biography

Emily Padgett-Young joins Missouri State, having previously served on the vocal coaching faculty at Oakland University, where she also taught Musical Theatre Dance. Emily's performance career spans two decades and six Broadway shows, most recently as the original Mrs. Bucket in the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory," directed by Jack O’Brien.

Drawing upon her Southern roots, Emily played a key role in Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s first musical, "Bright Star," from its performances at the Kennedy Center through to its Tony-nominated Broadway run. Similarly, she participated in Bill Condon’s reimagined revival of "Side Show," portraying Daisy Hilton from its development at The La Jolla Playhouse, where she was awarded The San Diego Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Musical, to The Kennedy Center, earning a Helen Hayes Award nomination, and finally Broadway’s St. James Theatre.

Emily was part of the original cast of the recent Broadway revival of "Grease" and played Sandy on its first National Tour. A true "triple threat" performer, she toured the U.S. and Mexico as Demeter in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Cats" and originated the role of Alex in the musical adaptation of the 80’s classic, "Flashdance". Her dance prowess led to a Chita Rivera Award nomination for her role as Helene in the recent revival of "Sweet Charity," performing alongside Tony Award Winner, Sutton Foster.

Emily has lent her voice to several original cast albums, including "Side Show," "Bright Star," and "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory." As a concert artist, Emily has graced stages at New York’s most glamorous cabaret venues like 54 Below and Joe’s Pub at The Public Theatre. She has performed with symphony orchestras across the nation and regularly shares the stage with her husband, Tony Award Nominee Josh Young, the current Coordinator of Musical Theatre at Missouri State University. Most recently, Emily headlined for The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and The Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the musical direction of Steven Reineke, principal conductor of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.

Details

Education

AA American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)