The Patron Saint of Losing Sleep by Diana Grisanti, Actors Theater of Charlotte

“Sleep” has less of a conventional structure than “River City,” less of a happy ending (less of an ending at all, really), less optimism and less sense of psychological closure. Yet it might be a stronger play. [...] Director Elissa Goetschius underlines Ada’s unsettled mental state with quick, fluid staging. - Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer

In an earlier incarnation as “Inc.,” Grisanti’s play received a staged reading at ATC and won its nuVoices contest last January. Now the developed version is getting a full production with a new director—Elissa Goetschius—and cast. It has become weightier than the script I recall hearing eight months ago. But it still mixes comical wonder with tragic passion through the journey of the heroine, Ada, from sleep deprivation to social action. [...] The play works best when mixing comic and tragic views of religion and feminism, through Ada’s righteous protests and yet sacrificial mistakes. - Mark Pizzato, Charlotte Viewpoint

Nicia Carla gives us a vivid account of Ada as she deals with the insomnia stemming from her misdeeds; and her supporting cast, meticulously directed by Elissa Goetschius, stir up a lively mix of comedy and drama. - Perry Tannenbaum, Art on My Sleeve 

The play offers a new perspective on the issues surrounding gender equality and violence against women, and emphasizes the systematic nature of these problems. The main character’s (Ada) journey to discover how best to be an advocate plays out alongside her struggles to fight against institutional interests that often sacrifice the individual for the corporate good. - Brianna Smith, Charlotte Five 

A Brief Narrative of an Extraordinary Birth of Rabbits by C. Denby Swanson, EMP Collective

All the more credit to the EMP Collective and director Elissa Goetschius for finding ways to make the impossible possible... [Rabbits'] was still not polished, but it earns high marks for chutzpah and oddity. - J. Wynn Rousuck quoted in Style Magazine Baltimore

So for the profound moments, or for the comedy; be you interested in puppets in the lady bits, or the rabbits that are there also, this particular production will keep you engaged even if you do leave the theatre a little confused and asking yourself what it was you really just saw. The EMP Collective’s birthing of this rabbit narrative is one for the baby book. - Amanda Gunther, DC Metro Theatre Arts

WYPR Theater Critic J. Wynn Rousuck's Review

Night Sweats by Dan Caffrey, Rachel Lane, Josh Mikel, and Cameron Stuart, EMP Collective

The subject of the piece is ambitious and could have easily lost the audience within its twist and turns but EMP delivered a production that captured the essence of impossible adventures and fantastical conversations we have with ourselves while sleeping. - Brooke Hall & Justin Allen, What Weekly 

Amazons & Their Men by Jordan Harrison, Forum Theatre

'Amazons and Their Men' explores nexus of fascism and mythology - Peter Marks, Washington Post

Forum looks at a self-deluding filmmaker - Chris Klimek, Washington City Paper

Amazons and Their Men - Phil Calabro, DC Theatre Scene