“Emma Maguire has a skill-set spanning the broad gambit of artistic pursuits. Can they act, direct, produce, market, work a sound board? The answer is yes but wait there's more - so much more to Emma's ability to weave the intangible threads of a concept into a professional standard product. Emma does this seamlessly and has made the process an absolute joy to be part of it.” - Isham Redford, performer, Two Bros*. (Whanganui)

“Emma Maguire is a wonderful director and creative collaborator. They communicate well, work safely, and are generous with their wealth of theatre knowledge.” - Lox Dixon, director, Rent. (Wellington)

“Emma Maguire is a multi-talented theatre maker with so many strings to their bow. From marketing, to acting to dancing to sound design to writing to directing to producing, Emma can truly do it all. It is rare to find someone with so many talents but it is even more rare to find someone who is a wonderful human being. Emma as a person is humble, kind, open and humble and someone I enjoy working with time and time again. Work with Emma Maguire and and you will see how they will approach work with aroha and care.” - Anastasia Matteini-Roberts, co-director, Declarations of Love (London)

“I have had the pleasure of working with Emma Maguire in a variety of capacities over the last several years, and each time I’ve felt confident that they were the best person for the job. As a playwright and director of both scripted and devised theatre, Em is confident, assured, and empathetic. As a theatre critic, they are astute and insightful. Most recently, as a key member of our Festival team, they were instrumental in delivering an effective season to our audiences in a year where we faced a number of logistical and financial challenges. Through all of this, Em is a pillar of the New Zealand theatre community and a fierce voice for queer, disabled, neurodiverse, and minority practitioners and audiences. I have no hesitation in voicing my whole-hearted support for Em’s work.” - Matt Powell, Festival Co-Director, NZ Improv Fest (Wellington)

“Emma is a dedicated and reliable creative. They have a tremendous work ethic and are happy to work in many different areas of theatre giving them a broad skill set. They are always seeking new and groundbreaking projects to work on and are a wonderful team member. I would not hesitate to recommend them.” - Hilary Norris, professional actor, director and vocal coach (Wellington)

“I have worked with Emma on numerous projects over the last four years, and I can honestly say they have consistently been an absolute dream to work with. They show an incredible level of professionalism and empathy right from the very first piece of comms. They are always willing to share their skills with everyone in the group, and are constantly searching for new ways to open up the space to be a more inclusive, thoughtful environment for everyone. My personal artistic journey underwent a positive change in perspective after first working with Emma, and having them and their mahi running alongside my own journey has encouraged me to keep searching for that next level, and to never get complacent with inclusivity. They always have been, and always are, a true privilege to work with.” - Haydn Carter, performer, Two Bros* (Wellington)

“I've had the privilege to know Emma as a creative collaborator and dear friend for 5 years, and I can confidently say they are one of the hardest working and kindest caring artists working in the Wellington circuit. Across all the different mediums and disciplines and genres and teams they've worked in, they've never once let anything come before the well-being and support of the crew and cast, and it shows in the intellectual and emotional quality and depth of the art they produce, and in the demand they hold in the community. People want to work with them because they know working with Emma means being seen and heard and supported and fought for. I've not just heard no bad things about them, I've exclusively heard full-hearted praise.” - Hamish Boyle, performer, Marc & Marisha Time Travel Wellington! (Auckland)

“Em Maguire is a thoughtful, passionate, and talented director, whose work combines a depth of knowledge on the tradition and history of the form, with a breadth of understanding of ways to push it forward. I can think of nobody in Aotearoa who is more suitable to tackle scripts with heart, humour, history and heroism.” - Jim Fishwick (they/them) General Manager, Jetpack Theatre. Artistic Co-Director, New Zealand Improv Festival (Sydney/Eora)

“Em is a hard-working, thoughtful and empathetic theatre-maker. Their work pushes new forms while always placing people at the centre of any process. On and off stage Em is a wonderful contributor to Aoteaora's theatre industry.” - Austin Harrison, performer, DETECTED! (Wellington)

“Emma is an incredibly dedicated and multi-talented theatre practitioner. I have had the privilege of working with them on two of my plays, Dying Swanologues and Colour Me Cecily. Emma went well above and beyond the call of duty in both projects, taking on multiple roles in the difficult COVID climate. They maintained a sense of calm and a positive can-do attitude throughout. I would work with Emma again any time.” - Bea Lee-Smith, professional artist (Wellington)