Articles written by Emily “Lady Em” Culbreath

A black-and-white photograph shows three burlesque performers posing confidently at the wheel of Philly's historic ship, the Gazela Primeiro. Regal and composed, AshantiDoll stands directly behind the wheel in a sparkling gown with a white fur stole and short, curled blonde wig. On the left, Raven Nightingale wears a sequined top, fishnet stockings, and dramatic feathered sleeves, accessorized with a tall feathered headpiece. On the right, Miss Angie rocks a velvet corset-style gown with long gloves and voluminous curly hair as she tilts her head with a playful, bold look. The ornate ship’s wheel dominates the foreground,, anchoring the theatrical trio in a maritime setting that contrasts with their vintage burlesque styling.

Shiver Me Tassels!

On Sunday, September 21st, performer and producer Stephanie Griffiths—AKA Miss

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Emily “Lady Em” Culbreath (MFA) is an accomplished street and club dance practitioner, educator, and choreographer. She is a core member and rehearsal director for Rennie Harris Puremovement and as co-founder and director of her street dance theater and education outreach organization Snack Break Movement Arts

Emily “Lady Em” Culbreath

Emily “Lady Em” Culbreath (MFA) is an accomplished street and club dance practitioner, educator, and choreographer. She has been known for her role as a core member and rehearsal director for the world-renowned Hip Hop theater company Rennie Harris Puremovement and as co-founder and director of her street dance theater and education outreach organization Snack Break Movement Arts alongside her husband, Joshua “Supa-Josh” Culbreath. Their company won the Theater Forever duo competition at Summer Dance Forever in 2022. They have since shown original work in San Francisco, CA; Boulder, CO; Kalamazoo, MI; Philadelphia, PA; and Amsterdam, NL. Emily has showcased her work in various contexts, including as a guest artist at Franklin & Marshall College, Georgian Court University, and Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. Emily has taught and been an assistant facilitator at prestigious institutions, including the University of Colorado, The New School, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Juilliard, The Ailey School, and Princeton University’s outreach programs. Her work, “Plan A: Stories of Embodied Frontiers,” was selected to represent the University of Iowa at both the Central Regional Conference in Norman, OK, and at the National Conference in Washington, D.C,. in May 2025.

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