Northland Pioneer College (NPC) Performing Arts Department is proud to present the world premiere of a unique NPC theatrical adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved classic novel Emma beginning Friday, April 10, 2026, at the college’s Performing Arts Center in Snowflake, Arizona. The 200+ year-old classic is brought to life on stage by the creative mastery of director Katherine Stewart, producer Carson Saline and technical director Ashley Nudson. Additional performances will be held on April 11, 17, and 18.
NPC’s production is a new adaptation of Emma and audiences in the White Mountains will be the first to see it. Stewart said it is special that “NPC will always be where this take on the production was born.”
Set in the romantic Regency era of the early 1800’s, Emma centers on the relationships of a few closely knit families. With the meddling of the wealthy, handsome, and clever Emma Woodhouse, the romantic lives of those in her village are set awry. The comedy follows as she plays matchmaker for her friends and neighbors, with rather unexpected results.
“It may have been 200-plus years ago that the story was written,” explained Stewart, “but it’s still human beings, having human experiences and relationships. Our goal with this adaptation of Emma is to show how real the characters and themes are, and how relatable they still are today.” Condensing the 500-page novel into a relevant two-hour theatrical production was not easy. Stewart said, “The production team of Carson Saline and Ashley Nudson does at least eight to ten jobs apiece. The fact that they can do it all, pull it off, and make it look like there was a full theater company behind the effort is astonishing. They make it look easy,” she said. “Nobody sees the blood, sweat and tears, sleepless nights, the nail biting. They are truly masters at what they do.”
About the adaptation, Stewart notes, “If you don’t know the story of Emma, you will be taken on a lovely journey. If you do know the story of Emma, you will get to enjoy a different take on it.” She said, “I hope audiences take away a good feeling about the people around them, because at the end of the day, this story really has a lot to do with community and people’s relationships with each other. This village is genuinely interested in the lives of everyone else around them. Rather than just a town of neighbors, they are more like an extended family. The idea that love can extend beyond your family circle, and that people actually can care about others, is important. Being able to invest in other people’s happiness is a special thing.”
Showings of Emma will run for two consecutive weeks on April 10, 11, and April 17 and 18, beginning at 7 p.m. Two additional 2 p.m. matinee performances will be held on Saturday, April 11 and 18. Advance ticket prices are $16 for general adults, $13 for students, and $14 for senior citizens. Get your tickets early by visiting www.npc.edu/tickets. All shows will be held at the Performing Arts Center, 1611 S. Main in Snowflake. Questions can be addressed to NPC Faculty in Theatre and the production’s producer, Carson Saline, at (928) 536-6247 or by email at carson.saline@npc.edu.
