Location: Auckland, New Zealand | Height: 170 cm | Hair Colour: Brown | Eye Colour: Green | Ethnicity: European / Mixed Ethnicity / Pacific Islander / Samoan
She/ Her
Ema Barton aka EMA I’U (pronounced Emma ee ‘u) is a full-time creative of Sāmoan/Pākehā heritage based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Alongside her acting work, she weaves together song, poetry, community events, and screen production. Renowned for her soulful and versatile voice, Ema captivates audiences through storytelling and a commanding stage presence, grounded in a background that bridges theatre and environmental activism. Known as “The Queen of Open Mic,” she has run and hosted events for over a decade while performing with her bands Lucky May and Coco-Rocky. Ema is also the founder of community arts trust Holding Space Aotearoa, and initiated the Songwriters4ClimateAction project. She is now releasing original music, with her debut album and a suite of video projects currently in development.
| 2014 | Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance | Award: Rounhead Studios Song Writing Award | MAINZ |
| 2014 | Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance | Award: Atwaters Award for Outstanding Achievement | MAINZ |
| 2013 | Certificate in Contemporary Music Performance | Award: Song Writing Award | MAINZ |
| 2013 | Certificate in Contemporary Music Performance | Award: Outstanding Performer Award | MAINZ |
| 2001 | Manawatu Jazz Competition | Award: Erna Ferry Award for Best Vocalist | |
| 2001 | Pukekohe High School | Award: The Peacock Award for Best Solo |
| 2021 | Shortland Street | Role: Mandy Edmonds (Guest) | South Pacific Pictures - Director: Curtis Vowell |
| 2015 | Game Over [web series] | Role: Relationship Coach | Director: Patricia Phelan |
| 2020 | Dancing On My Own | Role: Susan | Director: Keria Paterson |
| 2014 | Deity | Role: Reality TV Star | Director: Jose de Hoyos |
| 2013 | Eggspiry Day | Role: Eva | 48 Hour Film Festival - Director: Chris Tempest |
| 2007 | Thank God I'm an Atheist | Role: Jill | Unitec Institute of Technology - Director: John Callen |
| 2014 | SIN | Role: Izzy Tamaseu | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Sarah Graham and Andrew Ford |
| 2014 | The Sex Show [2] | Role: Minerva | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Joel Herbert |
| 2013 | F*ck Love | Role: Trudy | Midnight Hallways - Director: Sarah Graham |
| 2012 | Alice | Role: The Queen of Hearts | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Joel Herbert |
| 2011 | Boys' Life | Role: Carla | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Sam Shore |
| 2011 | King Arthur | Role: Guinevere | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Sarah Graham and Joel Herbert |
| 2011 | Love After Dark | Role: Emma 'the Director' | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Chris Tempest |
| 2011 | The Sex Show | Role: Minerva | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Sarah Graham and Joel Herbert |
| 2010 | Little White Men | Role: Brittney | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Joel Herbert |
| 2010 | The Suburban Murder | Role: Athena Douglas | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Alison Quigan and Jeff Szuzterman |
| 2010 - 2009 | Treasure Island [1 and 2] | Role: Israel Hands/Blind Pew | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Alison Quigan |
| 2009 | Little White Men | Role: Vese | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Joel Herbert |
| 2009 | The Loyal Customer | Role: Emma | Oryza Foundation - Director: Ying Li and Tony Forster |
| 2008 | HAIP Youth Violence Roadshow | Role: Shikaia | HAIP - Director: Ema Barton |
| 2008 | Slapstix Commedia Show | Role: Slapstick Troupe | Director: Ema Barton |
| 2008 | The K Rd Show | Role: Vese | The Outfit Theatre Company - Director: Sarah Graham and Joel Herbert |
| 2007 | La Confusione de Amore | Role: Isabella | Unitec Institute of Technology - Director: Lisa Brickell |
| 2007 | Scenes from the Big Picture | Role: Connie | Unitec Institute of Technology - Director: Michele Hine |
| 2007 | The Life and Death of King John | Role: Queen Elinor | Unitec Institute of Technology - Director: Jacque Drew |
| 2006 | Corum Boy | Role: Chorus | Unitec Institute of Technology - Director: Jonathon Hendry |
| 2006 | The Black Flower of Jeremiah | Role: The Siren/Demon Woman | Unitec Institute of Technology - Director: Beth Kayes and Pedro Ilgenfritz |
| 2022 - 2021 | CocoRocky | Role: Lead Singer | Band |
| 2022 - 2016 | Lucky May | Role: Lead Singer, Guitarist | Band |
| 2022 - 2002 | Solo Singer, Songwriter | Lead Singer, Guitarist | |
| 2022 | The Rocking Roller Coasters | Role: Lead Singer | Band |
| 2019 - 2018 | Lucky May | Role: Guest Singer, Entertainer | P&O Cruises |
| 2022 | Coffee Relaunch - Z Coffee | Role: Sports Mum | Saatchi & Saatchi |
| 2021 | Instant Kiwi | Role: Fisher Person | Eight Productions |
| 2021 | New Zealand Blood Service | Role: Mother | YoungShand |
| 2021 | US Accents Workshop | Tutor: Jacque Drew | |
| 2015 - 2014 | Diploma of Contemporary Music Performance | Tutors: Various | MAINZ |
| 2009 | Audition Technique Workshop | Tutor: Andrea Kelland | |
| 2008 | Commedia dell'Arte Workshop | Tutor: Giovanni Fusetti | |
| 2004 | Certificate in Arts for Theatre and Film Studies | Tutors: Various | The University of Auckland |
| 2005 | Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts | Tutors: Various | Unitec Institute of Technology |
| Accents | American, English - RP |
| Dance | Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin |
| Instruments | Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Percussion, Ukelele, Drums » Basic, Keyboard » Basic |
| Languages | Samoan |
| Other | Clowning, Improv, Musical Comedy, Presenting, Public Speaker, Song Writing, Stage Fighting |
| Singing | Alto, Blues, Country, Folk, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Opera, Pop, Rock, Soprano, Soul |
| Sports | Combat Fighting, Cycling, Horse Riding, Ju Jitsu, Running, Stunt Work, Swimming, Yoga, Diving » PADI Certified Advanced Diver |
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