Tributes to LIPA grad Emily Chesterton

We are devastated to hear of the death of LIPA Acting graduate, Emily Chesterton.

Emily graduated in 2014. While she was at LIPA, she played the role of Orange Girl in Shout! A production that started life at LIPA, and went on to be performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and then transferred to Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Fellow LIPA graduate Francesca Goodridge was in the same year as Emily and directed her in Shout! Francesca says it was a special time. "On behalf of our class, it was a huge honour to be part of Emily’s journey at LIPA, a time she described as one of the best of her life. Emily was the definition of love and kindness, from the moment we all met her on our first day, she brought such warmth to our year.

“It feels wrong to be writing this because Emily should still be here, our hearts are broken. LIPA will always be a special place to us all, but it’s now made even more special because it brought us our Emily. A fiercely loyal friend, an unmeasurable talent, silly and majestic in equal measure - the brightest light we could have ever hoped to find. We will love her forever, and carry her with us everywhere we go, her wicked laugh and her beautiful, unforgettable voice forever singing in our ears.”

James Baker, who regularly directs LIPA productions as a visiting professional, worked with Emily on Jerry Springer: The Opera at Hope Mill, Manchester in 2019. James says she was a unique talent. “Emily was one of the kindest spirits I have ever met; a silent visionary with a rare talent that would pierce your heart with such vulnerability and wisdom.

“She gifted this world with love and her legacy will live on in those who will carry this love into everything they do. Emily, thank you for gifting this world with that love.”

Emily stayed in touch with us after her graduation and returned to undertake research and development projects. She also worked professionally with our Head of Acting Will Hammond. Will speaks for us all at LIPA when he says, “Myself and my colleagues are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Emily’s passing. I’d like to pass on condolences from the LIPA family to all of Emily’s loved ones and peers at this tragic time.”

Image: Emily in A Little Night Music one of the productions Emily performed in while at LIPA in 2014. Photography by Grant Keelan.