Emma Ladji works across the fields of performance, sound and research.

Trained as an actor, Emma’s performance resume ranges from Shakespeare to indie film to experimental dance. She has gained accolades while performing extensively with Chicago Shakespeare Theater as well as Goodman Theater and Writers Theater among others. She made her feature film debut in Jennifer Reeder’s Knives and Skin which was nominated for best feature film at Berlin International Film Festival. 

Her music and performance projects have been supported by Links Hall, Villa Lena Foundation and Ragdale Foundation. Releasing music under the moniker, Lililo, she composes tracks using sound archives collected from natural landscapes, plant biodata and personal interviews while weaving in her own vocal melodies and lyrics to create fictional narratives. She composed the score for Blue in the Right Way’s Spring 2024 Chicago production of Women Beware Women by Thomas Middleton.

In addition, Emma performs narration for audiobooks, cultural institutions and apps. She has done voiceovers for Phoenix International Publications, AlterEgo Games, Spruth Magers Gallery, Tantor Audio and The Humane Space App. She is currently a mentee at Penguin Random House’s narrator apprenticeship program.