Emma Nolan

**Emma Nolan** is a teenager from Indiana whose prom was cancelled by the Parent-Teacher Association because she wanted to bring her girlfriend. The girl Emma wants to take to prom is Alyssa, a popular but closeted student and the daughter of Mrs. Greene, the head of the PTA. Emma faces severe bullying and harassment at James Madison High School for being lesbian and for the cancellation of the prom.

## History

At Emma's grandmother's house, her grandma Bea tells Barry that Emma was kicked out of her parents' house when she came out at age sixteen.

Emma meets up with Alyssa in the courtyard to break up with her, despite Alyssa's apology.

At a restaurant by the motel, Emma asks Barry if he would be her date to the prom and he happily accepts, telling her that he has never actually been to prom because he was too scared to ask out a boy in his grade.

Principal Hawkins and Dee arrive at the motel and tell everyone that she agreed to give away the Hamptons house in order to get Emma time on Eddie Sharp's show. She turns this offer down to tell her story her way and she does this by singing a song she wrote during a livestream online. She ends up going viral and getting tons of messages from teens around the world who are struggling with the same things as her.

Alyssa finally reveals her true identity to her mother, and she and Emma make up.

Emma and Alyssa finally share a public kiss and everyone celebrates.

## Facts

She likes Haagen-Dazs.

She is described as "an anxious young high school student" in the libretto.

She doesn't live with her parents anymore.

She lives with her grandmother.

She drives a pickup truck.

Girly gowns are completely incompatible with her sense of style.

She has never been to Alyssa's house.

As of the prom, she has been with Alyssa for around a year and a half.

She started dating Alyssa most likely during their junior year.

She has lights in her room.

She plays the guitar.

As of The Prom, she is 17.

She is a lesbian.

She writes songs.

She sings (such a pretty voice).

She got over 8 million views on her viral video.

Indiana Star and the Washington Post called her and wanted her to go on TV.

Kids from across the entire state came to her inclusive prom.

Vintage tuxes fit perfectly with her sense of style.

She is an honor student.

When she was 16 and came out, her parents threw her out of the house. It was pretty ugly.

She is optimistic.

She is in a relationship with Alyssa Greene.

## Quotes

"Who knew asking out a girl to the prom would go over just like an atom bomb, and make things much worse with your dad and mom?" (Just Breathe)

"Try journaling or start a blog, just end this inner monologue." (Just Breathe)

"So what are you saying: I’m a gay, white Rosa Parks?"

"I just want to go to prom like any other kid."

"Well, I thought I’d wear a vintage tux and some high tops [to the prom]. I don’t know. Does it matter?"

"Are you saying because I’m a lesbian I drive a pickup?"

"You're sure it's not too girly?"

"Thanks for hanging out with me these past couple of days. You've been a good friend"

"I know what Haagen-Dazs is." ... "Hand it over."

"I’m going to need more of this [Haagen-Dazs]."

"I’m sorry but there is no way I am getting in front of a camera and telling my story to millions of people. I cannot do that."

"...I know I should do something; I just can’t." ... "I’m too scared."

"TV’s just not my thing."

"Despite all the recent awfulness, I still believe everybody has good in them, it’s just with some people you have to scrape away the crap to see it."

"...there will be a kick ass Prom in Edgewater Indiana for everybody, regardless of who they happen to love."