She attended Hollins College, where she planned to study painting, but became interested in drama classes instead because "they were having way more fun."
After graduation she studied at the Circle in the Square Theatre School for a year, then began to audition.
[2] Emery's theatre credits include The Matchmaker, Dinner with Friends (1999), What the Butler Saw (2000), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (2006), Talley & Son, Burn This (1987), Rumors, Present Laughter, The Women (2001), Marvin's Room (1991), Abigail's Party (2005), and Relatively Speaking (2011).
She has been nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play three times.
"[7] Emery was married to actor Josh Pais; their son, Zane, appeared with his mother in Margot at the Wedding.