Alex Ellis Discusses Her Career & Working Daily on Self-Love, Self-Worth, & Self-Confidence
I would like you to meet Alex Ellis. Alex is an actress that has been performed on Broadway in the Original Broadway Cast of Catch Me If You Can (Betty u/s Brenda Strong), On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Hannah), and in the National Tours of Legally Blonde (Margot, Kate/Chutney) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie Dillmount). Her regional credits include Titanique, Idaho! A Comedy Musical, Scream, Hairspray (Penny), All Shook Up (Natalie), White Christmas, Footloose, and Into the Woods. Some of her TV and Film roles include a recurring role on Vampirina (Disney), Hollywood Darlings (Pop Network), The Fanatic (w/ John Travolta), and Chance of Showers among many others.
I really like Alex because she is an artist that truly understands her worth and the importance of being true and honest to yourself and the people around you. This industry can take a toll on you, but if you remember your why and stay strong, anything is possible! I am so honored to have the chance to feature this amazingly talented artist!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
Omg, this is such a funny memory when I dig back into the archives of my brain. My parents took me to see Cats at the Wintergarden when I was around the age of 4 in the '80s. We had third-row seats, and those lil' kitties would come and play with the first few rows. I was mesmerized... like madly in love especially with Victoria, the white cat. I couldn't believe my eyes. When they pranced around the whole theater, I specifically remember Victoria touching my head, and it was like BAM! download received. I played that record out! Daily, after school. I knew every word and was Victoria for Halloween or on a random Tuesday.
Obsession was an understatement. A few years later, let's say 3rd grade, I specifically remember being on the school bus on a Wednesday afternoon coming home from school. I was gazing out the window, daydreaming, and it was like this voice of God came into my brain, and my little girl voice said inside, "I want to be in a movie". It was almost kind of an out-of-body experience. I proudly walked off the school bus, marched into my home, and told my mom that I wanted to be an actress. She said I needed an agent, and I said, "Ok Marcia! Let's get me one!" And so, we did. I shot my first national commercial when I was 7. Community theater followed shortly after and the rest.... is still unfolding.
Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the wonderful artist you are today?
Oh man. I've had some incredible guides that have been such shepherds on my artistic journey. The first person is a man named Tom Vance who cast me as Annie in Annie Warbucks, the sequel! Did y'all even know there was a sequel?! I think with the kind of hair I have, it's a rite of passage LOL. Tom Vance ran a wonderful community theater in Charlotte, NC where I grew up, and he cast me in every summer season since I was 11 up until I graduated from college. He always found a place for me and also believed in my talent.
Other people that have been pivotal in my process are Barbara Huberman, Sara Mott, Broadway Theater Project, Cathy McNeela, Richard Gang, Linda Sabo, Nina Wheeler, Dave Clemmons, Doug Oberhamer, Donna Drake, Matt Lenz, Larry O'Keefe, Jerry Mitchell, & Stan Kirsch. Idols that I looked up to while growing up were Ann Reinking, Gwen Verdon, Shirley McClain, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnette, Sutton Foster, & Rachelle Rak (Who I got to work and share a dressing room with)!
It is a breath of fresh air to see the light at the end of this tunnel which has left all artists wondering when things will get back to normal. What are some things you have done to truly keep your spirits up during these times?
As committed lifelong artists (at least I am lol), we know the ebbs and flows of having wonderful years of work, and then bam! NADA! When the pandemic first hit, I thought well now non-artists may have an idea of what being out of work feels like for long periods of time. Not that I wish it upon anyone, but I felt familiar with the notion of not knowing when, where, what, who, or how life would proceed forward. There's an element of trust and radical acceptance that comes along with being in this business, but there's also an innate requirement and expectation of self to keep the wheels greased, trust one's imagination, and to continually release creative energy out of the body and into the world. This year has taught me to buckle down even more on imagination, writing, my voice, and collaborations. I recorded a country album called Alex Ellis & the Bluegrass Boys; I shot a short-form series called Poolside with my best friend Carly Jibson; I sing in a band in California called Habor Party, and we carefully shot tons of content outside in our backyards; I'm working on multiple scripts at the moment that are gearing up to shoot this year. What I've learned is that you must create your lane! If I waited for the phone to ring, I'd be an angry witch until the end of time LO!.
It's imperative to keep your magic and artistry up and running while also manifesting projects with others and hoping that work and jobs that we once knew and loved will start to reappear. It's all about you!
Are there any roles, shows (Stage, TV or Film), or moments in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart?
GAH! Penny Pingleton in Hairspray will forever be my number one girl! We are the same person. I've been fortunate enough to play her a few times at some incredible theaters with incredible humans, and she just resonates on a cellular level for me! I've gotten to work with Betty White; Harry Connick Jr. once came and played an audition for me at Telsey Casting out of the kindness of his heart (like what?!); One time, Shirley McClain was standing in the wings during Catch Me If You Can, and I just squealed with delight (talk about IDOL)! When you start to awaken and become aware of the innate magic around you, utter gratitude fills your body, and the love and affirmation for this incredible human experience transcends you into euphoria.
I'd love for this show I am a part of, Titanique, to make it to Broadway and start healing the world through humor, and I definitely want to be Roxie Hart one day! Oh, and Sitcom Land! I want to be a sitcom mom! Sitcoms are the most fun to shoot! It's a hybrid of theater and film, and whenever I'm on a sitcom set, I feel right at home. Heaven.
Your honesty is refreshing and much needed in this industry. With that being said, what honest advice would you give any young aspiring artists who want a career in the performing arts?
Never ever give up. I'm not kidding. There will be moments, days, years, and seasons filled with growth which can be excruciatingly painful at times. We're talking like holy hell; will this ever shift?!?! But it does! Keep going even when you don't think you can. Time isn't linear. You have to trust what you can't see. You have to believe in magic and miracles. Continue to work daily on self-love, self-worth, and self-confidence.
And meditate! I cannot stress this practice enough. Meditation has saved my life. I started five years ago and haven't missed a day since. It is the anchor for this life experience, and it will reveal to you all your magic, answers to so many questions, and help release all the energy you carry around that isn't yours!!! You came here for a special reason and mission. Trust it. I believe in you!
To learn more about Alex, make sure you visit her official website at www.thealexellis.com
To learn more about Titanique the Musical, please visit - www.titaniquemusical.com