Ellie Frances

Actor Singer Storyteller

 I am a director who collaborates and celebrates world-building and authentic human connection through storytelling. This work and my practice are fueled by centering collaboration and community.

As a Queer lesbian activist in theatre, I must also name that this work for me, is motivated and inspired by my Queer elders who came before me in these spaces, who wielded their unique artistic expression with abundance and, most often, in the name of resistance. May my art always be rooted in activism that reflects the world we share.

Production Resume

Video/additional directing materials available on request.

The Marvelous Wonderettes

Photo Credit: Shawn Morgan Photography - NY

“Ellie Frances’ direction and choreography keeps the thinly woven act’s momentum afloat with creative staging (a kazoo and star and moon puppets are among some of the show’s most successful physical comedy) and dynamic dancing that pays tribute to 50s girl groups. When the second act —the better written of the two — hits, Frances smartly dials down the outsized staging to focus on the heartache of growing up and growing apart.”  - By Katherine Kiessling - Times Union

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“The choreography by Ellie Frances, while not complex, is perfect for each era with dancing becoming progressively more rock and roll as the decade changes. 

Director/Choreographer Ellie Frances enables the Wonderettes to give their all to this crowd-pleasing musical. While taking place in the 50s and 60s, Frances allows Cindy Lou and Betty Jean to express a hint at their possible repressed sexuality. The ending for all seems happy, as this is a musical comedy.” - By Paula Kaplan-Reiss - Berkshire Onstage

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“Director/choreographer Ellie Frances has found the emotional beats and swoopy dances steps to puncuate every serious and humorous change of heart” - Paul Lamar - The Daily Gazette

RENT

 

Little Shop of Horrors



“Queer Spooky Shorts” w/ TOSOS NYC

I had the pleasure of directing two short readings with the oldest queer theatre in NY. The two pieces I worked on were:

Song Cycle - Direction/Production

It was a true privilege to create a song cycle series rooted in community with a collaborative team that launched in the summer of 2021. This series took art directly to the community with outside gorilla-style theatre performing in parking lots, and historic theatres alike, offering a pay-what-you-want admission.

The three shows were titled: “Home” “Queer Stories” and “Community” . This three-part series allowed each of the artists involved to bring in their own materials within the different themes of each show. The narrative and flow that bonded each performance together were then created and nurtured by myself and my co-director Marcus Jordan.