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Ellen Desitter

Current Projects Blog

M.I.A. But Not Far Away...

8/17/2017

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Hello and welcome to my web page! For those who regularly look at my blogs, I apologize for the delay. It has been close to a year since my last blog. All I can say is that I've had a lot on my plate. My freelance gigs for stilts and such have picked up, I've been auditioning a lot, I'm writing a web series, and so much more. I'm excited to share with you all that I've been doing! 

Auditions 
In general, I've been concentrating on auditioning for projects that I truly feel I want to do. That might seem like the obvious course of action, but I think many performers can relate to the feeling that they must audition for anything and everything - which is helpful in its own right. An actor should try to be seen as much as possible for exposure and practice (if nothing else). However, I've found myself rather busy (a good problem to have) and have had to cut back. Even so, I hustle hard to be at as many equity auditions as possible, am now present on several actor promotion pages (nowcasting, actors access, & casting network), and officially started being represented by Babes 'N Beaus Talent Agency back in October.

​Freelance
A good portion of my time has gone to what I like to refer to as my "Gig Life." EllEntertainment, Imaginez Ensemblez, Murder Mystery USA, Collaboraction After Dark, etc have kept me running. Also, as of 2 months ago, I have my own car! This opens so many doors and makes taking on more gigs possible. ​

​Back in Sept 2016, I performed as a Tall Angel on stilts through Imaginez Ensemblez. This was for the Stronghold Olde English Faire in Oregon, IL. I had lovely time and it was so neat to get to know yet another Faire. By the looks of it, I will be back there again this October.
 

I also got to perform as a Tall Angel at a wedding! So grateful to have been a part of this couple's special day. 
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In late September & early October, I booked myself a couple times at the Il Poveretto Café in Melrose Park. I had never stilt walked at a bar before so it was a big learning experience! 
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​During this same time, I was hired for an event through The Vagabonds of the Runaway Circus to perform at the Big Gig Immersion Hospital Fundraiser. This event became a bigger deal for me than I could have initially anticipated. The theme was "Under the Sea" and they gave me a small stipend to make a Jellyfish stilt costume. The stipend wasn't nearly enough to cover the cost of a new costume, so the bargain was that I got to keep the large creation. 

This new character in my repertoire I call Jeraldine Jellyfish. Although quite an investment in terms of time and money, I'm proud to say my work is paying off. Since the gig when she debuted, Jeraldine Jellyfish has been booked four more times in less than a year
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​In the spring, she appeared at two New Belgium Brewing Co. PJ Parties (the first booked through Imaginez Ensemblez). 

​She was also present both days at the Evanston Custer Fair! 
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A special thanks to Steven Bourelle Photography for taking such beautiful publicity photos (see more in the EllEntertainment section of my web page). 
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I was thrilled when the Kristina Isabelle Dance Co. brought me on board to stilt walk as an "Earth Element" at the Chicago March for Science. I was proud to be a part of such a great cause and was happy to see so many people out there in support, as well.

​In the late spring, I even made a trip out to my alma mater Northern Illinois University to perform a stilt dance for "Arti-Gras!" It is a colorful event for the college and surrounding community bringing various forms of art and artists together. I was in the variety show and had art pieces up for sale in one of the participating shops. Thank you to Melanie Parks for setting up the event and inviting me to take part. 

Recently, I got to perform a birthday/ wedding anniversary party with a fantastic view. Congratulations to Aisha and her husband! It was a black and white affair that I made new, black stilt leggings for. I performed another private party thrown by Henry Belton at his family's beautiful home in Kenilworth. Both parties were a hoot! 

Once again, I was asked to perform on stilts at the Six Flags, Coca Cola 4th of July Festival (July 2nd, 3rd and 4th). This was 15 hours of stilt walking - very grueling, but so much fun! I hope to be back at Six Flags again soon. 

​For the 3rd year in a row, I stilt walked in the Wheaton Township 4th of July Parade. I was strutting about in another new stilt costume with leggings that detach. I've made them in such a way that they will be able to attach to several different colored pairs of overalls. I hope to make more leggings of different colors like this so I have a wider array of costumes to match different event color schemes! This event was also special because I got to perform with Melissa 'Mouse' Carlson for the third time in a year and the second time at this particular event. 
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Also for a second year in a row, I was asked by Collaboraction Theatre to stilt walk at Lollapalooza in the Kidzapalooza section. It was quite the weekend. I was at the festival all four days and got to see some terrific muscians when I was finished performing. 

Just recently, Black Lives Black Words had another show go up called Our America Project. This production show-cased talented, female playwrights and directors. I stood outside the theatre on stilts to direct folks to the show. Thank you Reginald Edmund for organizing such a wonderful and meaningful production. See the poster below for future events put on by Black Lives Black Words and do check out the Black Lives Black Words web page or facebook page.
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Only a couple of days ago, I got to perform with Imaginez Ensemblez for the New Belgium Brewing Co once again. It was the Tour de Fat Music Festival in Madison, WI. Our job was to raise awareness of the event and pass out tickets and swag to folks on the streets before the start of the festival. We certainly turned a lot of heads!
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On the horizon, I have a couple more stilt gigs including a fundraiser in Downers Grove and a 21st birthday party in Cicero. I'm blessed to have so much to look forward to and I only hope more will come my way. 
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Although my stilt characters are most popular, I have high hopes for my living statue character Marbelle. She has been newly "polished" and is ready to go (or stand very still). I've darkened the colors on the costume and painted a matching pedestal and props for her. Many thanks to Greg Williamson for building the pedestal and to Steven Bourelle Photography for some more lovely publicity shots. 

Marbelle has already appeared at a Mardi Gras themed company party (thank you Imaginez Ensemblez for the booking) and will hopefully make a few more appearances on the streets of Chicago this summer! I have purchased a busking permit and hope to be out there as time and weather permit. 
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On a more serious note, I utilized my Marbelle costume and pedestal for a somber, self choreographed piece. It was for a beautiful event called Making (the) Movement. This event was created to raise awareness of sexual assault as well as to raise money and support for organizations that help victims. Part of the evening was dedicated to one minute dance pieces that where meant to reflect the event. Some of us told stories. I told my own. It was a very emotional and big 'out of comfort zone' step for me. My piece I called Stone Cold Conscience and it was in two parts. I have both parts posted, but know the content is sad and difficult if you intend to watch it. I feel this event was therapeutic and encouraging for many. 

In the winter, I performed with Melissa "Mouse" Carlson at the Wrigley Co.  holiday party. I was a tin soldier and she was a walking Christmas tree. It had been so long since I had gotten to play as a mechanical toy. The costume was the makings of Mouse, but the make up design was my own. 

I do not appear as a fairy as often as I would like; however, Imaginez Ensemblez gave me that joyful opportunity this year. We performed as the Imaginez Fireflies at a children's science fair up in Thunder Bay, Ontario! This was only my third time traveling outside the USA and my second time performing in Canada

Film:
Believe it or not, character gig life is not the only thing I've been up to. 
Back in the fall, I starred in a student film called The Servant. This film was written and directed by a School of the Art Institute student Poppy Xing. The film is reminiscent of The Stepford Wives. In the end my character's life is turned upside down. I met some wonderful, talented people on that shoot.

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I also make an appearance in the film (still in progress) Liberty Sisters. This is a Paul Barile production. 
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This summer has another film project in store for me. I'm writing my first web series! I can't say much for now, but the episodes will run about 5 minutes long (each). My goal is to have a couple episodes written by the end of the summer and one of them filmed by mid fall. This has been my brain child for about 2 years and I'm excited to finally be taking steps to see it through. I also signed up for an On-Camera Course through The Artistic Home to get "back into shape." We've just finished classes and I'm excited to get the final result from my last scene so I can add more to my reel. 


Podcast:
Starlight Radio Dreams is in the midst of its 2nd season! We have a couple returning serials as well as a few new ones. Geezer Space and Mob Daughters have continued on into this season and our new ones are Olympic Shore and Public Domain Adventure Team. Olympic Shore features the Greek gods and mythical characters living and bickering as though they were on Jersey Shore. In Public Domain Adventure Team we follow Jane Eyre, Mr. Toad, Master Beowulf, and the Ghost of Christmas Past as they try to solve mysteries and help out other classic characters from literature. In Olympic Shore, I play the goddess Demeter while in Public Domain everyone switches characters every episode. Apart from our serials, we also have funny short pieces, guest artists, and the usual ridiculous banter between our hosts. Please check out our full episodes (or you can also just listen to individual serials) on our web page starlighradiodreams.com. There you will also find information on our live performances. *Painting by Noah Ginex*

​Classes:
So you now know that I just finished an on-camera course, but I only just finished a new stage combat course in June as well. It was knife fighting at the Actor's Gymnasium with Chuck Coyl. I had been waiting to take this course for literally a couple of years since I did the Winter Wonderland Fight workshop back in 2015. Sandra Howard was my partner for the final and we ended up doing a ridiculous fight scene from the film Drop Dead Gorgeous. We both received our knife SPT certifications! This is my 3rd. I hope to take a sword fighting class next so that I may earn the title of "Actor Combatant."

The "Actor Combatant" title is not the only goal I have, of course. Especially after this last class, I've decided to look into stunt school. Since I'm starting to gravitate more towards film acting, I think stunt work would be a great way to showcase my movement skills and get my foot in the door. More on this to come. 

​Art:
Something a little different I've been working on in my spare time is visual art. Lately, I've been developing a style where I work with cloth textiles that I sew together, stretch (canvas like), and then paint over. My piece Chump Tower, Chicago has been hung up in a couple of venues now including: Argo Tea, The Plagiarists Theater Co. Fundraiser - Art in the Time of Plagiarism, and most recently the Blick Art Supply Store on State St (downtown Chicago). At Blick, I had entered it into a competition and was told that although I initially tied for 1st place, they brought in a 3rd patry to be a tie breaker and my piece was then, sadly, moved to 2nd place. I still like to say that, in a way, I did get 1st. I'm selling postcards of the piece for $3 a card (contact me if interested). This piece is the first in a political series I'm planning to call Betsy Ross that S@$t. The 2nd piece in the series is about 70% complete.
Shows:
Right now, I'm in a musical! This is the first musical I've been in since high school and I even have my own song (most of it is spoken, but still very exciting). The piece is called ShockHeaded Peter and it is being put up by Black Button Eyes Productions. So many wonderful and weird things happening with this rendition. It will come as no surprise that, for a scene in the play, I will be on stilts! The show mixes creepy and comedy very well. It is bizarre and macabre, yet whimsical. We have already received around fifteen different reviews (the majority poitive) and I've gotten a few special mentions! Click here to read one of the many reviews. ShockHeaded Peter runs Aug 17th -Sept 17th, Thurs -Sun at the Athenaeum Theatre. You can purchase tickets early at athenaeumtheatre.org or at the Black Button Eyes Productions Facebook page. 
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Future possibilities: 
This may be a surprise, but I'm considering moving to LA next summer (I visited for the first time in May). This choice depends on many things -money of course, but not solely. I want to see how this year pans out in Chicago. I'd like to see if my web series does well and keeps me here (since I want to film it in Chicago). If I book with theaters I've been wanting to work with, that would also keep me here. However, I feel that if my career stays about where it is, then I will need a change. I'm also considering Minneapolis for a little bit or briefly jumping on the Renaissance Faire Circuit for a few shows (just for a change in scenery). It's exciting to think about, especially if I can snag the opportunities I desire. I'm still in research mode. Nothing is concrete, so stay tuned!


This year has been full of small advancements. I'm grateful for the ones I've had. I only hope that the rest of this year brings about some bigger ones. I've been doing a lot of building and running about. I'm ready for the next chapter -wherever that may lead.
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Walking Tall

9/14/2016

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Hello Folks,
     Welcome to my webpage! It has been about six months since my last blog and I'm glad to have found some time to post again. Many wonderful and unexpected opportunities have come my way and I'm excited to share them. 

     At the time of my last blog, I was in rehearsal for Strangeloop Theatre's French With Me Gala. The piece was called Come Enjoy the Show or The Inexhaustable, Unpredictable, Amaranthine Shadow Circus. It was a dark story involving circus performers and a dangerous love triangle. I performed as the Enchanting Eliana - a tight rope & stilt walker who steals the heart of a young gentleman in the audience. In the end, a difficult decision has to be made by both of them if their love is to continue.
​The piece went over very well and its author & director, Maria Burnham is working to turn the ten minute play into a full length production. 
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     In March and April, I was cast in the first production of a new company called Switchboard Theatre. We performed two one acts: Overtones, by Alice Gerstenberg and The Game, by Louise Bryant. Both pieces were directed by Hillary Champlin. Overtones follows an interaction between two women, Harriet and Margaret, who used to be school chums and are now meeting up for the first time in years. Each is accompanied by their inner selves (or inner thoughts), Hetty and Maggie (played by two separate actresses). Both ladies want something the other has. Their inner selves are the driving force behind how their gentle 'overtone' personas get what they want. I played Margaret, the wife of a starving artist with whom the wealthy Harriet is in love. The second piece The Game involves Life and Death gambling over the lives of two brilliant youths who wish to end their lives. Life helps them discover love in hopes to save them. I played Life. This show was my first time performing at Mary's Attic in Andersonville.
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     This spring, I took a stab at stand up comedy! The Plagiarists Theatre Co. hosted a Salonathon sporting the theme Legacy. I used my storytelling background and attempted a hybrid style of funny storytelling plus stand up. The focus of my routine revolved around some of my more ridiculous day job moments. It was well received - which was encouraging! I intend to do more stand up in the future. 
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     On Super Bowl Sunday, I was involved in a photo shoot led by the talented photographer Ivan Phillips. The shoot was named Superstrobe Sunday! It was meant as a class (taught by Ivan Phillips) for aspiring photographers as well as a way for many of them to get more experience with models. I was one of the hired models. I had a great time getting to know/work with different photographers. Check out my photos here or on my profile through Model Mayhem. 
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 (Photo Credit: Ivan Philips)

     As my summer was about to begin, I was initially meant to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah. My talented friend Cooper Lee Smith had just co-founded a new company out there called the Straw to Gold Ensemble. I was set to perform in their first show The Crickets Have Arthritis. Unfortunately, due to some sad circumstances, the production process got pushed back and my intended living/ travel situation became complicated. I was unable to go to Salt Lake City and had to drop from the show. Very quickly, I reevaluated my summer plans and prepared myself to find work again in Chicago. On a positive note, I decided to visit New York and Boston both for the first time. I love discovering new cities. I had no idea, however, how many opportunities would come my way in the next couple of months.
     In late June, I got cast in a piece submitted for a playwright festival/compettition held at City Lit. The event was called The Art of Adaptation and each playwright was to submit a twenty minute play that had to be based off of or adapted from an existing work or historic event. I played Frauline Elizabeth in A Case of Hysteria, written by Ken Kaye. This piece was adapted from one of Freud's early lectures. Our play was very well received, although our playwright did not win. Since this piece was only a snippet from Ken Kaye's full length play, we have high hopes it will get picked up in the near future (and its original cast with it). To see a recording of the play, click here. 
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     Immediately following A Case of Hysteria, I started rehearsals for Walkabout Theatre's summer play in the parks Tall Girl and the Lightning Parade. It was my first time performing in one of Walkabout's shows (although I've worked with some of its members before). It was truly a grand piece, suitable for adults and children. Tall Girl and the Lightning Parade was a touching and visually stunning love story told by a large cast involving stilt walkers, puppeteers, musicians, storytellers, and more. It was also a bilingual show, spoken in English and Spanish. I played one of the Storm Gods (brothers to the Sun). When the Tall Girl attempts to elope with her love, the Storm Gods are ordered by the Sun (her father) to seek them out and bring her back. The role required a lot of stilt dancing, which I was more than eager to partake in. The performances always started with a parade to draw a crowd and we received a lot of positive feed back. Check out our review from New City Stage here. 
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​(Photo Credit: The Obsessive Eye Photography)

Starlight Radio Dreams (the radio podcast group I'm an ensemble member of) is still going strong. You can check us out online at www.starlightradiodreams.com, on i-tunes, and on our facebook page. Every month we have a new episode. In one of our most recent releases, you can listen to me as Hildy in Mob Daughters and as the character 'Intern' stepping in for our usual host (Devin Showtime) who was out of town that month. Click here to find all of our posted episodes. More exciting, is that this month marks our season 1 finale! Check out one of our two performances if you can. We regularly have our first of the two monthly performances at Black Rock Pub and we will have our second monthly performance at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro. Come October, we will be moving into our second season! We will be changing out a couple of our serials and I'm looking to submit one of my own for consideration. Stay tuned! 
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(Mob Daughters​)

​     This summer, I was on set a couple of times for the new television show Patriot. I stood in for one of the characters and I was background for another scene. It's always nice to get some time on a large studio set. Thank you 4 Star Casting for the numerous opportunities!
    
     Over the past six months I participated in numerous workshops and specialty skill sessions.
-The first was a workshop on Suzuki, led by Dan Wilson. The atmosphere was relaxed. but charged with a unique energy. It was lovely to flow into a new kind of movement training. 
-In May, I felt so lucky to have been informed about a fantastic week long clowning workshop. The instructor was a french performer and master in clown, Victor Quezada-Perez. Trap Door Theatre was the hosting company. It was incredible what I learned and it certainly gave me a physical and mental workout! Victor Quezada-Perez will be coming back to Chicago to do another workshop and direct a Trap Door theatre show in 2017.   
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-More recently, I had the pleasure of taking another stilt dancing workshop with Kristina Isabelle Dance Co. As you can probably tell, I love being on stilts and her courses push me to test my boundaries and consistently discover what I can do on them. I've taken both two day workshops she has offered this year and now there is talk of her setting up a regular class! Check out my stilt dancing videos in my Specialty Skills section.
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   Other skills I've been honing/ picking up include:
-Fire Poi

​-Balloon Animals/Hats
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​-Trapeze
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-Whip Cracking (See videos in my Specialty Training section)

​     EllEntertainment is starting to gain momentum, I'm proud to say. In February, Flopples the Clown Rag Doll made an appearance at the For the Love of Chocolate Gala. It has been a couple of years, but I have worked this event before during my actor apprenticeship with Redmoon Theatre Co. This time it was fun to be roving about as a character of my own creation. 
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     In late June, I booked two other performers to play Gerttie the Lass on Stilts and Flava the Sunflower Pixie at the Homer Township 4th of July Parade (I was out of town). It was bizarre seeing other performers in my costumes, but they looked phenomenal! 
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     I performed at Six Flags Great America as Gerttie for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of July. I stilt walked five hours a day, interacting with the patrons of the park. I enjoyed it immensely and I hope to work for them again! I also performed as Gerttie at the Wheaton Township 4th of July Parade (right before my day at Six Flags). 
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     In late July, I stilt walked in the Kidzapalooza section of Lollapalooza. I was with Collaboraction Theatre. That weekend was a blast! Hopefully they will bring me back next year.
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     This fall, I have a lot of plans and a few gigs already lined up. I'll be a stilt walking angel at a wedding & at the Stronghold Festival in Oregon, IL, the Art Bar caretaker for Collaboraction at the September After Dark event, and a suspicious character in a Murder Mystery Dinner - to name a few. I'm developing a couple of movement workshops (which I'm currently negotiating) to teach at The Armory Art Center in Boston, MA.

     I've been walking tall (figuratively and literally) for most of the summer. I have high hopes in keeping the momentum going this fall. Thank you so much for reading my blog and be sure to check out my new photos, videos, and much anticipated reels!

Best,
​Ellen
          
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Continuing to Build

2/5/2016

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Hey Folks!

     Welcome to my webpage! For almost half a year, my schedule has been filled with classes and workshops. I've been working hard at honing my skills as well as acquiring a few new ones. 

     I've continued to take lessons on the trapeze with Camille Swift. We have been focusing on strength conditioning, various beats, and a beginner trick sequence. Below is a picture of a trick I learned in October, just in time for Halloween. It's called The Coffin. 
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I also have my second trapeze blog; it was themed for the holiday season! It features where I am in the trick sequence. 
   
     A couple of months back, I took several private lessons in whip cracking with Alexander M. Knapp. The first lesson or two, I whipped myself more than anything else. However, I very quickly started to get the hang of it. The video below demonstrates a few of the different cracks I've been working on. 
  
     In October, I finished the Susan Hart and Jeffrey Carlson one play focus class on Romeo and Juliet. Fantastic work came out of that class from everyone involved. For my Juliet scene, I had the privilege to work on Juliet's soliloquy "The Clock Struck Nine," Act II - Scene V. I've used this monologue at several auditions and have gotten some great feedback. I hope to take another class with them soon!

     After avoiding many musical auditions, I decided that it was time to get the voice lessons I had been hoping to do for a couple of years. I've been training with a lovely vocal coach, Sarah Gerloff. She teaches through InVoice Chicago. It has been extremely helpful towards my technique development and giving me the confidence I've been lacking in my singing voice. I am also teaching myself how to play the ukulele to expand my abilities in music!

     Recently, I finished my SPT in Unarmed with Chuck Coyl. The class was wonderful and I can't wait to use the skills I learned in a production. For our final, Stephen Dale and I performed the final scene from Noel Coward's Private Lives as Sybil and Victor. We both received the Recommended Pass from our adjudicator Scot Mann! This is my second stage combat certification. See the video of our final below: 


     
     In October and November, I performed at the Art Institute of Chicago's After Dark through Collaboraction Theatre. After Dark is a spectacular party and gallery showing that happens every month. It is an event that features either an artist, architect, or genre of art and Collaboraction provides entertainment to fit the theme. In October, they featured the architect David Adjaye and our theme was Let's Build Something Together! The guests at the event helped build the final masterpiece, but Collaboraction folks had the fun task of destroying it!  
In November, Krishna art was featured. For this event, we got to learn an Indian dance!
I also performed at Collaboraction's fundraiser/ anniversary. They are a lovely company that does so much for the community and I hope I get to perform with them again soon.
 
     Around Thanksgiving I got to bust out my voice over chops. I am now a regular performer with a new live radio podcast performance group called Starlight Radio Dreams. During my first performance, I was their special guest and played multiple characters including a former youtube sensation (Cherry Dinkles), a spaceship captain, and the co - leader of a mob. To hear an episode featuring my reoccurring character from Mob Daughters, Hildred, click here.  There will be another posting from Starlight Radio Dreams soon! I also performed voice work for the group Laarsen's Podcast. I play the role of Themma. To hear my part of the episode, listen below (I come in around the 6 minute mark). 
     This fall, I took part in my first commercial for Yup Milk. This commercial was put together by The Onion. I will post the video when it is up and finished. My marching feet might be featured in this piece! 

     In the realm of circus, I have also been practicing clown. I've put together two pieces - Flopples the Clown Doll and The Bag Lady. I performed them at Fa La La Limelight Variety Show and they were well received! I got some great feedback and I am looking to step both of them up to the next level of skill with the help of an instructor at Aloft Circus School. To view the pieces as they are now, go to my Specialty Training section and look for Clown Work. 

     Right now, my reels remain the big unfinished project. My crew ran into a few snags, unfortunately. The scenes I did with my partner Kent Nusbaum back in August, might have to be re filmed.  On a positive note, the scenes I have been working on with Joseph Orgel are in the filming process! We have filmed two of our three scenes and we are working with a new, brilliant cameraman Harry Warnaar. Shifra Werch is once again our talented director and the last scene is ready to shoot as soon as we find the right location.

     I'm very excited to say that a film I had a small role in a couple of years ago has been completed! The film is called Lost Signals and it was written, directed and acted in by Coleman Patrick Ranahan. This film also stars my scene partner Kent Nusbaum. To see the scene in which I took part, check out my Reels and Demos page. To view the trailer, see the video below. 
 

     Other than the above mentioned, I've been involved in a script read through/ development process with Strangeloop Theatre, performed in a dinner theatre production, had a stilt walking gig around Halloween, got stunning, new Head Shots from Bourelle Photography, and printed off new cards and brochures for my freelance character business EllEntertainment (If you would like one mailed to you, please request one through my Contact Info page). I'm currently cast in a ten minute play (a dark circus themed loved story) for Strangeloop Theatre's big Gala French with Me (Feb 13th, 2016  - get your tickets!) and I'm also cast in the upcoming play festival being produced by Switchboard Theatre. More on those later...  

     Recently, my life has been hit by some major changes and 2016 is already going to prove interesting. I'm excited to see what the new year will bring and how I will face the upcoming challenges.

Best,
Ellen
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So Many Projects!

8/22/2015

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Hello! 
Welcome to my webpage! It's been awhile since my last blog post and I'm very excited to share everything I've been involved with over the past few months. As usual, the summer has been very exhausting, but I'm proud of what I've accomplished.

Theatre/Film

 Back in late April / early May, Ricardo Bouyett's film Lionheart had it's wrap up. It was an emotional journey with gorgeous footage. Special thanks to Ricardo for letting me be a part of this production.
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Also, the world premiere of Strangeloop Theatre's Thinking Caps by Keith Gatchel went very well. The play was staged in an old converted funeral home known as the Charnel House – a fascinating and unique space to work in. Click to see Reviews, Photos, and Interviews. 
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As many of you know, Spike Lee has been in Chicago working on Chiraq, his latest film. I was enlisted as a dancer for a large group scene / music video. After a long day in three inch heels, I can't wait to see how the final cut of the scene turns out. The filming of Chiraq has created a large debate here in Chicago. For an idea of what people are saying/ what Spike Lee is hoping to accomplish, click here.

Freelance

Over the past few months I have actively been building costumes and fleshing out new characters for freelance work. From May to July, I had three movement character gigs.

Once again, I performed as a fairy for the wonderful Miracle Gala put on by Tiana Cove. This yearly event raises money towards the Montessori school program for the hearing impaired. There were a lot of wonderful children (about 50) and everyone had a great time. This gig also allowed me to present one of my newest characters – Flava the Sunflower Pixie! 
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In July, I had the pleasure of once again performing with the company Imaginez Ensemblez. The group traveled up to Ontario to perform at a Canada Day festival. We played firefly fairies and interacted with all the patrons. It was a blast and this trip marks my first time visiting Canada and my second time overall leaving the United States. See us glow here!
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The most recent gig I performed was on the Fourth of July. I was a stilt walker at the Wheaton Park District Parade. It was a fun gig not only because I got to perform in a parade for the first time, but I also got to show off my newest stilts costume!
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Courses

In May, I finished up the MACE SPT course in quarterstaff fighting. After thirty hours of experience, I got my basic pass in the weapon.
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In the coming fall, I will be taking a hand to hand SPT course with Chuck Coyle and an advanced Play Study course on “Romeo and Juliet” with Susan Hart and Jeffrey Carlson.
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Training

I can't seem to help myself when it comes to learning new specialty skills. Recently, I had a stilt walking adventure through Grant and Millenium Park – just for practice. I like giving people the chance to witness something different that they don't expect to see during their usual routine. Judging by the amount of pictures I was asked to be in, I think the walk was a success. 
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I'm currently learning basic trapeze from Camille Swift- a fantastic trapeze artist. Check out my progress videos below. The first part shows a majority of the conditioning exercises I do. In the second part, I perform some basic tricks I've been working on.  You can even watch a little bit of Camille as she demonstrates an exercise to me.
Part I - Conditioning 8/9/2015
Part II - Basic Tricks 8/9/2015

I'm also getting lessons in Kung Fu from Sifu Richard Baron at his school 'Kung Fu Power' in Deerfield. On occasion, I have lessons in Hapkido from Joseph Orgel at the same school. The idea of knowing how to defend myself thrills me.

Reels

As I mentioned in my last blog, my reels are well underway! I'm working with two very talented scene partners, Kent Nusbaum and Joseph Orgel, and a wonderful director, Shifra Werch.

My two scenes with Kent are filmed and are being edited at this time. We had a lot of fun and are proud to say that filming went fast and efficiently. We had great camera men and lovely locations that fit the scenes perfectly (one being the elegant ladies bathroom at the Chicago Symphony Center). The scenes were chosen from Adam Pasen's short play Star Fucker and from Andrea Sloan Pink's short play Warner Bros.

Joseph and I are in the heart of our scene work. We have three scenes we are working on: the first is from A. R. Gurney's short play The Interview, the second is from the film A Beautiful Mind, and our third is from David Mamet's play Oleanna.

Future Projects

This summer has been mostly dedicated to 'profession projects,' as I like to call them. Apart from my reels, I've been preparing to create a new voice over demo and new business cards. New head shots and a composite card are also on my agenda. As I mentioned earlier, I've been busy building costumes and creating new characters. Thus far, I have a new fairy character, living statue, and a new stilts costume (check them out here). As time and money permit, I plan to make a more ethereal stilt character and a mechanical doll character. I'm already looking at fabrics.

A future project I have underway is a short clown piece. I'll be putting this together with another talented actor, Cody Davis. I've selected a scene from Steinbeck's classic story Of Mice and Men. More on this later as it develops.
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Cody Davis (Lenny) and myself (George) make quite the comic pair!

I'm also looking to finish a piece I began with a group of musicians about a year ago. It's a show of storytelling and music based off of three Grimm's fairy tales. I put together the three scripts and will be the narrator (as well as speaking for numerous characters). The three talented musicians, Angela Kepley (percussionist), Brian Wach (percussionist), and Zachary Weiss (flautist) are composing the music and sound. They will also be speaking for several characters. We're really looking forward to getting this project off the ground!

And on top of all this, I'm still auditioning! I'm hoping the spring board I'm building for myself this summer will project me towards some fantastic work in the fall.


Thank you for reading,
Ellen DeSitter
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Film, Play and a Workshop

3/13/2015

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First off, welcome to my new web page! This has been something I've been meaning to do for awhile and I'm very happy to have found some time to get it started. 

2015 has already proved to be busy. It began with the MACE Winter Wonderland Fight Workshop. I had a great time learning new weapons and picking up some amazing skills. Stage combat has always been an interest of mine (I had hand to hand and rapier/ dagger training at MXAT). However, before the MACE workshop, I was having trouble deciding where to start. At some point I would love to be proficient in many forms of stage weaponry, but it was exciting for me to decide which weapons I want to focus on first. By the end of those three days, I knew I was in love with knife work, sword and shield, and whip. I bought my first single sword (since it is a versatile practice weapon for more than one sword) and 6ft whip. I'm currently working out getting some practice knives.
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Sadly, I missed out on getting to take a knife fighting course at Actor's Gym. However, a different fighting opportunity presented itself. The MACE would be holding an SPT Quarterstaff Fighting Course taught by John Tovar! I was told quarterstaff courses don't come around as often as some of the other weapon classes, so I figured I shouldn't miss out. I'm already a couple classes in and loving every minute! Now I need to get my own quarterstaff (isn't that just how it goes?). Still, I hope to be posting videos near the end of the session (in May). (continued under photo)...  
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I got to take a stab at using some of my newly acquired skills sooner than I thought (yes, the horrible pun was intended- I apologize for nothing). I had already started rehearsing for a show at the end of 2014 with Cave Painting Theatre Company. The show was The Tragedy of Lear- a Completely Gender Swapped Production, directed by Gwendolyn Kelly-Masterton. I played the Fool (one of my favorite characters Shakespeare has written). Our director had a very interesting take on the my character. The Fool was to be all in Lear's mind (as the director wanted to emphasize Lear's dementia). This offered an interesting challenge, but a fair amount of freedom when moving about the stage. Unfortunately, the Fool disappears before the end of the play. After this point, I would become an unknown soldier of France and I got to fight with a Quarterstaff in the big battle before Lear and Cordelia are captured. It was a great run and the cast had a fantastic time playing characters that (under traditional circumstances) they normally would not get to play (to see our review from The Edge, click here or check out my production photos page). The production photos themselves will hopefully be available for me to put up soon. In the meantime, here's a behind the scenes - stretch before the show- moment:  (continued under photo)...
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Very recently, I finished yet another Shakespeare course with Susan Hart & Jeffrey Carlson. While I had previously taken their monologue courses, this current one focused on partner scenes. My scene was from Two Gentlemen of Verona. I played Lucetta and my partner, Lauren Knutson, played Julia in the comical 'Letter Scene.' We felt the scene went very well, had a blast doing it, and plan to record it sometime soon (be on the look out!). 

I also just did another photo shoot with the talented photographer Steven Bourelle. His theme was Our Beautiful Solar System. Each person involved chose a different planet (I was too slow to snag Pluto, but was very happy to get Venus). We also had several people choose to be the Sun, a Galaxy far away, and Earth's Moon (played by little River). Check out a few more of the photos from the shoot on my Model Work page. (continued under photo)...
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At this moment, I have two more projects in the works. I have been cast in a film by Ricardo Bouyett called Lionheart. This will be a dark and emotional piece, but certainly beautiful- can't say much more ;) . Check out the promo video on my production photos page or click here. Now, a promo photo of my character- Noa's Mother.  (continued under photo)...
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Lastly, I've also been cast in a new production being put on by Strangeloop Theatre called Thinking Caps. Here is a link to the fb invite.
A bizarre and fun production that takes place in the near future where the internet is dead and telepathy through head sets is the new reality. The show goes up May 8th at 8pm. 

Other than that, my biggest project has been this web page and I still have a ways to go before I'm satisfied. I already have a few scenes in the works to be filmed for reel time as well as waiting on a couple of reels from previous film work. I'll be sure to make announcements for when they are up. But for now, check out some of my voice over work and my clown piece "Better Boss" on my reels and demos page! Thanks to all I've had the pleasure of working with so far.   

Best,
Ellen 
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    Ellen DeSitter

    I'm an actress and have been working in the city of Chicago for the past three years. I have training in Meisner and Stanislavsky among other theatrical techniques. I also have a large amount of training in various forms of movement.   

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