Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alex Ellis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve been really lucky to be in some amazing creative bubbles with lots of different people! The longer I’ve lived in Los Angeles, the more I’ve come to realize that you have to create the thing you want for yourself. Waiting for the phone to ring in a little BIG town, full of others trying to find their dream, will kill your soul. Two really amazing projects I’ve worked on from the ground up are the hit Off-Broadway musical, Titanique, that’s playing at the Daryl Roth in NYC! I created and originated the role of Rose DeWitt Bukater. It started here in LA, 7 years ago, and now it’s the Lucille Lortel winner for Best Off- Broadway musical for 2023 (that’s like the Off-Broadway Tony Awards). The second project is a short musical film, that I created, produced, wrote and starred in with my co-star, hip hop legend, Petey Pablo called WHO AM I? We met in passing at a Snoop Dogg concert back in 2019. We linked up on social media and I pitched him my idea for this zany, musical short film and he was on board. The film is about normalizing mental health and demystifying the stigma around attending therapy. Petey attends his first therapy session to unpack his past and a hypnosis, musical “Freak-a-Leek” fever dream ensues! Normalizing mental health is so important to me. We’ve been so fortunate to be accepted into multiple film festivals this year and are coming home to LA to be apart of the Film Fest LA Festival and the LA Women in Film Festival in early 2024.

Alex, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello Rebel Canvas! My name is Alex Ellis and I am a multi-hyphenate artist. I am a singer, actor, writer, producer, director, voice over artist…you name it, I’m spinning plates. I’m originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I was bit by the theater bug at a very early age, doing local theater and my first national commercial when I was 7 years old. It was game ON after that. I graduated from Elon University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Upon graduation, I toured the country as Millie Dillmount in the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. After almost a decade in NYC, and multiple Broadway shows later, I moved out to Los Angeles. Since being out west, I’ve found myself involved in many amazing projects. I’ve also learned so much about other avenues in the business, that I like to think I’m a one stop shop creative! For starters, I front an amazing 12-piece Yacht Rock tribute band called Harbor Party! We play all over town and we’re a damn good time! I also love comedy. Comedy is definitely my lane. I’ve been described as a young Carol Burnett. I also do lots of voice over work, mainly animation, for networks like Disney and Nickelodeon. As a writer/director/producer, I like to write my own content like short films, web series and sketches that get featured in film festivals. While I love being in front of the camera and onstage, I also love being on the other side of the table as well. I love creating from the ground up. I love witnessing a thought becoming something tangible. I love collaboration. I’ve worked with teams of people from all walks of life; each group unique, challenging, and capable of creating something remarkable. From experienced to first timers, all female teams and industry legends, I love creating a safe space for self-expression. I think what sets me apart from others is my follow through, my word, my attention to detail and hitting deadlines and goals. I also love being a team player. Growing up playing highly competitive soccer, I metaphorically know how to “pass the ball”, and I thoroughly enjoy setting everyone up for success on a project. I am most proud of my endurance and the relationships I’ve made and kept in this industry. It’s all about who you know and how you treat people. Kindness is free and Thank You goes a long way. I’m also so proud to tell stories that normalize grief, anxiety, depression and individual growth. I love connecting story telling with humor, honesty, good music, wit and shedding light on those hard to discuss topics. I’d love for anyone reading this to know that there are people, like me, out here that want to help heal the collective through story telling. There’s also enough room for EVERYONE to succeed. I’m ready to not see the same 10 people playing all the roles. And while I fully support the right person for the job, I am eager to see more powerful women in leadership positions in the industry (directing, show running, producing). There is so much talent and so many magical humans hungry for a seat at the table, and I want to provide that platform for their art. I’m ready to think outside the box, and I try to bring that to every table to sit at.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

What’s the first thing we do when shit hits the fan in our lives? When we’re deep in grief? When our lives have been flipped upside down? When there aren’t even words to use? We turn to art. We turn to music, poetry, painting, visuals ,storytelling, comedy, distraction etc. I think society tends to forget that without artists, you have no respite. You have no outlet. You have no safe space to get lost in, or take a time out in. The creative ecosystem needs all the love and support it can get! Plus, there are SO MANY TALENTED PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE SEEN! There is so much untapped talent and self-expression just waiting to help heal society. The world NEEDS artists to help balance the shadows we are constantly navigating. Donate. Produce. Get involved. We all have an inner artist waiting to be called on. Support the Arts. Period. We’d be the walking dead without it.

(PS- I’m in a RAD production of Scissorhands the Musical (think Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, meets an iconic catalogue of rock hits music spanning 30 years…in a bar! We run November- January! Come join in on the fun and support the arts! https://feverup.com/m/139293 )

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thealexellis.com
• Instagram: @aellis3

Image Credits
Justin Patterson (blue outfit), Anna Ty Bergman (headshots- yellow and pink shirts), London Alexander (solo singing shot), Kat Hennessey (band on boat photo)