Ellen is an Edmonton-based playwright, producer, performer and arts educator. She is the current Festival Director of Nextfest, Edmonton’s annual festival showcasing and support emerging artists. From 2009-2023 Ellen served as the Artistic Associate/ Box Office Manager of Northern Light Theatre. NLT also commissioned and produced the world premiere of Ellen’s play “Everybody Loves Robbie” which was awarded the Gwen Pharis Award for Best New Play by the Alberta Writers Guild in 2020. Ellen is also the Academy Director of the Theatre Network Summer Academy, the Student’s Club Facilitator for the Citadel Theatre, a Sessional Instructor for MacEwan University and a playwrighting and acting teacher with Foote Theatre School at the Citadel. Ellen is a two-time Sterling Award winner for her play “Murielle” co-produced with Blarney Productions and was awarded Edify Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2013. Ellen is thrilled to back on stage after a few years behind the scenes and is eternally grateful for her long relationship of mentorship and learning with the NLT Team.