Professional Actor, Voice Over Artist, Scenario Teaching Artist, Emcee
Currently available for auditions and projects.
- Stella Adler -
"The play is not in the words, it's in you!"
About Me
A Lifetime of Acting
First performance was as Jackie Paper in Puff the Magic Dragon as a child in Southern Florida. Knew then that this was my calling. Graduated with a BA in Theatre at the University of Washington. Was part of The Circle in Square Acting Program in NYC. I have toured and performed in many theatres, schools, and parks in the United States. I am an emcee at Seattle Center and work as a scenerio actor for companies such as the Criminal Justice Training Center, Life Center Northwest, UW Standardized Patient Program, and Effective Arts.
Next Projects
Opening April 12 at West of Lenin - produced by Blue Hour Theatre Group https://www.bluehourtheatre.com/
“The Plague Master General (a bubonic comedy),” is a bitingly funny and cynical look at a kingdom that handles, mishandles, and ignores an impending and obvious catastrophe.
It’s the mid-1300s (give or take) and a deadly plague no one understands is engulfing Europe. Thankfully, they’ve found someone who’s going to cure it. Is he a doctor? A scholar? A debonair hero with charisma and can-do spirit? Absolutely not. But thanks to a powerful baron, a terrifying baroness, and a doctor-priest who couldn’t be bothered, our “hero" now has a life-or-death responsibility for which he is entirely unqualified.
This new dark comedy mashes “The Crucible” with Monty Python to explore the dangers of hubris, apathy, and blind faith in the healing power of leeches.
Subject matter contains graphic bloody themes, foul language, and references to death
Also Appearing in...
"ROLLAWAY"-- Tom McIntire's award-winning queer feature-length screenplay, is having a live reading sponsored by the Shoreline Community College
Department of Film, Theatre and Cinema on April 21 at 3 pm. The event is an informal benefit for Lambert House, the LGBTQIA+ Youth Community Center.
Logline: A violent incident uproots queer Russell's turbulent young East Coast life and lands him in Seattle in the care of his grandmother, Ida.
The event stars Gracia Wesson as Russell, Lori Larsen as Ida, and includes Victor Janusz, Tony Doupé, Robert Lawson, Ellen Dessler Smith
and includes students from the program in the cast as well.
Selected artwork by the artist/screenwriter, including pieces inspired by the script, will be given as door prizes before the reading begins.
Learn about the screenplay on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RollawayScreenplay
Hire Me!
On stage & screen. I am also available for voice over projects, teaching artist, and hosting events. Please see my resumés for the details of my experience and skills.
Current Projects
On "stage":
Will be playing the Baroness and others in Blue Hour Theatre Group's production of The Plague Master General (a bubonic comedy) at West of Lenin April 12-27. https://www.bluehourtheatre.com/
After a successful summer in the parks as Henny Penny in Last Leaf Production's Henny Penny! Still touring during the year at schools. Check out podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/henny-penny/id1478456779?i=1000636365038
Currently available for new projects!
Was nominated for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical in BroadwayWorld.com for Reboot's Theatre Company's Cabaret as Herr Shultz- Theatre Off Jackson April 29 - May 14, 2022! https://reboottheatre.org/cabaret
Was part of a 4 day workshop and presentation of the new musical Here and Their by Jasmine Joshua and Heather Ragusa at the Seattle Rep.
RECENTLY RELEASED PODCASTS:
Tales in the Air PodCasts “The Christmas Epic” (Gabby, Cousin Tilly) https://talesintheair.com/?fbclid=IwAR2e4DoZaNjSiOrgV_D43RlcnM3Ag6-Ry5KfGDbpc2p8_m8ba246LmSQ_78
On Megaphone: A Modern podcast Sunday Showcase - "a cautionary tale Jeff Walker & Mr. B" (Narrator 1)https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/MUTUAL9188504915?selected=MUTUAL5810238647
COMING SOON AUDIO BOOK: (on hold for now)
Ashes of Eternity: Void Jumper by Jeremy C. Spires
NOW AVAILABLE ON AUDIBLE:
The Las Vegas Desert Flower: An Alexandra Merritt Mystery by: Donna Foley Mabry https://www.amazon.com/Las-Vegas-Desert-Flower-Alexandra/dp/B09NZRVY92/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3S2ZYDZQHQ21I&keywords=ellen+dessler+smith&qid=1642534259&sprefix=ellen+dessler+smith%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-2#customerReviews
ONLINE ZOOM PERFORMANCE:
My last Zoom show was The Laundromat (Virtual) by Greg Brisendine
as Shawn with Parley Productions. Check it out here:
OTHER GIGS:
I emceed Movies at the Mural at Seattle Center on Saturdays. And it was a great line up of movies. Will be back in 2024 now on Friday nights starting 7/26! More info at https://seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/movies-at-the-mural
Did a few murder mysteries with Murder for Sale - "Death By Disco"