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Ellicia Elliott (she/her) is the Founding Artistic Director of The Rude Mechanicals, Eastern Washington's premier Shakespeare theatre company, and is currently the Events Editor for Tumbleweird Newspaper. She holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Idaho, an MA in Theatre Production, and a BA in Language Arts and Theatre Arts Education, both from Central Washington University. Her most recent work includes serving as dramaturg and directing consultant for Lauren Gunderson's A Room in the Castle, executive producer for the film This is Their Land, directing Shakespeare's As You Like It and The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse (The Rude Mechanicals), Ada and the Engine by Lauren Gunderson (Walla Walla University), and Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors (Woodward Shakespeare Festival, Fresno). In the Summer of 2020, Ellicia produced Idris Goodwin's FREE PLAY: Open Source Scripts Toward an Antiracist Tomorrow and created an online season for The Rude Mechanicals, available on YouTube, of new works and Shakespeare-inspired pieces focusing on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Elliica is a proud member of artEquity and the Educational Theatre Association (EDTA). Her newest role in theatre education is as an adjudicator/respondent for organizations such as EDTA and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Ellicia is a Board member for the Washington State Thespians and on the Board of Directors for Arts Education Washington (ArtsEdWa). Ellicia has been fortunate enough to work and train with award-winning theatre artists including Bill Rauch, Lauren Gunderson, Larissa FastHorse, Ty Defoe, Leslie Ishii, and with organizations such as Cornerstone Theater Company, Shakespeare's Globe, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Recognitions for her work include Directors Lab West (2020 & 2024), Shakespeare's Globe Directing Studio (2016), artEquity Facilitator Training with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2015), the Teaching Artist Training (TAT) Lab Fellowship with Seattle Rep (2011), The Outstanding Educator award (2014), two Educational Outreach awards (2008, 2012), and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (2008), all from The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, and the Theatre of Puget Sound’s Young Playwright’s Award (2001). Ellicia acknowledges that she lives and works on the traditional lands of the Palouse, Cayuse, Umatilla, Yakama, and Walla Walla Peoples, who have lived here since time immemorial. |
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I have worked with professionals across the country from San Francisco to Chicago to NY. Ellicia Elliott is the real deal. Her artistic vision, education, training, tenacity, creativity, and respect for art and artists is laudable. Elliott continues to attract top regional talent and growing national attention for The Rude Mechanicals Shakespeare Company in Eastern Washington.
- Cynthia Vaughn, Rude Mechanicals company member 2015-2018