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Ellicia Elliott (she/her) is a multi-hyphenated theatre artist and educator. She holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Idaho, as well as an MA in Theatre Production and a BA in Language Arts and Theatre Arts Education, both from Central Washington University. She founded Eastern Washington's premier Shakespeare theatre company, The Rude Mechanicals, in 2014 and served as its Artistic Director from 2014-2024. Her most recent work includes writing theatre reviews and opinion pieces for publications such as Tumbleweird, providing dramaturgical work and interviews on multiple Shakespeare and history podcasts, and serving as dramaturg and directing consultant for Lauren Gunderson's A Room in the Castle. Her work also includes serving as 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 of new works and Shakespeare-inspired pieces focusing on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Ellicia is a proud member of artEquity and the Educational Theatre Association (EDTA). Her newest role in theatre education is adjudicator/respondent for organizations such as EDTA and the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). Ellicia is a Board member of the Washington State Thespians and serves as Vice President for ArtsEd Washington. 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, Amy Wheeler, and Austin Tichenor, and well as with organizations such as Cornerstone Theater Company, Shakespeare's Globe, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Recognitions for her work include the City of Richland STAR (Supporting the Arts in Richland) Award (2022), Directors Lab West (2020), 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