Testimonials - A BIG thank you to all my artists

It’s been a hugely glorious time her at Kate Ellis Coaching and a whole bunch of my wonderful artists (and young artists guardians) have offered to reflect with these glorious testimonials.

From Acting School auditions, to getting their first ever agent.. to landing auditions for the new Bruce Springsteen film (with Jeremy Allen White), Mystery Road Origins, the newest offering from THE Phoebe Waller-Bridge, a role beside Florence Pugh and call backs for Heartbreak High season 3, Michael Jackson the Musical and Beetlejuice the musical.

F YEAH (if I do say so myself!).

Thank you to all my artists for offering these musings… and for your joy, bravery and talent. It’s a pleasure working with YOU all.

xxKate

Workshop with Kate Ellis at the Wheeler Centre/ Writers Victoria

Sun 13 October 2024 – 10:00 AM to Sun 13 October 2024 – 4:00 PM

Character Development Through an Actors Lens

Great characters lift off the page and come to life. We empathise, champion and sometimes even despise them; but they always become a part of our daily lives when the writing urges us to invest.

Details

In this workshop, you’ll use an actor’s lens to breathe life into your characters, literally. Drawing from a variety of acting practices, you’ll finish the day with an extensive toolkit for the creation of full-bodied, nuanced characters, learning to capture the vulnerabilities and complexities of individual characters through speech, body language and adjective selection. 

You Will Learn:

• ‘The world of the word’ – finding robust and nuanced ways to describe your characters 

• Stillness and silence – honoring beats and intimacy between characters  

• Empathy – coming to understand and empathise with your characters   

• Full-bodied characters – knowing your characters in a full-bodied way  

• Writing on your feet…literally (a phrasing borrowed from theatre director, Anne Bogart)

• FUN – approaching the written word in a fun, playful, experimental way as to reinvigorate your own body and creativity alongside all those days by the computer. 

About the Tutor:

Kate Ellis is first and foremost an acting coach. Kate has taught actors in Wicked, Rent, Hamilton, Godfather of Harlem, That’s Not Me and Safe Home. She has taught at acting schools such as 16th Street Actors studio as well as the University of Melbourne, TAFTA and schools all over Victoria through initiatives by Drama Victoria and the DET. She has hosted panel discussions for MPavilion, the Victorian Arts Learning Festival and Abbotsford Convent’s Open Spaces. 

Kate's Community Work

Kate facilitates conversation.

Kate is on the board of the Australian Children's Theatre Foundation (ACTF) and on Regional Arts Victoria's (RAV) Creative Learning Program Consultation Panel. Between 2023 and 2024 she has been involved in the Time to Act project, a select group of around 10 expert educators who have an interest and experience in drama approaches to education for sustainability and climate change.  She creates educational programs for the city of Naarm/ Melbourne including those discussions for MPavilion listed on her copmmunity page.

YEAR 12 DRAMA EXAMS & NIDA, VCASS, VCA, WAPPA... ACTING SCHOOL AUDITION HELP

Now is definitely time the time to start thinking about that exciting next journey… your end of year Drama/ Theatre practical exams and studying acting full time at one of the amazing acting schools we have here in Australia.

‘One of Kate’s phenomenal gifts is that she sees the power within everyone, and guides you to find it for yourself so that it is realized and stays with you forever'.

Lucy Fry. Currently starring in Godfather of Harlem on Netflix.

‘Kate’s attention to detail and thorough preparation & research makes working with her so exciting and so insightful. Her passion for her craft and for guiding actors to invite a sense of play into the space is both joyful and inspiring. She creates a safe space to be both playfully curious about the work, and learn new ways to access material without fear’ .

Martha Berhane. Currently starring in Rent .

I have worked with international artists such as Lucy Fry, Aisha Dee, Connor Jessup, Martha Berhane and Shewit Belay; as well as on International programs and with International Production Companies such as ‘The Saddle Club’, ‘Mako: Island of Secrets and Temple Films (Anupam Sharma). I have worked on Australian Features such as ‘Judy and Punch’ and ‘That’s Not Me’. I teach at acting schools such as 16th Street Actors Studio & TAFTA in Melbourne, Australia; and further supports artists and the broader community through my participation in Q and A’s and through government initiatives (with Drama Victoria), such as the Positive Start Program and the Blended Arts Program. I support actors with self tapes daily, as well as call backs; and can be found on set supporting actors and directors while they film. I have trained with the wonderful Miranda Harcourt , am on the board of the Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation, and am a registered teacher who was the Head of Performing Arts for 7 years at a progressive school here in Naarm.

When working with people towards acting school auditions, we research, experiment and workshop their monologues riding the wonderful tension between context and an individual artistic response. Students learn how to take direction for call backs and to keep malleable in the work.

For students moving towards their practical Year 12 exams, I work to support them outside of school hours in their chosen piece as they devise alongside the criteria.

I look forward to working with you!

School Incursions

‘A big thank you! The kids loved it and it was the perfect launch into our production. The others teachers have also all passed on really positive feedback and enjoyed it too. So thank you so much. Particularly for how you adapted it to suit our needs too!’ Grade 5/6 Teacher. Leading Teacher.

Yesterday I had the honour of working with the entire grade 5/6 level leading up to their auditions for their school production of ‘The Jungle Book’.

It was wonderful as always to get an insight into another wonderful school community (this time in the leafy Greensborough) …a beautiful group of hard working and caring teachers, walls adorned with First Nations languages; and a group of excited and enthusiastic young people.

We worked on Dr Seuss’ philosophy (which greatly underpins all my work as an Acting Coach) which is that ‘there is no youier you than you!’ ie cultivating the individual artist; as well as characterisation (including body language, gesture, facial expression and voice); script detective work (so we know what the writer and director is asking us to do) annnnnd confidence.

Thank you Greenhills PS for having me and good luck with the show!

Spotlight - Shewit Belay (currently starring in WICKED)

This incredible human and actor is currently starring in @wickedinoz .

Shewit Belay is open and honest and therefore rumbles with truth. She’s even done it on this here post where she talks to the ‘gripping of the chair’. I for one love this; and I think the world needs it more… from our artists in scene work as much as in real time interactions out in the world.

Transparency. It’s how we connect. Understand. Empathise. It’s information we can make choices around.

A joy to work with you again today Shewit. Thanks for your openness and sense of play. For the joy and laughter, the candour and your strength xx

Some beautiful reflections from Shewit after our first sessions when she was in Hamilton the musical:

'As someone who has had a significant amount of time between formal training and actually working in the industry, Kate’s guidance has been invaluable for me. Her sessions strike the balance between addressing your specific performance needs and her coaching framework. After working with Kate, I felt challenged to expand my craft as an actor, but also well-equipped to engage in scene analysis - something that I have always had difficulty approaching. I look forward to collaborating with Kate in the future'.

@shewit.belay #actor #wickedthemusical #singer #musicaltheatre #actingcoach

WHY TAKE UP COACHING?

Why take up Coaching? 

In America, actors seem keen as to talk to ‘class’ and thank their acting coaches in acceptance speeches. 

Here in Australia, there is a little more reticence…perhaps a feeling that if you need coaching you’re not good enough???

There are many reasons to take up class or coaching, 

Firstly, as eastern martial arts practices would suggest, THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS MASTERY. Ie you can always learn more. Get excited about this prospect. Learning can be fun and it means growth, expansion and experience. You’re truly alive when you’re growing!  

Secondly: 

ACTING IS FUN right? 

Why wouldn’t you want to do it as often as you can? Fun also cultivates a feeling of aliveness…and tops up the tank when other areas of your life might not be as playful, creative, expressive or imaginative. 

Come play! Contact me via my contact tab.

SCHOOL INCURSIONS AND YEAR 12 DRAMA EXAM/ AUDITION TUITION

Kate is available for school incursions leading up to productions, to teach acting skills for the camera or general drama work for wellbeing and fun. She also teaches year 12 students leading up to their exams and auditions for drama schools such as NIDA, VCA and 16th street Actors Studio (full time course).

Kate has a Masters in Education (Melbourne University, High Class Honours) and teaches the next generation of teachers at MGSE (Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Melbourne University). Kate is currently on the board of the Australian Children’s Theatre Foundation and has been invited in 2023 to teach the next generation of Directors at Swinburne University (how to work with actors).

She works as a specialist teacher for the peak body for Drama Education, Drama Victoria. She delivers programs for regional and metro students (and their teachers) so that ALL students have access to Drama, no matter their socio-economic circumstances.

Her work as an Acting Coach for children has seen her running Youth Programs for acting schools such as 16th Street Actors Studio and TAFTA, workshopping and filming self tapes for young actors (8-18 years old) and is recommended by casting agents such as Oh Jackie O and Centrestage.

In 2023 Kate has been invited to write the Education Pack for Victorian Opera and Opera Australia’s Idomineo (alongside the wonderful Tim Ryan), and Galileo (alongside Tim Ryan and Claire Wearne). She will continue this work in 2024.

Kate has been the Head of Drama and a Language & Literature specialist at Australia’s first progressive school Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School.

She use’s contemporary contexts and stimuli pertaining to the world of young people today. She promotes creativity, critical thinking, concept and inquiry-based learning which she believes contributes to a holistic educational and well-being practice.

Her work as an innovative teacher of Language and Literature and Drama was recognised by Victoria’s Independent School’s body in 2018. ISV filmed her teaching practice as part of a project that aims to start conversations with and between teachers regarding their current innovative practices in curriculum and pedagogy. She was also invited to speak at the World Drama Education Congress in Iceland in 2022, the New Zealand Drama Conference 2022 and was a Keynote speaker at the 2023 Victorian Drama Conference.

Kate has designed and taught specialist programs such as ‘The Artistry of Science’ for Victoria’s Arts Learning Festival. Here she facilitated workshops on those fundamental questions that unite the sciences and the arts.

Kate has been a guest director for regional schools such as Alexander Secondary College; taught acting for the camera at TAFTA for secondary schools; and offers private tuition for those students undertaking VCE Drama or the International Baccalaureate program DP Theatre. She also offers tuition to those wanting to audition for acting schools here and across the globe such as NIDA , VCA , and WAAPA.

MARTHA BERHANE SHINES IN RENT THE MUSICAL

Once upon a time I got to coach this incredible artist while she was working on #hamilton . UNBELIEVABLE to see her SHINE as Mimi in @rentmusicalau . GO SEE HER SHE’S AMAZING.

‘Kate’s attention to detail and thorough preparation/research makes working with her so exciting and so insightful. Her passion for her craft and for guiding actors to invite a sense of play into the space is both joyful and inspiring. She creates a safe space to both be playfully curious about the work, and learn new ways to access material without fear’. Martha Berhane

JESSICA GREEN STARING IN SPIN OFF OF THE LIBRARIANS

So thrilled for artists Jessica Green who has been cast in and now filming The Librarians: Next Chapter.

Quoting Deadline: The Librarians: The Next Chapter is a spinoff of the original TV series The Librarians, which followed the adventures of the custodians of a magical repository of the world’s most powerful and dangerous supernatural artifacts. The new series centers on a “Librarian” from the past, who time traveled to the present and now finds himself stuck here. When he returns to his castle, which is now a museum, he inadvertently releases magic across the continent. He is given a new team to help him clean up the mess he made, forming a new team of Librarians.

Green will play Charlie Cornwall, the Guardian. Charlie, having been rejected by the Library to serve as a Guardian – essentially the bodyguard of The Librarian – was at a low point in her life when she got the call to be a “special guardian” on a trial basis. Trained in the military, her dedication and martial art skills are unquestionable. If she can keep the powers that be in line, she can achieve her dream to become a permanent member of the Library.

Jessica and I worked together as actor/coach on Lightning Point and it was such a wonderful reunion, coaching her for The Librarians: Next Chapter leading her into shoot. Can’t wait to see the show!

Red Carpet premiere of RENT

What an incredible privilege to see the likes of such talent at the red carpet, premiere event of Rent the musical.

On at the State Theatre in Naarm/ Melbourne, this production features the amazing Martha Berhane as Mimi … who also happens to be a once client and legend of a human being : )

The whole audience was moved to applaud at the conclusion of almost every song. I hope all artists are so proud.

Joined in this picture (on my right) by teaching artist Claire Wearne, such fun was had. Get all your information and tickets here: https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2024/musical/rent

VCE / ACTING SCHOOL AUDITION NEWS...YAY!

It has been my absolute pleasure to support Year 12 students this year auditioning for acting schools here in Victoria, interstate and overseas. It was a THRILL too when news came through of their CALLBACKS!

Callbacks can be a super fun thing to prepare for too and over the last few weeks each of my wonderful students have spent time with me workshopping many of the various things that might happen in their call back… taking direction with their audition monologues, workshopping with people to create short, original pieces, or just warming up with improvisation.

I have two Year 12 students signed up with me for next year already. Don’t hesitate to get in touch parents and would be acting school candidates if you would like some support : )

KEYNOTE SPEAKING AND WORKSHOP PRESENTING AT THIS YEARS STATE DRAMA CONFERENCE

It was such a pleasure to speak with Toby Wilkins and Hayley Gamble-Curran (lead by the amazing Kelly McConville) at this years state Drama Conference (brought to you by Drama Victoria). Being a keynote was a little bit of a life high too! Hopefully some glimmers provided in amongst the harsh realities of in school drama education figures right now (the topic of our discussion).

I also had the pleasure of presenting a live and streamed workshop with Nick Waxman on our Next Stage Program - a free initiative for government schools that teaches 21st century skills through drama games and processes.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the conference.

AACTA YOUNG STARS NATIONAL YOUTH CASTING CALL IS HERE!

I am delighted to be supporting young actors in their preparation and filming for the AACTA YOUNG STARS NATIONAL YOUTH CASTING CALL.

What is it?

‘The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), in collaboration with Casting Networks® and the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA), have launched a groundbreaking national, youth casting initiative to uncover the next wave of Australia’s brightest acting talent - AACTA Young Stars: National Youth Casting Call. 

AACTA Young Stars aims to identify exceptional, diverse, bright, young screen talent across Australia and provide tangible opportunities to help them realise their dream. Australian residents aged between 13 and 18 years are invited to submit a video showcasing their performance talent for their chance to get in front of some of Australia’s leading Casting Directors. 

Submissions close 5pm AEDT Monday 6 November 2023.’

This is such a wonderful initiative and thrilled for your young artists!

Contact me if you would like some help.

Warmest

Kate

COME PLAY at TAFTA!

We take our passions seriously. But we also act because it's fun, right? Research suggests that the more we play, the deeper connections we make between the learning and our entire bodies. In other words, through play we have a full-bodied experience. This is of course excellent for the field of acting.

Join Kate Ellis for three evenings at TAFTA to find nuance and colour in your audition pieces and work, through experimentation and play. Through Kate’s unique approach to scene work you will open up a multiverse of choices for any one scene, proffer unique auditions and have fun while doing it.

Kate has worked with international artists such as Lucy Fry, Aisha Dee and Connor Jessup as well as on International programs and with International
Production Companies such as ‘The Saddle Club’ and Temple Films (Anupam Sharma). She has worked on Australian Features such as ‘Judy and Punch’ and ‘That’s Not Me’ and with actors in such stage productions as Hamilton. She teaches at acting schools such as 16th Street Actors Studio & TAFTA in Melbourne/Naarm, Australia. She further supports artists and the broader community through her writing, participation in Q and A’s and through government initiatives with Drama Victoria. She recently spoke at the World Drama Education Congress in Iceland.

Idomeneo - Vic Opera and Opera Australia Edupac goes live!

Idomeneo is a most incredible Opera by Mozart. It is on now at the Palais in Naarm/ Melbourne and will have its Sydney season at the Opera House.

It was such a pleasure to work with Tim Ryan (Vic Opera Education Manager) on this wonderful edupac/ resource for all patrons including school audiences.

And go see the opera!

I was at opening night and it was fantastic!

Directed by the amazing Lindy Hume

https://www.victorianopera.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Victorian-Opera-2023-Idomeneo-Education-Resource_FINAL.pdf

Idomeneo EduPac by Kate Ellis (and Tim Ryan)

A thrill to work with the team at PARKS VICTORIA

A thrill for a scruffy Kate like me to work in a corporate setting with humans who are doing great work.

I was invited to work with the team who create content for Parks Victoria, a team with a vested interest in getting people into nature. The content they are creating is emotive, driven by story, land and connection.

It was a pleasure to work with them all!

Miranda Harcourt Masterclass and Auditing opportunities

THRILLED to be auditing Miranda Harcourt 's masterclass at 16th Street Actors Studio.

Miranda has worked with actors like Nicole Kidman and for creators like Peter Jackson. The below is text taken from 16th Street Acting Studios website… secure a position or audition my wonderful actors. FUN!

“(Miranda) is Intuitive, Unique, Amazing”

Nicole Kidman, Academy Award-winning actress and producer

Miranda Harcourt brings her sensational 2-day Masterclass to the Melbourne studio.

A unique opportunity to work intensively with one of the most celebrated film coaches in the business. In her active workshops and with her unique slideshows and case studies she gives you a direct insight into how top actors and directors work on major feature films around the world.

Renowned as a performance-pilot, not only does Miranda support stars at the highest level, but also guides emerging talents into stellar careers.

Her clients have won and been nominated for multiple Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, BAFTAs and AAFTAs, most recently a 2022 Golden Globe win and Best Actress nomination at the 2022 Academy Awards.

Neighbours is back... and auditions are happening!

It’s been wonderful to be working with actors on their auditions for the Neighbours reprise. SO MUCH WORK ON OFFER!

As per the ABC NEWS (link below), ‘We know four cast members are definitely returning: Jackie Woodburne (who has played Susan Kennedy since 1994), Alan Fletcher (aka Dr Karl Kennedy), Ryan Moloney ("Toadie" Rebecchi), and Stefan Dennis (who has played the ruthless businessman Paul Robinson since the show started in 1985)’ .

Casting is done by the wonderful Thea McLeod of McLeod Casting.

Go get em actors!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-19/neighbours-returns-what-do-we-know/101673778

Brisbane - GO SEE HAMILTON!

Last year was quite the work ride ... a very very special time for my career indeed. One unexpected was getting the opportunity to work with Hamilton cast members. Two such incredible actors, Martha Berhane and Shewit Belay have been kind enough to speak to my work when I reached out to them (apparently updating your website is good business practice lol. Please excuse this luddite …and her genuine preference for face to to face interactions).

If you are in Brisbane, Hamilton tours there shortly. Would so recommend seeing actors like Martha and Shewit in action. TALENTED AS F.

'Kate’s attention to detail and thorough preparation/research makes working with her so exciting and so insightful. Her passion for her craft and for guiding actors to invite a sense of play into the space is both joyful and inspiring. She creates a safe space to both be playfully curious about the work, and learn new ways to access material without fear'.

Martha Berhane (photograph by THE Bree Bain).

'As someone who has had a significant amount of time between formal training and actually working in the industry, Kate’s guidance has been invaluable for me. Her sessions strike the balance between addressing your specific performance needs and her coaching framework. After working with Kate, I felt challenged to expand my craft as an actor, but also well-equipped to engage in scene analysis - something that I have always had difficulty approaching. I look forward to collaborating with Kate in the future'.

Shewit Belay (photograph credit tbc).