ABOUT

ELLIE (SAG/AEA) is a Pittsburgh and NYC-based actor, casting director, theatre producer, and Co-Founding Artistic Director of Making Our Space Theatre Co. (MOS).

ACTOR + PRODUCER

Her work spans regional and indie theatre, Off- and Off-Off-Broadway, commercials, voiceover, and independent film. She studied theatre at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is a graduate of the Terry Knickerbocker Studio Conservatory.

MOS’s acclaimed inaugural production Kin at The Chain Theatre, directed by Spencer Whale, was hailed by Theatrely as “an auspicious debut,” with Ellie praised for both her comedic instinct and emotional precision. She also served as a lead producer and casting coordinator on the production.

Additional producing credits include the sold-out runs of This Is Not About 9/11 by Sarah Van Auken at the Philadelphia SoLow Festival and its subsequent NYC premiere at NuBox Theater.

CASTING

I am drawn to work that feels fully inhabited—actors who listen, think, and let something unfold.

My taste leans naturalistic—human. I'm less interested in polish than in presence, in finding actors who bring texture, specificity, and interior life. And I'm always chasing the moment before—when something quietly breaks open.

My foundation in theatre gives me range. I'm equally excited by work that demands theatricality—projects that are heightened, stylized, or tonally precise. Dark comedies, heightened realities, and genre-driven storytelling are all very much in my wheelhouse. But whether naturalistic or elevated, my focus remains the same: performances that feel alive, intentional, and deeply felt.

At the core of my casting process is connection—between actors, and across experience levels. I am deeply committed to bridging the gap between rising artists and seasoned professionals. I believe this balance is essential to pushing the industry forward—making space for new voices to emerge while challenging the tendency to rely on the same established names. My work lives at that intersection, where the work itself benefits from this exchange.

PROCESS

As an actor myself, I understand how rare it is to feel truly seen in a room—and how vulnerable that experience can be. I approach casting not as a gatekeeper, but as a collaborator, building environments that are warm, supportive, and rooted in trust.

I am known for creating spaces where actors feel encouraged to take risks, to explore, and to be valued for their work regardless of the outcome.

“I mean this 100%, you are the most genuine, considerate casting director I have ever met. Thanks so much for your communication and kindness in the process.”
— Stephen Lamar Lewis, Actor

Casting is ultimately about people—energy, alignment, and shared intention. I prioritize kindness, curiosity, and generosity, and foster rooms where artists show up for one another and where collaboration extends beyond a single project. I'm drawn to filmmakers who share that ethos—who see actors as collaborators, not tools, and who are open to being changed by the work.

My work includes We Know It Was You, directed by Delaney Flanagan, an official selection of the New York Comedy Film Festival, Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, and Beverly Hills Film Festival.

I also served as Casting Director for Two Waiters, directed by Gregory Gotham Smith, featuring Connie Shi and Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright and actor Stephen Adly Guirgis.

I work as a freelance Casting Assistant with Nancy Mosser Casting and just completed casting for The Crown, directed by JD Ferdinand at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema.

ETHOS

SELECTED WORK

With filmmaker JD Ferdinand post in-person callbacks for The Crown at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema

Outside of her work, Ellie is a travel enthusiast, devoted plant and dog mom, political podcast obsessive, and true crime junkie.