Well hello acting-mojo how nice of you to barge back to the forefront of everything!

Yes it's true, the actor in me has finally resurfaced with a vengeance and had plenty of fun this year already. Commercials, plays and new-writing projects are happily welcomed back into the fold and I'm loving it. Mind you I always new he'd be back, the need to lie fallow for a while whilst the bouncy young-un in me settled down and stepped aside for the (ahem) slightly more dapper silver fox to arrive was a necessary departure. What's more it gave space for the writer/director in me to gain valuable experience, strike up collaborations and establish himself.

Chapters and seasons. All perfectly natural.

So! What's on the cards now? Well a continuation (and combination) of all the above - which for me is the perfect balance of creative energy. As always the need to nurture my creativity and develop my skills has led me down certain pathways. The beginning of the year saw me taking part in workshops with COMPLICITE and GECKO theatre companies. Both truly excellent experiences and packed with insights to feed both the actor and director within. What's more Simon McBurney's excellent new show THE ENCOUNTER has inspired and infiltrated the new show I'm writing, with it's audio slant playing a large factor. Sadly I had to bow out of GECKO's mini-intensive last month as I was filming a commercial in Madrid, but their new show INSTITUTE was an inspiration and I certainly plan to rejoin at another time if they'll have me back!

February's workshop with the marvelous JAMIE CATTO has also influenced my new show. His work on shadow-self characters were a revelation to me and one I'm keen to dive into more in order to add depth and value to the piece. I've also just returned from the glorious island of Lismore in Scotland, where the SOUNDING AUTHENTIC course (ran by director/facilitator KATH BURLINSON and musician/facilitator MAIRI CAMPBELL) allowed me a safe, supported space to nurture and develop the show in phase one of RnD. Exciting times!

With talks of potential future acting engagements under way I'm buzzing with spring energy and fully open to new opportunities.

Finally, I have a new musical, ,MAELSTROM - LEGENDS OF THE UNDERWORLD in pre-production at present for the fabulous cast at YMTUK, working alongside the uber-talented choreographer DEBORAH GALLOWAY. It premiers at the Lemon Tree Theatre in Aberdeen this August with a 40-strong company of multi-talented artists, and I can't wait.

So, in the spirit of spring and new beginnings - I'd like to open up the channels of collaboration to anyone who'd like to connect (or reconnect) with me as an actor. I'm back, I'm loving it and have a whole new me to offer. Bring it on.. ;)

Ellis
x

 As 2015 comes to a close and the uplifting lure of better things to come washes over my post-christmas fuzz, I find myself on the Universal bandwagon of a one-off reflective blog!

Doubtless it’s been a tough year for many on both personal and Worldly scales with many hardships, happenings and ongoing issues to be carried over and held in our thoughts and hearts to influence our daily actions in 2016. There is an indisputable Wind of Change howling about the globe right now with painful upheavals, brutal reminders, shaky new grounds underfoot and uncertain futures. I’ve certainly had my fair share of personal hurdles this year but the eternal optimist in me can’t help seeing this global energetic ‘reset button’ having been pressed as an opportunity for developing better habits, creating new mindsets and forging new forward-thinking communities. For me personally, I have a lot to be thankful to the year 2015 for and always enjoy celebrating the ‘positive’ with a hearty dollop of gratitude.

Without wanting to bore-on in faux-diary fashion I’d like to acknowledge and honour the events, people and experiences that have enabled me to leave the year with a sense of optimism and positive momentum. So without further ado I’ll crack-on and share it all forward (by no means a definitive list and in no particular order) in the hope that someone out there may in some way benefit from these wonderful things, people, places and institutions onto which I place a lovely big Happy New Year smackeroo. x


DEVOTED AND DISGRUNTLED (D&D, Improbable Theatre Co.)
Each year I look forward heartily to the three day ‘open space’ extravaganza that is D&D. It’s awesome. A creative rockpool of all things theatre-related it’s the mecca we actors, performers, directors, writers, producers, administrators, enthusiasts and the like pilgrimage to each year to bathe in a community of like-minds and revisit the question ‘what are we going to do about theatre?’

Expertly facilitated (in a way you’ll want to adopt for everything you ever do in the future) by Phelim McDermott and the fabulous team at Improbable Theatre Co, you’ll find your feet (literally), have your say and get the chance to explore every facet of this beguiling industry. Some of my closest personal and professional friendships are a direct result of attending this event. I can’t recommend it highly enough. You’ll find your tribe and leave with a sense of refreshed inspiration. This year it’s in Birmingham. Which has great shopping opportunities. And cadbury’s chocolate. Go.

http://www.devotedanddisgruntled.com/about/


KATH BURLINSON & THE AUTHENTIC ARTIST COLLECTIVE
Talking of inspirational D&D friendships, I have to give a massive spoonful of gratitude to a truly fabulous lady. Kath Burlinson is an artistic powerhouse; creating, holding and facilitating the artistry of hundreds of emerging and established artists across every creative medium.

We met at D&D and I invited her to join a workshop of a play I’d written and was directing at Theatre503 (she’s an exquisite actress) From there I was invited to take one of her three day Authentic Artist workshops. I’ve never looked back. A safe-house laboratory, skilfully and mindfully held by her within which an artist can explore, develop and be witnessed - the Authentic Artist community of workshops enables the artist within you to evolve. Through Kath I’ve met my core group of friends and creative colleagues, as well as being introduced to further artistic development through the mastery of Paul Oertel and Nancy Spanier.

She’s a corker dear Kath. Word to the momma.

www.authenticartist.co.uk


GOLDEN EGG ACADEMY
Anyone who’s ever attempted to write a book will know how hard it is. Let alone a children’s book. Months (or in my case - years!) of redrafting, reworking, troubleshooting and editing by yourself takes it’s toll, all the while with the ever-growing doubt your book is actually any good creeping up on you. It’s a lonely process at times. But once again I’ve been lucky enough to find another tribe of like-minds(!!) at The Golden Egg Academy.

A supportive academy for new writers of children’s fiction (established relatively recently by the amazing editor Imogen Cooper) the academy offers workshops and mentoring for successful applicants, guiding authors through the book-writing process until submission ready wherever possible. Dr Vanessa Harbour has been my editor now for over a year and together we have navigated our way from draft to draft having fun along the way. 2016 hopefully holds a draft of my book within it that’s worthy of me being mentored (the next step) and ultimately, submission ready. Fingers crossed!

www.goldeneggacademy.co.uk


JOHN DOE MANAGEMENT
Just over a year ago now I was contacted by the fabulous agency John Doe Management regarding representation for commercials as an actor. Since then I’ve done two commercials and have had plenty of pencils (near-misses!). It appears I have reached the ‘family man’ bracket! I’m excited and eager to get back out there in 2016. Anyone need a businessman? Postman? Dishevelled dad…?

Big thanks to them xx

http://www.johndoemgt.com


SHAMANIC PRACTICE
Personal development and inner/outer health care has always been of great interest to me. Taking care of myself energetically, physically and spiritually is a must or it all goes tits-up quite frankly! Over the years my explorations have introduced a couple of wonderful holistic practitioners who have health, healing and helpfulness at heart. Big thanks to them both :)

http://www.annahunt.com/
http://www.shaman-healer-painter.co.uk/


LEWIS BARFOOT
My dear pal Lewis is someone I’d like to thank for always being an inspiration to me. A testament to walking the walk, Lewis is a true artist …and I want to share her with everyone! Not only is she an fab actress but also a wonderful songstress! (Or Folkalist to be more precise.) Januray 2016 marks the launch of her debut EP Catch Me - which I can recommend with bell’s on. Beautiful and enriching every way.

http://www.lewisbarfoot.com/



ALICE FERNBANK
Another multitalented gal (you’ll notice a theme here!) My good friend Alice has talent in bucketloads. I’m giving my storytelling Goddess and holistic painter (I have two original Fernbanks on my walls!)  a shout out from my south-east london shed where we’ve chomped many a healthy homemade choc and drank coffee whilst putting the world to rights, and hope her recent move to Edinburgh brings all the magic she deserves.

Adorn your walls too: http://alicefernbankstoryteller.com/artist/
Hear her storytelling tales: http://alicefernbankstoryteller.com/about-2/


HAROLD COGGINS
Pilates! Yoga! Exercise that isn’t the gym! …Call me 20 years behind but 2015 marked my discovery of a physical practice that really works for me. Hooray! Finally I’ve managed to sort out my painful shoulder and neck by being tutored by a very skillful man, Harold. The teacher at my local gym (moved elsewhere now I believe *weep weep*) Harold taught me how to connect my body and mind. He has classes all over and is someone I’m grateful to for starting what I know will be a lifelong practice for me now :)

https://www.youtube.com/user/harold4utube (I’ve never used these vids but you’ll see how great he is!)


KATE GOLLEDGE
Director Kate is the Queen of ‘Can’. Yes, she’s my bestie but to be honest she’s the real ying to my yang in many ways. I started 2015 off in style by celebrating her glorious wedding in Tobago last January, then watched her whirlwind her way through the year leaping from project-to-project. Directorial talent with heart. If anyone can bring a group of creative people together it’s Kate. Watch out 2016…! There’s a lot of love for this woman.

www.kategolledge.co.uk


CAT VS CUCUMBER
You’ve all seen it. My fave random vid for 2015. Has anyone got a cat so I can try this out…?
https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostLifestyle/videos/10153291047191314/?theater


YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE UK (YMTUK)
Anyone who knows me will know I love this company. I’ve worked for them for 4 years now writing, devising and directing shows for them and can’t champion them enough. They nurture young artistic talent and give creatives like me a chance to make new work. This year I was able to write and direct my favourite to date, The Midnight Flower Press. Thank you to Jon Bromwich for allowing me to fill a stage with pillow fluff!
Let’s see what 2016 brings.

http://www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/


INTERACT & WEST END IN SCHOOLS
We all know being an actor or creative type is rarely enough to survive on full-time these days. Every successful artist I know relies upon their ability to step outside their field and spread their skillset amongst various other projects that require a creative angle, and make a few bob at the same time. Two companies that have not only supported me in this way but, most importantly, respected and championed the artist in me are Interact and West End In Schools. Big respect to companies like these who keep bread on actors tables! :)

http://www.interact.eu.com/index.php
http://www.westendinschools.org.uk/


SCENE & HEARD
Right at the end of my year I managed to get involved in one of my favourite projects to date. Scene & Heard are a charity that work with children, helping them learn the playwriting process and result in the most marvellous, uplifting and profound plays ever written! I was lucky enough to play One-Beat the crotchet, lost on a desert island. Written by a truly talented 10 year old. Joy.

I heartily recommend you all supporting this wonderful company however you can. And above all - go see their work!

https://www.sceneandheard.org/


So these are a few choice statements of gratitude, out there for you all to see and peruse at will. Other highlights of my 2015 include:


Taking part in the ENO weekend lab workshop at the Barbican theatre with Deborah Warner.
http://www.barbican.org.uk/education/professional-development/weekend-labs

Monthly play-reading sessions with Glyn Maxwell - wind n willows being the best to date complete with champers, blankets and a living room picnic!
http://glynmaxwell.com/ (Read his book ‘on poetry’ - amazing!)

Touring China for 10 weeks with the Twelve Tenors. Singing on massive stages with a blinding group of geezers! :) Thank you Spirit Productions.

Gratitude and love for spending time with my lovely Arvid and family.

Watching amazing theatre productions, tv series and films (Too many to mention!) Thank you to these artists and producers for keeping this industry alive.


What do I hope for myself in 2016?

Well the actor in me has resurfaced big time, so I’d like a theatre agent to support and work alongside and establish a new chapter in my career.
I’d like to get my kids book finished and submitted.
I’d like to work with wonderful like minds on wonderful projects.
I’m open to seeing new countries.
Meeting new people  
Making new memories and experiences to blather on about at the end of 2016!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Ellis
x

 …and suddenly – Ellis wrote a blog!





Today is an apt day to officially jump into the blog world. I’m trying out a new exercise (daily practice, bit of fun - whatever you want to call it) where:

-       I announce “…and suddenly, Ellis…”
-       Then add an activity like “…baked a cake.”
-       Then most importantly - do it.

So far I’ve suddenly gone to the gym, bought the ingredients for a veggie omelette, nipped into three charity shops, bought a retro book cabinet, eaten a ‘rose and lemon cake’, bought a (winning?) Eurolottery ticket and started this blog. It’s fun, try it, you get quite a lot done. Some of it rather random, granted.

It’s a teeny lie though to pretend that this blog was completely unplanned. About a week ago the beautifully talented, YA writer VASHTI HARDY approached me to ask if I’d take part in the Writers Process Blog Tour and I jumped at the chance. Sharing my writing process feels like a great way to reconnect with it personally too, so thanks Vashti.
Read her blog entry here: http://vashtihardy.wordpress.com

Right, lets get on with it!

What am I working on?

At the moment I’m focusing on two main projects; a series of educational e-books and a children’s novel. I’m utterly in love with both of them.

Anyone who has ever met, worked or shared a long car journey with me will know I LOVE playing games. What better way is there to pass the time than a frantic round of the ‘yes/no’ game? The Teacher Toolbox Series is a series of educational e-books for Primary School teachers inspiring creative teaching through the use of drama games. I’ve written them in partnership with West End in Schools. It not only gives me a chance to collate all the games and exercises I’ve learned, written and adapted over eighteen years of drama teaching but also gives me an opportunity to spread the joy, help facilitate creativity in classrooms and hopefully engage a few imaginations in the process.

It’s an ongoing project with the first book Physical & Vocal Warm Ups for Reception available on amazon now at the special-offer price of only £1.53. (Baaaargain!)

(Ahem.) Enough plugging. More information on the Teacher Toolbox Series coming soon.

My other project is my debut novel Little Lord Paul of Heritage Hall, a middle grade chapter book for children 8-11yrs. I’m lucky enough to be working under the watchful eye of my fab editor/mentor Dr Vanessa Harbour from the Golden Egg Academy run by the wonderful Imogen Cooper.

I love this book. I am Paul, basically. It’s been a wildly exciting opportunity for me to live out my alternative fantasy childhood. (more below)


Coming soon to my ‘to do’ list is a new musical inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I’m writing, devising and directing the show (alongside a passionate creative team) for the hugely talented performers at Youth Music Theatre UK

I have other projects bubbling away of course. As an actor and director I’m at the mercy of numerous creative projects pushing their way to the front of my brain demanding immediate attention like children, wanting to tell me what they did over the holidays. I find my creative ideas to be the most unruly of pupils.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

In some ways it doesn’t. I’ve always enjoyed reading books that feel instantly accessible, old-school or worn-in. Heritage Hall doesn’t try to stand out or differ but I believe its uniqueness lies in the combination of retro meets contemporary fantasy. (I’m clueless about correct industry terminology by the way so don’t quote me unless you’re happy to be contradicted.) I like to imagine Heritage Hall snuggly nestling in amongst other books of its genre like best friends. A comfy, borrowed jumper that you have no intention of giving back.

Little Lord Paul of Heritage Hall takes place in the real world, but for its hero, Paul, it’s total fantasy. Far from happy with his current home life, he finds himself whisked away into a tumble-down world where he can truly be himself. It’s a fun place with bonkers characters, unexpected friends, dangerous enemies and challenges at every turn. And it’s secret. Somewhere he can escape too.

Why do I write what I do?

I’m a big child. As I mentioned before I love playing games and Little Lord Paul of Heritage Hall is me living out an alternative fantasy childhood. It’s also an opportunity for me to indulge my passion for old buildings and objects. I can’t get enough. For me the inspiration I feel when exploring historical buildings or surrounding myself with fascinating objects never fades. It became quite apparent I’d never be able to afford my own mansion house in the country so I thought I’d create my own and have adventures in that instead!

I might actually have one though. A mansion in the country that is. Wales to be exact. The stimuli for the story came from my own family history. My grandfather never knew his father and was brought up by his grandmother pretending to be his mother. His real mother pretended to be his sister. Apparently his father was from ‘higher stock’ and his birth was all a bit hush hush. I’m the last male in my bloodline (to my knowledge) and if my great grandfather was gentry then technically I could be in line for whatever magnificence was being handed down! It got me thinking – what if I inherit a mansion house someday? My very own Heritage Hall…

How does my writing process work?

I have a writing shed at the bottom of my garden. It’s my (second) most favourite place in the world. (The first being a log cabin in Norway that I visit each year – which is just a bigger version of a shed, really.) In it I keep all my knick-knacks, stimuli objects and books. I feel like Dahl.

For Heritage Hall I covered the walls with pictures of manor houses, grand staircases, tumble down castles, suits of armour, interesting people and stuffed animals. Having a writing shed enables me to really immerse myself in the world of the book. I scour car-boots and charity shops for interesting objects to inspire me and put them in a cubbyhole to stare at. I sit, rocking precariously on my chair legs listening to birds and biting my pen. It’s amazing in there.

My writing process varies quite a bit depending on the project. If I’m writing theatre then I draw upon my acting background and feel my way through the action. I play out each character and situation. For musicals or stylized plays I use a technique I call freeforming which is a little like improvisation. The result is more poetic and lends itself to song lyrics and poetic verse.

For children’s books I let myself loose in my own head and run rampage! I’m highly visual, seeing everything first. This is useful for imagery and description. Writing for me is like an enormous playground. I love creating worlds to set my characters free in and see what trouble they get themselves into.

Once I have a concept that excites me then I write it. All of it. Letting it go where it needs to and meeting whoever turns up. I need peace and quiet at first but once I’m in the thick of it I can write anywhere. I love writing in inspiration places – especially fancy libraries. I even traveled to Budapest to work in one. For me it’s important to have fun, both whilst physically writing and whilst being the character. If I’m not having fun then something is wrong and odds are whatever is happening in the book isn’t working and I back-up and go another route.

When the whole thing is written I put my theatre director head on and set to work orchestrating the piece. I look at dramatic structure, character development, story and focus. I get the chance to be in charge of not only the acting but also the set design, lighting, casting – everything! Tweaking and editing the book is like a rehearsal room to me, where the piece gets shaped, tested and reworked until suddenly... yes! It feels right.

My writing process is certainly not set in stone, but as long as I feel like a wizard in a lab swizzling my swizzle-stick then I’m generally happy, and when I’m happy I find I'm usually more pleased with the results.




…and suddenly… Ellis finished!

There. That’s enough for now I think. Thanks for reading.

Ellis x

 I hereby pass on the Writing Process Blog Tour to these three marvels whose blogs will go live on Monday 21st April. Don’t miss ‘em.

Steven Butler:
Steven Butler is an actor, dancer and trained aerialist, as well as being a Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlisted children's author. He has appeared in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium and was recently in The Tempest alongside Ralph Fiennes. He previously starred as Henry in Horrid Henry Live and Horrid and recently played Peter Pan in Lost Boy The Musical beneath the arches of the Charing Cross Theatre. Steven's The Wrong Pong and The Diary Of Dennis The Menace series are published by Puffin Books. Read Steven's blog at: www.stevenbutlerbooks.com

Rosemary Bird Hawkins:
Rosie has an MA in Writing for Children from Winchester University and has been running creative workshops for children for ten years. She has worked for various publishers as well as freelancing as an editor. She currently lives in Dorset with her husband, cat and two rabbits in a house full of books and instruments. Rosie writes fantasy and dystopian fiction for children and hopes one day to be published. Until then she continues to seek out stories to write and to inspire, while encouraging others to explore their writing abilities. Read Rosie's blog at: http://www.storyseeking.blogspot.co.uk/

Pleased to be taking part in the Writers Process Tour Blog in a few weeks after being passed on the baton by the wonderfully talented YA fiction writer VASHTI HARDY.

Join me for an insight into my writing world exploring inspiration, stimuli, process and the wacky goings-on inside the ol'Ellis brain!

Vashti's blog will go live Monday 7th April and mine Monday 14th April.

SUPER SWIMS 

Category: Physical Warm-Up
Shape: Spread Out

Use their imaginations from the word go with this simple stretching exercise.


Action:
Set Up: This exercise is simply the circling of each body part starting from the head and working downwards through the body. It encourages the children to engage their imaginations from the start of the lesson.

1. Start in ‘neutral stance’. *

2. The Lighthouse (Head) – Drop the chin to the chest and slowly let the head roll around in a circle light a searchlight. (Open the mouth when the head reaches the back to ensure relaxation – not strain.) Rotate the other way.

3. Wings (Shoulders) – Imagine you’re an angel or superhero. Circle the shoulders backwards warming up those wings ready to fly into the sky. Repeat forwards.

4. Super Swims (Arms) – Swim with as many strokes as you can think of…uh oh… Shark! Swim faster!

5. Belly Frog (Torso) – You’ve swallowed a frog that’s jumping about inside trying to get out. Explore forwards, backwards, left and right. Round and round (Tricky but fun!)

6. Hula/Surfer (Hips) – Imagine you’re Hula Hooping, or pretend you’re surfing the waves.

7. The Tightrope (Legs) – Stand on one leg with your arms stretched out to the side for balance. Circle one leg slowly but don’t fall over. Swap legs.

8. Foot Mouse (Feet) – Imagine your toe is a mouse’s nose, make it look around and move in circles both ways.


Helpful Phrases:
“Lets try it in slow motion.”
“How small/big can you make it?”
“Don’t forget to keep breathing.”

Tips:


• Start slowly and build up speed once the body has had time to loosen up a bit to avoid strains.

    *Neutral stance is explained at the back of the book, but it’s standing up straight, feet apart and hands by your sides - no fidgeting.



LESSON SUGGESTIONS
Literacy

• Make up a story using some/all the actions
• Create new actions for the bodyparts and a story to go with them

Numeracy

• Use the repeated actions for counting sequence
• Count in 2’s with double arm swings

Art and Design

• Imagine you have paintbrushes tied to your hands, feet, head etc. What shapes and pictures can you paint?
• Try painting with your feet/mouth for real.

Phy Ed

• Hula championship – Try rotating an imaginary hula hoop on each body part.
• Pretend you are representing the UK in a Hula championship and throw the hoop in the air then catch on other bodyparts.

PSHE & Citizenship

• Promote body awareness & balance
• Explore left/right dexterity and physical disability in others

Science

• What things in nature go round and round?
• What man-made things go round and round and why?

                     Try it out in your classroom today and let me know how you get on.
                                     ENJOY! THANKS FOR POPPING BY :)