Biography

Ellen O’Connor graduated from the University of Western Australia BA Arts with a double major in English and Cultural Studies and Medieval and Early Modern Studies. With the Department of English and Cultural Studies Ellen looked at both Jacobean and Elizabethan texts and performance through literary and practical studies. She also dealt with subversive, avant-garde and physical performance techniques made popular by theorists such as Meyerhold and Stanislavski.

For Ellandar Productions Ellen assumed the role of Associate Artistic Director from 2011 – 2013, during that time she co-curated the artistic programme of the company. Her first work directing with Ellandar Productions was on ‘A Night of Deceit‘ at the inaugural Western Australian Fringe World Festival in 2012. Ellen also wrote and directed the second runner-up for the Martin Sims Award of Best New Western Australian work in 2013, ‘Pity’ for the Fringe World Festival which was presented in the courtyard of the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia. In her role as Associate AD Ellen directed and performed in the annual Safety House Association theatre-in-education tour and wrote and directed the corporate charity event ‘Convicts For A Cause‘.

In 2014 Ellen stepped down from her role to become an Associate Artist of the company. She played the titular role in ‘The Night Guardian‘ at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art for The Blue Room Summer Nights programme. Ellen has now relocated to London and continues her work with Ellandar Productions, specifically on new developments at White Hart Studios as well as pursuing her own career goals.