ELLEN ANCUI
Director/Writer/Producer

Ellen is a screenwriter and director/producer for TV, film, theater and podcasts. Her special sauce, “traumadies,” is a mix of Catskills schtick blended with a feminist edge, featuring strong female protagonists who dig their own graves, but rebel as they climb their way. Raised on Long Island, Ellen’s Catholic, Sicilian mom converted for her German, Jewish dad, but would sneak ham sandwiches to the kids in the garage, so it’s no wonder Ellen loves storytelling and food. Ellen supported herself in NYC as a private chef and cooked for Oscar-winning writer Horton Foote and other luminaries of the stage. Ellen also founded a theater, SOLO ARTS GROUP, and gave the original Upright Citizens Brigade (Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Matt Besser & Ian Roberts) their first home. Ellen move to LA after the success of two one-woman shows, ZEL REBELS! THE STORY OF A WOMAN IN A (1) MAN SHOW (Public Fringe) and JUMPING OFF THE FRIDGE (HBO Workspace). She was a staffed writer on the sitcom, MALCOLM & EDDIE and her play GLORY PIE was sold-out at the Coronet Theater with rave reviews from Variety. Other professional credits include: BROWN & FRIENDS (Netflix), BONNIE SCREWS UP (podcast), SIZZLER (Next Stage Press) and had 2, one-acts at Los Angeles’s Braid Theater. SAVERIO is Ellen’s directorial debut and she is currently developing the feature version to direct as well.

Follow Ellen on all socials @ellenancui