CURRENT RESIDENCE: Chicago, Illinois
YEAR JOINED ENSEMBLE: 2018
AMERICAN BLUES THEATER CREDITS
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Previous staff roles: Associate Producer (2018-2022); Assistant Producer (2016-2018); Executive Assistant (2014-2016); Assistant to the Producing Artistic Director (2013-2014); Intern (2013)
(UPCOMING) Come Back, Little Sheba – Director
(UPCOMING) It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2025) – Set Dressing & Properties Designer
Director: Ripped Festival, The Room, Blue Ink Festival
Set Dressing & Properties Designer: The Last Wide Open; It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2015–2024) – Jeff Award nomination for Production-midsize; Jeff Award nomination for Short Run Production
Projections Designer: It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2023 – 2024)
Assistant Director: Six Corners; Little Shop of Horrors – Jeff Award nomination for Musical-midsize; The Rainmaker – Jeff Award nomination for Production-midsize
ABOUT ELYSE
Elyse is a director, producer, graphic designer, and occasional set dressing/properties designer. She has been a part of American Blues since 2013, and has been the Associate Artistic Director since 2022. In addition to the upcoming production of Come Back, Little Sheba, her directing credits at American Blues include The Thanksgiving Play (presented as part of The Room reading series); several short plays in past editions of The Ripped Festival; and various staged readings in the annual Blue Ink Festival.
Other favorite directing credits include Other Rockpools at The New Coordinates, the Chicago premiere of If/Then at Brown Paper Box Co., and Blackbird at Blank Theatre Company. Her work as a director and/or assistant director has been seen across Chicago at Raven Theatre, Redtwist Theatre, The New Coordinates, Oracle Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre, Prop Thtr, Commission Theatre, Babes with Blades, and more. She has also taught at Remy Bumppo as part of their “Master Class: Scene Study” program.
Elyse holds a B.A. in English Literature and Theatre from Denison University. Originally from southern Ohio, Elyse now lives in Chicago with her husband and their dog. Soon their family will be welcoming a new addition: a baby boy expected in summer 2025!
FUN FACT
Elyse is a self-trained, amateur textile artist who has designed and stitched many embroidered and cross-stitched pieces, including pet portraits, wedding table numbers, mixed-media commissions, and countless holiday gifts for friends & family.