Hello, I'm Ellie — a facilitator, performer and creative, and the person behind...

For over 15 years, I've been creating things with, for and alongside people of all ages. I've worked across theatres, schools, festivals, libraries, heritage sites, healthcare settings and community spaces — sometimes as a performer, sometimes as a facilitator, director, storyteller, artist, singer or organiser, and often as a curious mixture of several at once!

My background is in theatre, and I sing, perform, write, illustrate, tell stories, make plays and design participatory experiences. I'm particularly interested in the places where these different forms meet — and in how atmosphere, storytelling and the way we invite people into an experience can change how it feels.

At the heart of my work is a belief imagination and play are for all ages-given the right invitation, a little time and permission to be curious.

That's what connects the different strands of my work, however different they might look on the surface.

Imaginellie

ELLIE SCAnLAN

Creating Imaginative Experiences for Curious Minds and Playful Hearts.

explore my past work

Drama, Storymaking & Creative Workshops

I design and facilitate playful, participatory drama experiences — from Make a Play projects and my imagination-led storymaking workshop Fragments from the Imaginarium, to workshops in acting, voice acting, clowning, improvisation, devising, playwriting, directing and Shakespeare.

I’ve worked as a Youth Theatre Director and also offer 1:1 coaching for actors, supporting auditions, self-tapes and performance development.

My approach centres on play, curiosity, experimentation and empowerment, adapting each experience around the people in the room.

Theatre Making & Performing

I’ve directed devised and scripted theatre with young people and community groups, including as Youth Theatre Director at Omnibus Theatre and for National Theatre Connections at Kiln Theatre.

More recently, I’ve directed Roots & Reflections, a youth theatre project with The Roses Theatre, Gloucestershire Archives and Gloucestershire Libraries, and an intergenerational theatre project with Malvern Spa Association.

I’ve created and performed work at Edinburgh Fringe, Camden Fringe, Malvern Feast, Not Quite Light and Croydonites, alongside immersive and site-responsive performance with companies including Les Enfants Terribles and Gingerline.

Theatre continues to influence how I think about storytelling, atmosphere and audience experience across my wider creative practice.

Festival & Event Management

I've produced and managed live events across festivals, theatres and community settings, with roles including Co-Producer of The Unfinished Things Festival, Venue Manager for Ledbury Poetry Festival and Shakespeare Schools Festival, and Stage Manager at Croydonites Festival.

Engagement & Participation

My engagement work focuses on creating meaningful and accessible ways for people to take part in arts, culture and heritage.

As Volunteer Coordinator for Creative Pathways, I worked with cultural organisations to create accessible volunteer opportunities, develop pathways into the creative industries and reduce barriers to participation.

I founded Young Reviewers in the Shire, giving young people supported opportunities to experience and review cultural events, and worked as Schools Outreach Officer for Shakespeare Schools Foundation, building relationships with schools and widening access to creative opportunities.

Education &Learning

I’ve worked across nurseries, primary and secondary schools, colleges, designing and delivering creative learning experiences for children, young people and adult learners.

My roles have included visiting drama lecturer, guest speaker, LAMDA teacher, drama teacher, school play director, curriculum and workshop designer, student mentor, SEN teaching support, and theatre-in-education facilitator.

Alongside live delivery, I co-designed an English learning curriculum and creative content for a digital education app (Langlo), and have created learning resources in drama, poetry and creative writing for home-educated children and families.