Bio

A Chicago native, Elana is thrilled to be living and working in her favorite town! 

It may sound cliché, but Chicago is a most amazing place. A city where passion and compassion keep the arts alive and well... where you can truly be a working artist and arts advocate. Elana is just so proud to call the Windy City her home! 

Residing in the western suburb of Berwyn (Beeeerwwyyyn) with her husband, David, and beagle, Wrigley (named after the gum and not the field), Elana keeps herself very busy. Her closest friends and family can attest to a constant array of new projects and adventures, as well as long hours and lots of laughter. The bottom line... Elana loves what she does.

Whether she's working onstage, in front of the camera, in the studio on a mic, or at an event to raise funds for the arts, Elana could be described as a very active member of Chicago's artistic community. She also likes to garden, (especially if it has anything to do with giant sunflowers... have you seen these?!) loves to read (never finds the time but for some reason always has a new book in her purse) and is anxiously awaiting the newest member of her family who is due to arrive in December of 2011 (yes! it's true!!!) Despite her every growing belly, Elana is still working away... on set for a commercial shoot only yesterday. 

STAGE

Having worked as a professional stage actress and member of Actor's Equity Association since 2001, Elana has been seen in an array of musical and dramatic productions in town, and across the country. (Visit her resume page to learn more!) After touring the country with the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! at the age of eighteen, Elana went back to school to study dramatic performance at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.  Since that time, she's performed on some of the country's largest (and smallest!) stages in a wide array of roles alongside such names as Patti LuPone, George Hearn, Patrick Cassidy and others. Whether it's a Shakespearean drama (she loves those) or an insane murder mystery farce (she loves those too) or even a new musical based on the true story of a woman who married the Eiffel Tower (this was called Erika's Wall), Elana will always be under five feet tall. That's a fact. 

VOICEOVER

A professional voiceover artist (and member of both SAG and AFTRA), Elana has lent her voice to hundreds of commercial campaigns for both radio and television. (Check out her voiceover page to see some of Elana's most recent work!) Most recently, Elana was involved in a huge holiday campaign for Safeway stores and her voice could be heard on tvs and radios across the country (even in Hawaii!) Exclusively represented by Stewart Talent, Elana is grateful to be working with the greatest some of the most amazing ladies she's ever met. If you don't know Joan, Kim, and Sheila... you should. Their information is on the contact page.

ON-CAMERA

Elana loves being on set! Most recently, she's had the opportunity to do some cool work on green screen... and it is so much fun! Conflicts upon request, if ya need them!

BEHIND THE SCENES

Elana can also be found behind the scenes, devoted to creating opportunities for other artists. Actively working to further the growth of burgeoning non-profit theatres, Elana's love of the arts extends beyond performance.

For a year and a half, Elana assumed the role of Associate Director at The Music Theatre Company in Highland Park where she also appeared onstage and remains an Artistic Associate. Working to brand, market, and fundraise for this new Equity company, Elana flexed her development skills and contributed to the creation of a wonderful artistic home located in the heart of her hometown.

Elana now works on a part-time basis as the Manager of Individual Giving and Events at Chicago Children's Theatre, utilizing her event planning skills, understanding of the business, and passion for quality family programming, to actively contribute to the company's growth!