Hosted in Drew’s Theatre and Dance Department
September 2024 – Drew University has announced Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated stage and TV artistic director Scott Ellis as its 2024 inaugural Artist-in-Residence.
The residency, generously underwritten by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, will be housed within Drew’s nationally ranked Theatre and Dance Department.
As part of his fall semester residency, Ellis will bring the benefit of his stellar theatre and television career to campus, collaborating closely with Drew’s Theatre & Dance faculty to interact with undergraduate students. His activities will include leading masterclasses for acting and directing students, conducting a workshop for the full department, and meeting students in small and informal sessions.
In addition to his time in the classroom, Ellis will also take part in an open forum, moderated by Drew University Trustee Alison Bevan P’24, with the Drew and local community on Wednesday, October 23. Registration for this event is forthcoming.
Ellis is a veteran of both stage and TV artistic direction and is the Interim Artistic Director of the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City.
Ellis’ Broadway credits include Take Me Out (2022 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play); Tootsie (2019 Tony Award nomination; She Loves Me (2016 Tony Award nomination); Twelve Angry Men (Tony Award nomination); and And the World Goes ‘Round (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards).
His television credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Closer, Weeds (executive producer), 30 Rock (Emmy Award nomination for Best Director), and Modern Family.
Ellis is co-executive producer for the upcoming Amazon Studios series Etoile, from Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino.
This residency is a companion piece to the Drew Forum, of which the Laurie Foundation is a leading underwriter. Over the last 30 years, the foundation has helped bring speakers like Neil deGrasese Tyson, John Oliver, Ron Chernow, and David Axelrod to the Drew community.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Drew to welcome Scott Ellis to our Theatre & Dance Department,” said Drew President Hilary L. Link, PhD. “The arts are so important to Drew’s academic and campus culture, as evidenced by the many years of national recognition for our theatre productions and program. Our students will surely benefit from being able to learn from Scott, ask questions, and make connections.”