Setting the Stage for Tomorrow's Stars 700 W. Manlius Street
East Syracuse, NY 13057 Phone: 432-KIDS
East Syracuse, NY 13057 Phone: 432-KIDS
Todd Ellis- Executive Director
Professional Experience
Todd is the Executive Director and Founder of Syracuse Children’s Theatre, which began operations in January of 1999. SCT has grown from 250 students in its first year, to over 800 students in 2011, and nearly 3000 students since inception, including providing programs to at-risk students in the Syracuse City School District and local Boys and Girls Clubs. Through Todd’s leadership, Syracuse Children’s Theatre’s budget has increased 400% from 1999–2012.
Todd was also the co-founder and Producing Director of Syracuse Civic Theatre, which produced professional quality community theatre at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center from 1995 - 2008. In Syracuse Civic Theatre’s fourteen seasons, Todd produced over 100 full-length musical, dramatic, and Shakespearean productions, which have included over 2000 area students participating in leading and chorus roles. SCT’s dramas have been seen by over 50,000 Upstate New York students, in many cases, providing them with their first theatrical experience.
Todd served as personal assistant to Broadway director and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Joshua Logan during his first two years of graduate school at Florida Atlantic University. While also at FAU, Todd twice directed current Broadway star and two-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch.
Todd was Assistant Professor of Theatre at Kentucky Wesleyan College from 1990-94. Todd developed the Classics for the Schools Program, which offered productions such as Romeo and Juliet, All My Sons, The Pirates of Penzance, and Hamlet to over 10,000 students. While at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Todd taught classes in acting, directing, and public speaking as well as directing 12 productions.
Education
Awards and Achievements
Todd is the Executive Director and Founder of Syracuse Children’s Theatre, which began operations in January of 1999. SCT has grown from 250 students in its first year, to over 800 students in 2011, and nearly 3000 students since inception, including providing programs to at-risk students in the Syracuse City School District and local Boys and Girls Clubs. Through Todd’s leadership, Syracuse Children’s Theatre’s budget has increased 400% from 1999–2012.
Todd was also the co-founder and Producing Director of Syracuse Civic Theatre, which produced professional quality community theatre at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center from 1995 - 2008. In Syracuse Civic Theatre’s fourteen seasons, Todd produced over 100 full-length musical, dramatic, and Shakespearean productions, which have included over 2000 area students participating in leading and chorus roles. SCT’s dramas have been seen by over 50,000 Upstate New York students, in many cases, providing them with their first theatrical experience.
Todd served as personal assistant to Broadway director and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Joshua Logan during his first two years of graduate school at Florida Atlantic University. While also at FAU, Todd twice directed current Broadway star and two-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch.
Todd was Assistant Professor of Theatre at Kentucky Wesleyan College from 1990-94. Todd developed the Classics for the Schools Program, which offered productions such as Romeo and Juliet, All My Sons, The Pirates of Penzance, and Hamlet to over 10,000 students. While at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Todd taught classes in acting, directing, and public speaking as well as directing 12 productions.
Education
- Florida Atlantic University – Master of Fine Arts in Directing – December 1987
- Kentucky Wesleyan College – Bachelor of Arts in Speech/Theatre – May 1983 – cum laude
Awards and Achievements
- Salt Academy Award - The Laramie Project – Syracuse Civic Theatre - Best Drama 2004
- Salty Academy Award – Cats – Syracuse Civic Theatre – Best Musical 2005
- Syracuse Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 Award – November 2000
- Oak and Ivy Award – Kentucky Wesleyan College – May 1982
- Outstanding Sophomore Student – Kentucky Wesleyan College – May 1981 Who’s
- Who Among American Colleges and Universities – 1982 & 1983
