ELLIE PLOURDE
Springfield,NJ
Summary
Experienced and detail-oriented casting professional and producer with a background in theatre and film. Blends an actor's insight with a keen eye for dynamic, authentic storytelling. Passionate about inclusive, process-driven work that champions grounded, compelling performances across mediums. Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Making Our Space Theatre Co., a fiscally sponsored non-profit dedicated to fostering artistic collaboration and expanding opportunities for NYC's creative community. Skilled in assembling diverse, talented casts - from rising voices to established artists - that bring timely and poignant stories to life, even within tight timelines. Adept at building and maintaining industry relationships, talent scouting, organizing creative databases, fundraising, securing sponsorships, and managing production logistics to deliver high-quality productions.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Casting Director
"We Know It Was You" - Delaney Flanagan (Director)
03.2025 - Current
- Collaborated with director to understand their vision, ensuring the most suitable actors were sourced for auditions.
- Examined scripts to understand storyline and needed roles.
- Developed comprehensive character breakdowns to communicate casting requirements clearly to potential candidates and talent representatives.
- Used Breakdown Express to create and post breakdowns, receive and review submissions, create and send sides and host self-tape auditions.
- Nurtured a diverse talent pool by actively seeking actors from personal network and underrepresented backgrounds to support inclusive casting initiatives.
- Utilized social media platforms and personal e-mail outreach effectively in promoting open submissions, reaching a wider pool of potential candidates for various roles.
- Organized and managed 2,000+ submissions and 250+ auditions, efficiently narrowing down candidate pools.
- Enhanced casting efficiency by streamlining audition processes and implementing digital tools for quicker decision making.
- Managed complex scheduling demands, coordinating in-person and Zoom callbacks times while minimizing conflicts or delays with candidates' schedules.
- Coordinated reserving callback space, scheduling talent and spearheading day-of activities.
- Provided constructive feedback to actors during auditions, fostering an environment that encouraged growth and improvement in their craft.
Casting Associate Producer
"Kin" - Making Our Space Theatre Co.
07.2024 - 09.2024
- Helped to develop casting breakdowns for 6 characters optimized for Actors Access, Breakdown Express, and Actor's Equity.
- Organized and conducted Equity Principal Audition complying with Actor's Equity procedures and seeing 100+ auditions.
- Conducted thorough research on potential candidates' backgrounds and previous work experience to inform casting decisions accurately.
- Coordinated logistics and scheduling for self-tapes and callbacks, creating seamless experiences for both candidates and casting team.
- Developed relationships with agents, managers, and industry professionals.
- Enhanced talent pool diversity with targeted outreach and inclusive recruiting practices.
- Utilized social media platforms effectively for promoting open casting calls and attracting new talent.
- Improved casting processes by implementing efficient organizational strategies and communication methods.
- Evaluated 1000+ submissions and 150+ auditions, providing detailed feedback and recommendations for final casting decisions.
- Organized extensive candidate databases to facilitate easy access to information during the casting process.
- Led and participated in meetings with producers, creative team, and production crew to keep production in step with creative vision.
- Developed schedules and deadlines for pre-production and production for timely delivery.
- Remained highly composed and calm in very fast-paced, stressful and constantly changing environments to provide optimal leadership and achieve desired results.
- Developed project budgets and managed production costs.
Lead Producer, Co-Artistic Director & Founder
Making Our Space Theatre Co.
05.2023 - Current
- Co-founded and co-leads a fiscally sponsored theatre company in its 2nd year, committed to platforming underrepresented artists and under-produced works.
- Leads artistic programming, season planning, and strategic vision for the company.
- Produces fully staged productions, readings, showcases, and industry networking events, overseeing budgeting, fundraising, and donor relations, as well as all creative aspects of production.
- Spearheads fundraising initiatives and secures private sponsorships (30K+ secured in less than 1 year) to sustain company operations and productions.
- Manages marketing, social media and digital presence and growth , audience engagement, and community partnerships, including collaborations with local businesses and arts organizations.
- Assists in casting for showcases, readings, and productions, fostering a collaborative and inclusive artistic process.
- Liaises with directors, actors and other creative staff to successfully complete projects.
- Produced and performed in the company's inaugural Off-Off Broadway production, Kin by Bathsheba Doran, at The Chain Theatre, to glowing audience and critical reviews.
Lead Producer & Director
"This Is Not About 9/11"
06.2014 - 01.2015
- Directed and produced the Philadelphia and NYC productions of This Is Not About 9/11, a documentary-style theatre piece exploring the ripple effects of 9/11 on American identity and public grief.
- Oversaw all aspects of production, including casting, creative direction, and rehearsal processes.
- Led fundraising, secured funding and managed production budgets, ensuring financial sustainability for both runs.
- Led marketing and audience outreach efforts, resulting in sold-out performances and strong community engagement.
- Coordinated logistics for multiple venues, adapting the production to different performance spaces while maintaining artistic integrity.
- Developed partnerships with media outlets to amplify the play's impact and reach.
- Facilitated post-show discussions and community conversations to deepen audience engagement with the play's themes.
Freelance Actor
Entertainment Industry
01.1995 - Current
- Trained and working actor for 20 years.
- Extensive training in a BFA conservatory and the Terry Knickerbocker Studio, with a focus in the Meisner Technique, as well as specialized on-camera training with Ted Sluberski and James Calleri, and movement/body work with renowned movement coach, Julia Crockett.
- Theatrical experience in regional and Off-Broadway theatre, as well as Off-Off Broadway, self-producing, large studio film and independent film, national and regional commercials, and voiceover work.
- Theatrical resumé available upon request.
Education
Two-Year Meisner Acting Conservatory -
Terry Knickerbocker Studio
Brooklyn06.2020
Some College (No Degree) - Theater
University of The Arts
Philadelphia, PASkills
- Talent Scouting & Casting Coordination
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Excellent Communication & Organizational Skills
- Proficiency in Breakdown Express, Actors Access, Backstage, Google & Microsoft Suites, Canva, Wix, & iMovie
- Relationship Building
- Budgeting & Financial Management
- Fundraising
- Sponsorship & Donor Relations
- Production Scheduling
- Press Relations
- Community & Industry Partnership Development
- Venue & Production Coordination
- Digital & Social Media Strategy
- Video Editing
- Cultural awareness
Accomplishments
- Secured 12 person cast for murder mystery comedy film We Know It Was You, including notable comedian/actor with 300K+ IG followers & 200K+ TikTok followers.
- Lead produced 3 talent showcases attended by 50+ entertainment industry professionals resulting in signings, auditions, and castings.
- Sold out all performances of both Philadelphia and NYC runs of This Is Not About 9/11.
- Secured 2 fiscal sponsorships for Making Our Space Theatre Co.
- Lead produced Kin at The Chain Theatre: 5 sold-out performances, 70% tickets sales on inaugural production of company, among the top 12 recommended shows on TDF for December 2024, and the top-rated show 'Beyond Broadway' on Show-Score for December 2024.
- Garnered outstanding audience reviews and a glowing critical review of Kin from Theatrely, celebrating the ensemble cast and production value, while also mentioning my own performance.
Affiliations
- SAG-AFTRA
- AEA
Certification
SAG-AFTRA & AEA
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Casting Director
"We Know It Was You" - Delaney Flanagan (Director)
03.2025 - Current
Casting Associate Producer
"Kin" - Making Our Space Theatre Co.
07.2024 - 09.2024
Lead Producer, Co-Artistic Director & Founder
Making Our Space Theatre Co.
05.2023 - Current
Lead Producer & Director
"This Is Not About 9/11"
06.2014 - 01.2015
Freelance Actor
Entertainment Industry
01.1995 - Current
Two-Year Meisner Acting Conservatory -
Terry Knickerbocker Studio
Some College (No Degree) - Theater
University of The Arts
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