Ellen Buckley
Ellen Buckley was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. Her childhood love for theater was reignited while attending Orange Coast College when she took a theater class on a whim. With a degree in Art History in the rear view mirror, she switched her major and set out on a new path. She became an active member of the O.C.C. Repertory Theater, which led to auditions for prestigious theater programs across the country.
She earned a B.F.A. from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts and a M.F.A. from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. After graduating, she relocated to Los Angeles and worked steadily in commercials, theater and Stand-up comedy.
Even though she was a working actress, creatively she still felt something was missing so she started writing a one woman show with the Dramaturgy and U.S.C. Professor Eric Trules, who asked the simple question. “Why are you writing this?” He was expecting to hear the usual response from an LA actress. “Oh, to get an agent, to be seen by casting directors etc.” Instead, she answered, “If I don’t write this for me no one else will.” Their collaboration resulted in a very successful solo show, The Jackass Parade, which received a glowing review from Dramalogue Magazine.
Next she collaborated on the writing and performing of Nice Tits… a take on the Vagina Monologues with the Alliance Theater in Burbank. Ellen’s comedic monologue was singled out in the LA Times review and was a performance highlight. Realizing she had focused on writing and performing solo works, she became increasingly interested in writing an ensemble piece. Always with a keen eye and sense of humor she knew that her LA industry life and friends would serve as rich material. The time had come! She set out and wrote her first full-length play, The Narcissist Next Door, which after many drafts and several workshops is premiering at the Fringe!
