Ella is a is a performer and theatre maker from Teesside, North East England. Ella is the Co-founder of Salty Pelican Improv Theatre, producing monthly shows and open mics supporting emerging artists. She recently Directed Auto-Engrain at Edinburgh Fringe 2023. In 2021 she founded Addis Playhouse in Ethiopia, directing and producing two shows with the support of the National Theatre of Ethiopia and their director Manyazewal Endeshaw. Ella trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Ecole Philippe Gaulier. She is a clown, dancer and character actor gigging around the UK.
SALTY PELICAN IMPROV THEATRE
Producer, Director, Performer. 2022 - Current.
Co-founded by Ella Faye Donley and Kip O’sullivan, producing monthly improv shows and open mics, providing a space for up and coming artists to trial and error. Salty Pelican deliver frequent comedy improv workshops.
PEACE BREAD AND LAND
Actor; Tsar Nicholas II. 2023 - 2024.
Written and Directed by Dom Jones. Electric Picnic, Ireland, 2023, and the Underground Piano Bar, Glastonbury Festival, 2024.
THE VENICE INVENTIVE
Actor, Writer, Director, 2023.
Comedy character performance following Rosie, a recruiter from Essex who is trying to hit her target to get on the all expenses paid trip to Venice. Written and Performed by Ella Faye Donley, short character performance performed across the UK including Edinburgh Fringe 2023.
TO BE A BAT
Actor; Luna. 2021.
A queer coming of age story by Ariella Como Stoian and Directed by Susie MacDonald, Produced by Distracte d Rat Theatre. Performed at The Space, London.
AUTO-ENGRAIN
Director, 2021 & 2023.
Written by Helena Collins Oconnor, produced by Bosstress Theatre. Performed at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, Clapham Fringe 2021 and The Pleasance, London, 2021.
“Horrifyingly Accurate” Theatre And Reviews, FIVE STARS
“A Powerhouse” Edinburgh Guids, FOUR STARS
TWO BEHEADED QUEENS
Actor; Anne Boleyn, 2022.
A modern day meeting of the ghosts of Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette. Written by Lauren Waugh and Directed by Juliet Mann and Emily Orme. Performed at The White Bear, London.
A NIGHT OF DRAMA
Actor; Orphan. 2023.
An improvised melodramatic show by Jack and Zoe Comedy, Performed at Edinburgh Fringe 2023.
ADDIS PLAYHOUSE Community Theatre Co. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Director and Producer, Facilitator. 2020 - 2021.
Ella ran workshops for adults, teenagers and children 3 times a week, focusing on non-verbal communication, Augusto Boal’s Games for Actors and Non-Actors, Laban and the efforts, Activism through performance and Meisner technique.
THE RIVER
Actor; Woman
Written by Jezz Butterworth, Directed by Tom Colley, The Old Red Lion (2019).
DRIP, DRIP, DRIP
Performer & Co-Creator
Co-Created with Director Pei-yu Huang. Camden People’s Theatre (2021).
ECOLE PHILIPPE GAULIER
Clown. Final Showing (2023).
