Ellen Coote is an actor, singer, voice artist, and teaching artist from the western plains of Moree, on Gamilaroi Country. A graduate of Actors Centre Australia (2022), Ellen has worked across stage, screen, and audio. She has mostly recently narrated two children’s audiobooks for Bolinda Audio: Can You Teach a Fish to Climb a Tree? by Jane Godwin & Terry Denton, and A Recipe for Magic Potion by Jack Henseleit.
Her stage credits include Hero & Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing (Sport for Jove, 2025) and Clown 1 in The 39 Steps (Blinking Light Theatre, 2024). She has also played Anna in Anna Karenina (dir. Clara Voda) and multiple roles in Pride & Prejudice 2.0 (dir. Adam Cook). In 2023, she toured nationally with Poetry in Action, performing for audiences across Australia while also working on several exciting film projects.
Other notable performances include Celia in As You Like It (dir. Rob Jago), Emma in Kidstakes (dir. Jonathan Mill), Christy in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (dir. Reid McGowan), and Dan Simmonds in The Removalists (dir. Johann Walraven).
Ellen is currently a teaching artist with Shake & Stir Theatre Co in Queensland and a dedicated High School English teacher based between Moree and Sydney.
We sat down with Ellen to chat about her time at ACA, what’s happened since graduation, and advice for those hoping to study acting.
ACA: Why did you choose ACA over other acting schools?
Ellen: I loved the atmosphere of ACA from the minute I stepped foot in the building. I felt confident, comfortable and supported. I felt that I could actually be myself and bring what made me, me into the room.
ACA: What were you doing before ACA?
Ellen: I am from Moree in northern NSW originally! Before studying at ACA I started my teaching degree… then decided to follow my actual dreams -to be an actor. I am now happily a High School teacher and bounce between my teaching and acting career. It keeps me feeling steady.
ACA: How did your time at ACA shape your career and personal growth?
Ellen: ACA set me up for my career. Totally set me up for my career. I walked out of ACA straight into full time acting work because of the guidance of Jenny West and many other tutors. A lot of the work I have done has been through my ACA connections. As an ACA grad I always feel prepared to launch into a project. I am still always freaking nervous and full of doubt (as we all are), but I feel like I can concur anything if I put my skills into it.
ACA: What’s happened since you graduated? Can you share some career highlights or exciting projects?
Ellen: Gosh! I have had a few highlights since graduating. Most recently I was lucky enough to perform with Sport for Jove. I have been obsessed with this company since I was 15 and it was my dream to work for them. Bucket list ticked!! I have also just recorded to children’s audiobooks – so much fun!
ACA: Any advice for someone looking to study acting?
Ellen: My biggest advice for anyone that wants to start acting is to train. Not only will you hone your skills, but you will discover so much about yourself, who YOU are as a person. That was one of the biggest blessings for me.
Thank you, Ellen!
