Gene Ellis

This issue of the Exchange features Gene Ellis, instructor in communication & theatre and faculty advisor for the Snapper.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: I have my undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman College. I dual majored in English literature and communication. When I started my master’s I chose Marshal University and majored in communications. Currently, I completed all my course work for my Ph. D. from Southern Illinois University. I have been teaching on college campuses for 37 years, the last 22 years here at Millersville.

Q: As a communication professor what is your favorite class to teach? Why?

A: I really enjoy the fundamentals of speech class. You get to work with students on different levels of competence in a subject that all must master to some degree. Communication is fundamental to any profession you enter. You have to be able to “communicate” your thoughts to others to sell that product, create that story or help another. It’s exciting to see the growth of students in that class.

Q: What do you love about Millersville University?

A: The students! What a great group of people. I also am thankful for the academic freedom to express and discuss ideas that not everyone agrees with.

Q: You are the faculty advisor for the Snapper. What were some of your responsibilities?

A: As Snapper advisor, I am responsible for guiding the editors of our paper. I am not responsible for the paper, the students are, but I am like a coach. Every week I sit and critique the paper from layout to story structure. I look at both the positives of that paper and the areas that can be improved. I listen to complaints, solve problems and laugh. I help with story ideas and suggest areas of interest.

Q: Theater seems to be a large part of your life. Can you imagine your life without it?

A: I have always been involved with theater. I started acting in plays in the second grade and have not stopped. It is my creative outlet. I met my wife on stage; during a summer production our director paired us up as a husband and wife team and he has never yelled stop. All my kids have been on stage. And I always seem to be involved in some way.

Q: Tell us about directing the show Hair. What was your favorite part?

A: My favorite part of Hair was teaching the actors the history of the era. We watched films, read books, looked at pictures and tried to bring the era alive in their mind. A lot of the staging was pictures of major events from that decade.

Q: How many shows have you directed? Will you continue to direct?

A: I have directed a lot of shows, about – 200? I just finished directing The Full Monty at Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC) and I am directing Lost in Yonkers in the late spring.

Q: What is your theater background?

A: I was originally going to be an actor. So I have classes in acting, directing, voice, movement, etc. I have directed at all the universities I have worked for. At one time I was on the executive board for the Southwest Theatre Association, president of the Arkansas Theatre Association and regional director for the American College Theatre Association. When I moved to Lancaster, I started doing shows for The Fulton, Theatre of the Seven Sisters and EPAC.

Q: What is your favorite Broadway show?

A: My favorite Broadway show is Sunday in the Park with George.

Q: What was your favorite show to direct?

A: My favorite show to direct was: Ok there are three: To Gillian on her 37 Birthday, Sordid Lives and Hair.

Q: What was the last show in which you were the member of the cast?

A: I was Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at EPAC.

Q: What was your favorite show to perform?

A: My favorite show to perform was Chicago. I played Mr. Hart and sang Mr. Cellophane.

Q: Would you prefer to be on stage performing or be behind the scenes directing?

A: I really enjoy both aspects of theatre. However, if I had to pick, I would prefer to direct. I love the creativity and vision of direction. It is so energizing to see your vision come to life.

Q: Do you direct anywhere else?

A: Yes, I am directing at EPAC and at my church.

Q: Besides Theater, what other hobbies do you have?

A: I love to read. You will always find a book near me. Borders and Barnes & Nobel are my favorite stores. My wife says I could live there. Since I purchase at least two books a week, every year I donate boxes of books to Hershey Public Library book sales.

Q: What are some of your favorites (food, TV shows, movies, colors)?

A: My favorite food – Beef stew and sweet potatoes. Favorite TV Show – M.A.S.H. Favorite Movie – Orson Well’s “Citizen Kane.” Favorite Color – Blue.

Q: Where was your last vacation and was it enjoyable?

A: My wife and I went Cape May and stayed at The Queen Victoria bed and breakfast with friends. It was the most relaxing experience; we shopped, ate, laughed and had no worries – it was great. Now, my favorite vacation spot is the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We go there every summer.

Q: What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people do not know?

A: I grew up in the South and all my family still lives there – so – they joke that you can take the boy out of the South but you can’t take the South out of the boy. I am a major NASCAR fan. I go to at least two major races a season and follow my driver. I am also a hockey fan and go see the Hershey Bears as often as I can.

Q: Is there any other information that would be useful for the article?

A: I have been married to Barbara for 36 years. We have three children and soon, (my daughter is expecting her third girl in February) will have six granddaughters. My wife and I are both deacons in our church, Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren.