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About Me

Originally from beautiful Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia, I grew up backpacking and adventuring outdoors. I love to spend my time reading cook books and creating new recipes, drinking tea, and listening 80's power ballads while rollerskating.

I've been told I'm a young feisty Marissa Tomei mixed with

a relentless Emmy Rossum.

I am your ultimate ride-or-die accomplice, your steadfast best friend that makes killer home cooked meals, or a precocious new lawyer on ‘How To Get Away With Murder'--

I'm a ball of energy and ready to play!

A LITTLE ABOUT ME . . .

Acting Resume PDF

Media

Modeling Resume PDF

Commercial Reel

Acting Reel

“Elana is a director’s dream – she is specific, smart, driven, and always working. Her positivity shines through in rehearsal and performance. I look forward to working with her again in the future!”

- Patrick Pearson
Professor at Sam Houston State University / Former Director of Artistic Programming at Ford's Theatre

VOLUNTEER WORK

After traveling and doing theatre in over six countries, I appreciate a fusion between the intimate human experience and the craftsmanship of storytelling. I have written, performed, and taught theatre in Thailand with young children, lead local branches of national theatre movements like The Ghost Light Project, and volunteered with local public high school productions as everything from a makeup designer, playwright, and choreographer, to an assistant director.

I also do private audition coaching with high school and college students. I am always looking for opportunities to give back using the arts.

AWARDS

In 2024 I was nominated for Best Actress in a Play by the Bay Area Broadway World for my portrayal of Imogen in Cymbeline with Berkeley Shakespeare Company directed by none other than Stuart Bousel!

I was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Play by The Bay Area Broadway World for my Cordelia/Fool in King Lear with Berkeley Shakespeare Company's 2023 production!

I received an Irene Ryan Nomination for my role as Madge Owens in JMU's Mainstage production of Picnic. I was also recognized for my work as an assistant director on JMU's Mainstage production of School for Scandal, receiving a Certificate of Merit for Directing from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. I also received a Distinguished Senior Award from the JMU School of Theatre and Dance.

Contact Me

ejhswartz@gmail.com

Acting Resume PDF

Modeling Resume PDF