“It’s actually my first time traveling to Scotland at all, but I have quite a bit of Scottish ancestry (I’m apparently very distantly related to Mary, Queen of Scots?!?!) which makes this experience even more meaningful and exciting.”
WHO: Ellie Brelis
WHAT: “When you’re eight, monsters live under your bed. Ellie’s live in her head, threatening to harm her sister and taunting the imminent death of her parents. After her monster was diagnosed as OCD, the life in threat became hers. It’s 2020: Ellie can’t drive, she can’t eat pizza, she decidedly can’t keep a boyfriend… but the one thing she can do is find humour in the horror. Buckle up for a shockingly funny and twisted ride through a young woman’s epic breakup, major breakdown, coming out, and – just possibly – learning how to drive.”
WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Theatre 3 (Venue 53)
WHEN: 15:10 (45 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes, this will be my first time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! It’s actually my first time traveling to Scotland at all, but I have quite a bit of Scottish ancestry (I’m apparently very distantly related to Mary, Queen of Scots?!?!) which makes this experience even more meaningful and exciting. As a theatre lover, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s legendary and it’s a dream to be able to bring DRIVER’S SEAT: OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISASTER to the festival. I am prepared to be overwhelmed by the Royal Mile, but I can’t wait to share my show, meet with other artists, and explore Edinburgh!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
This is a fabulous question, and the short answer is: I learned a lot, which I share in my show! So without giving too much of it away… I’d say that 2023 taught me things rarely go according to plan. Healing often hurts, but it should not necessarily cause harm. I experienced a lot of loss and witnessed a lot of suffering and it reminded me: while we all live in the same world, we operate in very different realities based on the resources we have available to us. 2023 also encouraged me to reexamine how I approach things. To look at the function of an action, over the form. If I’m doing something because it brings me closer to my values, great. If I’m doing something simply so it is “right” or “perfect” or is what I “should” be doing, then I probably need to take a step back and examine what’s really motivating my action and if it is adding anything to my life.
I also would say that 2023 reminded me nothing is binary (including myself!). There is always so much more to any one given experience, thing, being. Growing up in the States, I was socialized and conditioned to hustle hard and never let a moment pass you by… However, last year I realized I had missed most of the meaningful moments in my life because I was rushing through them trying to do everything the “right” way. So I’ve been working on challenging my sense of urgency to understand what is really a priority in my life. I do not want to waste my time, but I do want to take it. I don’t want to speed through, hustle through, amazing moments and experiences (like Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and feel like “thank goodness that’s over!” I want to challenge myself and make the most of the opportunity, but for me, that also means enjoying myself and practicing compassion.
TLDR; I’m never going to feel ready. Anything I really care about will never feel “done.” There is always more I could have done, more I could have prepared for… and there’s also always more out there. More opportunities after one on to the next. It’s scary… but also freeing.
Tell us about your show.
I wrote Driver’s Seat because it felt necessary. During my recovery, I searched for representations of OCD and mental health treatment that resonated with my experience and found absolutely nothing. In 2022, the opportunity was presented to perform it at the NY Frigid Festival. I performed in a literal basement with no expectations except to share my story. The show ended up winning four awards, including the Audience Choice Award, and that’s when it felt really important to share with a wider audience.
I was introduced to a theatre producer in LA, Misha Riley, and did a 5-week run in Los Angeles in the fall of 2022. He brought on a new director, Emily Mikolitch, as well as my stage manager/associate producer Roella Dellosa. We immediately connected as people and as collaborators, and it has been a joy reuniting to take the show to Edinburgh. I am beyond grateful for Misha, Emily, and Roella’s fierce friendship, incredible insight, and incomparable compassion and creativity.
After Edinburgh we have an engagement booked at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse in Massachusetts in summer 2025, and we would love to tour theatrically to continue sharing the piece with new audiences.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
We are also always looking for recommendations on shows to see, but here are a few we definitely have our eyes on!
Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me But Banjo’s Saved My Life by Keith Alessi (Directed by Erika Conway) This is a show I learned about the Frigid Festival and it is moving, funny, and crafted by some of the most compassionate creators I’ve had the privilege to meet! Erika and Keith have been SO helpful and supportive as we navigate our first time at Fringe and you should definitely check out this moving, funny, and true story!
Stamptown: one of our Director’s picks. You’ll never know what you’re going to get each night, but it’s certain you’re in for a wild, raucous, hilarious ride. (Bonus: Host Zach Zucker is also a great human)
Other shows we are on the lookout for:
– Let’s Tidy Up: Josh Thomas
– F*GHAG: Dylan Mulvaney
– Don’t Kill Yourself Yet: Kenice Mobley
– What If They Ate The Baby?: Xhloe and Natasha
– I Sell Windows: Kacie Rogers
– Love is Blind: An Improvised Musical
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