Who is Skyler Ellis?
I’m an actor currently performing in Bell Shakespeare’s production of The Comedy of Errors, travelling all around Australia!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
In the past year, I’ve started studying again – I’m undertaking Psychology and Neuroscience with the aim of focusing on mental health in the arts sector and investigating ways to have a sustainable career in an industry that can be challenging at times! It’s a while away yet, but it’s what I’m energetically aiming towards.
Who inspires you and why?
Everyone that I’m close to inspires me in such unique and powerful ways, and as a collective, they are constantly teaching me how to be a better person for others and myself.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Championing mental health in the arts community and queer community, raising awareness and actively helping.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
A few of my favourite places: Grenada, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Taipei, Taiwan; Yosemite National Park, California; Berlin, Germany. Japan is next on the list!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The Sydney coastline hands down! A beach-crawl up and down the incredible bays and beaches.
What are you currently reading?
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara. Hanya is the author of my all-time favourite novel, A Little Life – this is her latest release.
What are you currently listening to?
Do You F*****g Mind? – a Neuroscience podcast, a lot of Floetry, Luther Vandross and the Renaissance.
Happiness is?
A temporary subjective feeling. It comes, it goes. Striving to get something that you believe will make you ‘achieve’ happiness is a fallacy. Meditation teaches us that feeling an underlying sense of content with wherever you are, whatever you’re feeling and whatever is happening, whether it is immensely joyful or utterly devastating.
What does the future hold for you?
Who knows! I’m learning to let it go, listen to quiet signals, and follow the joy.
Skyler stars as Antipholus of Syracuse in Bell Shakespeare’s production of The Comedy of Errors – which will be presented at the Canberra Theatre Centre (30 September – 8 October), before playing the Darwin Entertainment Centre (19 October), Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs (21 October) and the Theatre Royal, Hobart (26 – 29 October). For more information, visit: www.bellshakespeare.com.au for details.
Image: Skyler Ellis (supplied)