Patricia A Elliott - Background on BrightFuse

About Me

I have a background that combines education, sales, the arts, the special events field, and business, having taught at University of Illinois as a graduate student, worked as a professional actor for 15 years in both LA and Chicago, and eventually starting Redmink Productions in 1989 with a partner. I've always been a leader and a creator, wherever I have landed. I have had "side jobs", of course, and even in these had a wonderful experience, because I believe in committing to each and every moment. My "side jobs" have been in training, catering, assisting a powerful mutual funds manager, as a literary manger and literary agent.

I have functioned as the sales person and organizer for over 1000 events a year for the past 19 years, while also performing, writing, marketing and managing. I have learned business by being a part of it from the ground up, and been very successful.

I bring you the sum of my experience, a team spirit, a gregarious personality, creativity, and a learned attention to detail.

I am ready for the next challenge.

Patricia A. Elliott

Work Experience

Aug 1989 - present

chicago, IL (US)

VP
Redmink Productions
Sep 1977 - Jan 1995

los angeles, CA (US)

Performer
Freelance Actor
Worked consistently as a performer in the following areas: theatre, film, commercials, print, trade shows, live training, and award shows. Was a dancer on approximately 12 award shows, a member of Lonny Chapman's Group Repertory Theatre in LA, did several national commercials, was a member of LaSalle Street Management Theatre in Chicago, a training company, and was a regular on the show "Fridays". After moving to Chicago, I segued nicely into the commercial market and print, as well, and continued to work in theatre until my entertainment company took off, about 1993. I then continued to work with that company until present.
Sep 1983 - Jan 1993

wilmette, IL (US)

Sales Representative
Larry Hanauer and Associates
I worked the North Shore area of Chicago, selling wholesale to gift stores and chains 15 lines of high end giftware and stationary. Although I was only working part-time, about 20-25 hours a week, I consistently had the highest sales of our group. I also organized and help design the trade show booths at McCormick (we typically took up 8-10 booths), worked those booths, and help procure many new lines at the annual gift show in New York.
Sep 1977 - Jun 1981

champaign, IL (US)

Instructor
University of Illiinois
Taught theatre, beginning acting and speech while a graduate student, 1977-1979, did summer stock between school years, then was offered the posltion of theatre instructor at the University High School, a lab school. Also taught creative dramatics at Leal School a few days a week. In a school with only 125 students I created a program that was dynamic, included three full productions a year, and utilized the talents of over half the school. I also took over 65 students to the three-day Theatre Conference in Bloomingdale both years, where they were so enthused that they came back and built new lights, a sound booth, and light board for our theatre.

Education

1973 - 1997
Master's - Theatre and English
University of Illinois
1968 - 1973
Bachelor's - Theatre and English
Purdue University
I created a new course for myself, combining an English and a Theatre degree, while recording reading for a pair of blind brothers attending school. I also wrote for the school paper, was a member of a sorority, and participated in over 20 plays---as an actor, director, costumer and choreographer. After my senior year I was chosen as the assistant director for the University's first summer stock program.