Merry Ellefson

Merry Ellefson is a playwright who works on projects intended to connect us and challenge our perspectives. Her most recent play, Home Not Less, explored homelessness in Alaska and was carved from over 100 statewide interviews. The production, followed by post-show discussions with stakeholders, played in Juneau and Anchorage. Merry moved to Alaska to work with and manage Perseverance Theatre (for 18 years); she’s an individual artist and collaborates with individuals and groups such as Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Glory Hall Emergency Shelter, and Sayeik Gastineau School, in order to engage diverse audiences. Some of her other past premieres include: Lifetime to Master: A Play About Homelessness in Juneau, (Generator Theater). Inspired by interviews with 50 people from Juneau. The Red Wolf, interdisciplinary piece created for and with K-8 students at Juneau Community Charter School. Xatak’aan (The Land Behind the Little Island), inspired by Paula Savikko’s second grade class, Reader’s Theatre performances at Perseverance Theatre (PT). Kooshda’kaa: Stories of the Land Otter, Summer Theatre Arts Rendezvous, PT. Sea of Strength, STAR, PT. Voyage: A world premiere about four generations of Filipino Alaskans, PT. The Woman Who Married the Bear, in collaboration with Sealaska Heritage and advised by Ernestine Hayes, STAR, PT.