A Star is Born: From the JCC to "Les Miz" for Talented Pre-Teen

By Sari Steinberg
(Complete article appeared in Chicago Jewish News)

(Mom’s note: Our daughter, Elianna, who was diagnosed at 3 months with ARPKD, has been busy pursuing a theatre career for the last five years.  She has been appearing in children’s community theatre, until this spring when she landed a part in a local professional production of “Les Miserables.” This is an article that appeared in a local newspaper about her part in the show.   It has been so exciting for us, and it reminds us that our children with ARPKD are, first and foremost, children, and do not have to be held back from going anywhere their hard work, talent and determination can take them.)

A tiny new star has been discovered, but not by the leading astronomers of our time. The shining new talent on the Chicago-area theater scene is 11-year-old Elianna Kate Schnittman…At 50 inches tall and 55 pounds, this tiny performer brings twice the talent you'd expect of a preteen and convincingly portrays a child half her age.

Elianna -- or Ellie, to friends and family -- is juggling life as a sixth grader at Northbrook Junior High, a religious school student at Congregation Solel in Highland Park, and a professional performer playing Young Cosette in "Les Miserables" … at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire [Illinois].

In Young Cosette's soulful solo, "Castle on A Cloud," Ellie conveys the optimism of an exceptional child whose erstwhile caregivers abuse and enslave her. With the opening phrase, "There is a castle on a cloud," Ellie's voice permeates every inch of the intimate atmosphere of Marriott's theater-in-the-round. "I like to go there in my sleep/Aren't any floors for me to sweep/Not in my castle on a cloud./There is a room that's full of toys/There are a hundred boys and girls/Nobody shouts or talks too loud/Not in my castle on a cloud."

Ellie rose to this minor stardom through her work in many an adorable role on stage at the Mayer Kaplan Jewish Community Center -- from Gretl ("The Sound of Music") to Jojo ("Seussical the Musical"). The Marriott production marks her professional debut.

"I've had the pleasure of directing Ellie in eight productions over the past four and a half years," [JCC Young Actors Ensemble Director] Terri Roth says. "Our first show together was 'Sound of Music,' in which she played Gretl. There were a handful of adorable seven- and eight-year-olds to choose from for this role, but Ellie really stood out. She had -- and still has -- a crystal clear singing voice but really, it was her presence that was the most impressive. Although she had never done a show, she came in and, within the first thirty seconds, communicated total poise and professionalism. Even at that age she had the poise of a 30-year-old. But she also has a wonderful playful spirit. “

Though she is now a seasoned actress and singer, Ellie's first professional audition was more difficult than her initiation at the JCC.

"Oh my gosh, it was really scary. I didn't think I had any chance of getting in. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I tripped on my way in. I said "My name is Ellie Snit -- Schnittman." I set the tempo of my song too fast. It was 'The Second Star to the Right.' I'll never sing that song again, because we practiced it so many times."

Ellie's strong soprano voice and unmistakable effervescence clearly overshadowed any lack of polish.

"When I got the call-backs, I thought, 'Yes!'" -- Ellie's arm retracts in a triumphant motion. "I did it! I did it!'"

The next step was "very intimidating. There were 11 girls, and they'd all done professional productions." 

Still, Ellie's talent and charisma shone through. After a series of call-backs and four "Camp Les Mis" workshops, the children who were vying for lead roles sang in front of most of the show's directors.

Two days later, the call came while Ellie was at school.

[Ellie’s mom] Laurie remembers it well. "(Lead Artistic Director) Andy Hite said, 'We had our eye on her since her first audition.'" And, Laurie says, Associate Director Rachel Rockwell had immediately made note of Ellie's "sweet little voice."

Ellie got the news when she arrived home from school. "When my mom told me, I was like, 'Oh my G-d!' I was bouncing off the ceiling!"

"I'm not in the least surprised that she was cast as Young Cosette," Terri Roth says, "and I'm trying to not be biased, but I think she really was better than most I've seen. All of the Cosettes I've seen have sung well but usually they're sort of vacant-looking, trying to appear Hugo-esque. Ellie was really clearly picturing her 'castle in a cloud' -- she was in the moment."

It may be a challenge to be in the moment, when that moment passed centuries ago in history and there is present-day homework looming. Or maybe that enhances Ellie's ability to appear oppressed.

"School is hard," Ellie admits. "You go to bed late and you wake up early. You don't feel like doing your homework when you're at the show because it's so much fun."

It's worth the extra effort, Laurie says. "Les Mis has been amazing. The caliber of talent that Ellie is getting to work with is something I think she'll remember for the rest of her life. The other actors have been so kind to the children, and what she is learning from the directing staff is so valuable."

Many of Ellie's acting friends -- besides those she has made at the Marriott -- as well as her junior high's sixth, seventh, and eighth grade choirs, have come to see her in "Les Mis."

"She's now a minor celebrity at school," her mom says.