FTG Life Member Spotlight - Alma Ellis by Grant Kennedy

Alma Ellis

ALMA ELLIS

Putney, England is a southwestern suburb of London and it was here, in 1942 that Alma entered the world. That year was a particulary busy year with bombings, but Alma got through that unscathed.

It was here that Alma met Dan and in 1963 they were married and lived in Putney. From Putney they also lived in Glasgow and Nottingham before they emigrated to Australia in 1967.

Alma and Dan first lived in Carrum, then Seaford and ended up in Frankston where they are now.

Early Years

Alma started young! She is pictured here at the age of about 9 in a nativity play. Alma is the one in the middle!

One of Alma’s other early experiences in acting was in a radio play with Southern Radio. She had met up with (the late) Alan Tonkin (also a member of FTG) and the two of them went to Moorabbin to record the play at the studios.

It was their son Daniel that brought Alma and Dan into FTG as Daniel, who had enjoyed school productions, answered an advertisement in the Frankston Standard to audition for a play FTG were producing. Dan drove his son Daniel to the audition only to be told he was too young, however, the director eventually persuaded Dan to go into that play… and the rest is history. (Daniel by the way went on to be in many productions with various theatre companies including FTG and PLOS).

Alma recalls that at one stage, at their home, she had Dan and FTG members rehearsing a play downstairs whilst upstairs, Daniel and various PLOS members were rehearsing away dancing and singing for their current production.

Their house was very active for awhile!

In the 1980’s Alma performed in a One Act play at The Shed and she also performed in a 3 Act play alongside Ken Painter and Cynthia Dawson. Alma recalls being cast in a play which was directed by Pam McNeilly.

Alma decided that her calling was in the backstage area and to quote Alma “One actor in this family is quite enough!!”

For many years she worked Front of House as well as doing make up, which she did for 10 years, having previously completed a course in the art of makeup.

She is pictured here in action alongside actor Daryl Davidson.

Wardrobe was an area that also benefitted from Alma’s skills for several years and, she received an award one year for her efforts in that important area.

Over the past few years, Alma has always been around to support the shows that FTG present and “treading the boards” has continued in the family with Dan and their grandson Jack, appearing in several of FTG productions over the past few years.

When asked if there were any ‘moments’ that happened on stage, Alma recalled the one that we are all too familiar with and that is… forgetting her lines!

However she rallied on and all was well.

Alma and Dan

This photograph of Alma and Dan, in one of his ‘famous’ jackets, was taken at an FTG dinner around late ‘80’s early ‘90’s.

Alma and Dan have contributed so much to Frankston Theatre Group and we hope their support and involvement continues on.